December 19, 2022
Merry Christmas! I know you will probably be spending time with family and loved ones this holiday season and you may be dreading the experience. The discussions about politics, the drama around relationships, and the bickering and strife that go along with these get-togethers can us leave us feeling down and exhausted.
I’d like to encourage you today—Legendary Leaders are carriers of the atmosphere. I know I may not understand all of your family dynamics and specific stresses, but you can change the atmosphere of the environment.
When you walk in, be intentional! Reframe your situation. Instead of dwelling on your own needs, ask yourself, “How can I bless and encourage someone here?” Kobe Bryant said, “I don’t just try to score. The challenge for me is ELEVATING my teammates so WE experience success.” Have a smile on your face, and bring a spark of positivity. When family members want to be negative, don’t join in, but try to steer the conversation in a direction that brings life and encouragement to those who are listening. Like Kobe, try to elevate your environment.
At church we like to tell our team to be “thermostats” not “thermometers.” You might be puzzled and ask, “Pastor, what does that even mean?” What it means is we as Legendary Leaders don’t just take on the temperature of our environment and our circumstances. Instead, like a thermostat, we change it!
“Winners (or leaders) are constantly working on their attitude,” knowing it not only affects themselves but those around them. When my boys were young and they were having a bad day, I never let them pout, stay in their room, or be discouraged. When I saw it, I’d immediately UP the level of my own attitude. I’d say, “Come on guys! Let’s go celebrate and get some ice cream! Sure, today was a bad day, but we learn from it, get better, and go on!”
"The greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change the future by merely changing his attitude.”
— Oprah Winfrey
One of the ways we can change the atmosphere for the better is by getting our teams and families to focus on the right things. One way we do this in the Blunt household is by asking questions. Not just any old questions, but one that gets everyone to focus on gratitude, joy, interests, and fond memories. Here are some from John Maxwell that we use at our family’s Christmas time, for you to use at your own gatherings:
- What’s your favorite Christmas memory?
- If you could have dinner with anyone living or dead, who would it be?
- What’s the best gift you ever received?
- What’s the best advice you ever received?
- What’s the best book you ever read and what made it special?
- Share about a time when you had a need. How was it met?
- If you could meet your great great-grandchildren what wisdom would you pass on to them?
- If you could do a job you are currently not doing, what would you do?
- What’s one thing that you would love to do in your lifetime that no one knows?
Book Recommendation:
The Winning Attitude by John Maxwell
If this Leadership Lifter has blessed you please forward to a friend.
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and don’t forget God is for you!
Pastor Blunt
COTR Marketplace Ministries is a ministry for those in the marketplace and those interested in starting a business. Lifelong learners, entrepreneurs, businessmen, and businesswomen, meet to grow in their leadership and skills. This is a great place to network, build relationships and exchange ideas!
Join us on January 14, 2023 at 5pm in the main campus lobby. We will have guest speaker, acclaimed author, Dr. Eli Jones. He is is an academic administrator, entrepreneur, professor, business leader, and author of "Run Toward Your Goliaths". His faith journey will inspire you to face your insurmountable challenges.
Dinner and childcare will be provided. Purchase your tickets online for just $12 or $15 at the door.