Rescue Mission Blog

Who are you? How your personhood shows through online and in reality

  

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Who you are is more than the just the words you say or write, it's also the attitudes, moods, and perspectives that are conveyed.  

The other day I told a friend to send a silly text to his wife.  When she received the text she responded, "Is David sending this? That sounds like David"  

Was it just the words on the screen? No, it's that we all project who we are, what we believe, in what we say.

Whether on Facebook, Twitter, in a letter, speech or facial expression, we are sending people messages, but what messages are we sending?

For many, if you follow Facebook or twitter, the message seems to be, "I'm afraid", "I'm easily offended", "I'm a victim", "I like mocking people", "I love mocking politicians", and so on.  

Is this new? Not in the least.  But what is new is that we have the ability to create a personalized commentary on the world at large, a ticker of observations in real-time.  For many people, that ticker is increasingly negative, pessimistic, snarky and depressing.  

Be aware of the messages you send and communicate, and feel free to edit the negative messages people want to send you. I know I do.

What are you doing to send positive, reinforcing, life-giving messages to others?

David Curry

What I'm Thankful for

  

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Gratitude isn't just counting your blessings, it has the capacity to multiply your appreciation and thankfulness.

It's certainly true in my case.  This year as I think of all I'm thankful for, the list is long.  Here are just a few highlights:

1. My family.  I'm so thankful for those around me who share life with me and make it fun.  My wife, my boys, and all the rest of my family are such a blessing.  Don't fail to appreciate those closest to you.

2. The team I work with at the Rescue Mission.  I'm blessed to work with great, dedicated people.  Our staff, board, and volunteers are some of the best people on earth and I'm glad to work along side of them.

3.  Friends.  I'm so blessed to have close friends.  I've seen recently that most adults don't have even one best friend.  How sad is that? I couldnt' do it without my group of best friends.  They keep it real and they great fun.

4. My church.  I'm fortunate to have a great church that refreshes and challenges me on a spiritual level.  I appreciate my church and all the great community it has brought to my life.

5.  Health.  I've had a few aches and pains, but basically I'm blessed to be healthy every day.  This is one not to be taken for granted.  

6. Community  I love living in the northwest and am so glad for beautiful fall days.  Living in Tacoma is great.  Our neighborhood has great restaurants, coffee shops, a little movie theater, it's a great place to live.

There's so much more I could list, but I wanted to just give you some highglights, not bore you to death.

What are you thankful for?

David Curry

What I'm Learning: books & etc.

  

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Occassionally I like to share a few things that I've read, watched or listened to that were outstanding or in some way remarkable.  Here's a list of some of those things.

Books

Steve Jobs. I have written a previous blog on this subject, but it bears repeating that Steve Jobs is a great book on an interesting character.  Totally unreasonable, innovatiing character. Read it.

Socrates. Another great, much shorter, biography is that of Socrates by Paul Johnson.  A concise and readable recap of how this father of modern philosophy thought and work.  Paul Johnson is the master of short biographies on interesting historical characters and I highly recommend this book, even if you thought you'd never have an interest in Socrates, Plato and that crew.

Fifteen Minutes with Q & A.  My friend John Pearson recommended this book on public speaking to a group I was wiht and I bought it on his recommendation. I wasn't disappointed.  A great little book on how to make a great business speech.  I've been a public speaker a long time, but like many, I still need to keep improving and this book was terrific.

Media

Nero Wolfe.  A few decades ago Rex Stout wrote a set of mysteries about an overweight, lazy, genius detective and his wise-cracking sidekick.  The books are terrific, and I've listened to a few on audiobook.  But A&E put out a video series that is available on Netflix that I have to recommend again and again. It's fun, interesting and true to the books. Watch the series.

Do you have anything you'd recommend to me? I love to get your favorite books, shows, etc.

David Curry

Book Review: Life Lessons from Steve Jobs bio

  

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Since his passing few weeks ago, people have been revisiting the life and times of Steve Jobs.  As I've said in a previous post, his life and passing are significant for this generation in the same way Einstein, Ben Franklin and Alexander Graham Bell were in their generation.

Just this week his authorized biography, Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson, came out and i read it in just a few seatings, despite the fact that the book is over 600 pages long.  Yes, it's that good. Steve lead a fascinating life and his way of looking at the world was totally unique.  

Most people will read it for the interesting tidbits of history on the development of technologies that have and will change the way life works, and on that note its very interesting.  But I felt some of the largest lessons of the book were the life lessons that is are embedded in his story.  It's hard to read his story without having to do some thinking about how he lived his life, not just about the tools he created.

Here are a few of lesson I took from his story:

1.  Standards matter.  One of the thread that runs throughout the book is that Steve held really high standards, and this was part of his genius in creating really unusual technological impacts in his lifetime.  He often refused to settle on something he found below his standards, even when everyone else was ready to give in and move on.  He held to his principles and was thus able to jar loose the status quo.

2.  People matter more.  unfortunately, one of the lesson learned was that he often belittled people needlessly to get his way, most often earlier in his life.  It's hard to imagine he couln't have acheived the outcomes without crazy outbursts and ridiculing people when they were working hard.  

3.  Focus on things you love.  He was really passionate about creating great products and he did.  Creating great products isn't my passion, but I could see the lesson for my own life, go all in.  

4.  Get first things first.  Steve Jobs was a seeker, who sought spiritual peace throughout his life, but it seemed like faith was something he was putting second in his life.  His biographer noted that although he studied Zen buddhism, it didn't seem to bring him any peace and tranquility personally.  My personal faith in Jesus, which I've been very public about, has given me so much solace and guidance through the difficulties and uncertainties of life that I can't help but feel the spiritual part of life is the primary part of who we are.  

I'm curious what lessons you may have pulled from his biography, life, and work.  What do you think of my list and what would you disagree with?  Let me know.

David Curry

Book Review: Introvert Advantage

  

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The Introvert Advantage: How to Thrive in an Extrovert World by Marti Olsen Laney (Psy.D)

Many people are under the impression that introverted people are all shy, wallflowers who can't bring themselves to speak in public and don't have many friends.  Not so.  Introverts are charged by the internal world of ideas, impressions and emotions whereas extroverts are energized by the outer world.  Introverts are often public people, outgoing funny, and have great social skills.

The book Introvert Advantage gives a great overview of what it really means to be an introvert and how to successfully navigate relationships, business, leadership and more as an introvert.  It's good stuff and I'd recommend it to those who are curious about the introvert/extrovert differences and those who manage people.

As an introvert myself, but one who loves to be around people and has various leadership roles, I found it affirming and instructive.  Here are a few of my take aways:

1. You gotta be yourself. Society tells most introverts that extroversion is the only way to live, but many people are wired that way and it feels false to them. This book will encourage introverts to understand and be comfortable with who God designed them to be.

"It is the chiefest point of happiness that a man is willing ot be what he is" Erasmus

2. Both Extroverts and Introverts must know their own temperament.  So often the challenge introverts have is that they don't know or plan ways to refuel their energy on a regular basis.  Introverts need to plan and schedule time away from others to think, plan, an refuel.  Knowing yourself and how you best work is part of leading a healthy life.

3.  Introversion and Extroversion are not Yes or No. Many people, including myself in this, are introverts in measures of degress. You can't easily say all introverts are alike or that they're all shy and reclusive.  Don't pigeon hole yourself or others, just be yourself and enjoy others for who they are.

4. Appreciate the differences. Where would life be if we were all the same? It certainly wouldn't be very much fun. Introverts, love and appreciate your outgoing, extrovert brethren. Extroverts, love and appreciate your introvert friends as they're often helping you to really enjoy life to the fullest.

Recommendation: Great book. Take a look at it.

David Curry

Learning from Presidential Leadership for Non-Profit Leaders.

  

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Throughout my adult life I've studied and read history about the lives and leadership of our Presidents.  While I've not read about all the presidents, I've certainly read biographies on all the modern Presidents from Teddy Roosevelt until the present day, reading multiple biographies on most.  Then I've punctuated the past generations presidents by reading biographies of Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Jackson, and many of Lincoln.  Those that I've not read entire biographies on, I've read surveys of their presidencies and the highlights of their leadership.

In my travels I've also been blessed to see presidential libraries, the homes of some of the presidents and many historical sites. 

As such, I've come to have a few favorites, which aren't based on political persuasion so much as my appreciation of the difficulty of the decision's they made, in the time in which they lived. And with the impact they had on the country.  

Here are just a couple:

Abraham Lincoln: Certainly I'm not alone in this, and the sheer number of books written about Lincoln and his irreplaceable role in our countries history attests to the fact that he was our greatest president.  In the past I've written about why I love Lincoln, which you can read here, but with every book I read about him I'm more impressed with the way he stood up under the pressure he was facing, and while he was a man of his generation, how he did the right thing even though it was against the current.  Even while doing that, he kept our country from breaking into two separate countries, which was a very real possibility at the time. 

Teddy Roosevelt: Having just read the third part of Edmund Morris's trilogy on the life of TR, I feel like I know a lot about this president.  There's much to admire.  In particular, I really enjoy the liveliness with which he conducted himself.  He wasn't sleep-walking through life, not before the presidency, certainly not during his time in office, nor afterward.  He lived life to the fullest. I encourage people to read about this life, you won't be bored.

Eisenhower: For me, Eisenhower is fun to read about because of the unique way he developed into a world-class leader, from a late bloomer and low-acheiver relatively speaking.  When he was forty, he was convinced his career was going nowhere, but within a short term of years he was the most powerful military man in the world during WWII and then President of the United States.  He was also a master manager, in the way that only a general could be I suppose and developed a great ease with command that was developed under incredible pressure. Very interesting man.

While the first three presidents were Republicans, I've got lots of Democratic presidents that I admire as well. I loved reading David McCullouch's book on Truman, who was a president that I really admired both for the way with which he lead, but also for the way in which he lead rather selflessly.  

There are lots of great books on Kennedy, who is inspiring in the way that he captured the imagination of his generation, which is a big part of leadership.  

Woodrow Wilson is also a very consequential and interesting president, whom I find lots to admire.  Although, since I'm a die hard Teddy Roosevelt fan, I can't quite get really excited about. (all TR fans understand that)

Who are the presidents you enjoy learning about and why? 

David Curry

What Shakespeare Could Teach Non-Profit Leaders

  

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Shakespeares plays have had an enormous impact on art for generations, but perhaps his biggest impact was on our language itself.  Many people don't realize that Shakespeare is credited with coining over 1700 of the words we commonly use in our language today.  Before he used them, they just weren't part of our vocabulary.

How did he do it? Sometimes he made them up out of whole cloth, other times he added two existing words together to add a new or slightly better meaning.  Often he would make nouns into verbs or verbs into adjectives.  He was taking creative license to build the meaning of his plays and scripts using whatever raw tools the language gave him and, when there wasn't any current tool to use, creating new literary tools/words.

In the same way, non-profit leaders need to be creating healthy organizations using whatever tools they have available to them, and when there just doesn't seem to be the right answer readily available, sitting down and trying to create solutions that no one else has tried before.

Undoubtedly this was a rough discipline for Shakespeare, but then he did make his mark through his work. If we hope to do so, we'll have to do the hard, creative labor to make the world a better place by creating new, creative ways to reach those we serve by modifying, changing, morphing, and imagining new and better ways to help others.

David Curry

Prioritizing a Priority for Non-Profit Leaders

  

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People in general have trouble with priorities. Many people don't prioritize, some talk about priorities but couldn't articulate them if asked, and some know their priorities...but their priorities never seem to get put first in reality.

What's the matter?  

Priorities are not just abstract ideas, priorities must be reflected in your daily schedule.  In my own life, I often think of exercise and self-care as a priority, but it's irregularly put into my schedule. Apparently, it's not a priority (it should be).

Don't kid yourself, make something a priority and then schedule time for it.

Non-profit leaders, what's the number one priority for your organization? A recent study I saw suggested money/fundraising was the number one concern of non-profit CEO's. Is this priority reflected in your schedule? Are you spending time on those things which absolutely MUST get done? 

What keeps us from putting our self-stated priorities into our daily schedules? Let me know what you think.

David Curry

Things I'm Learning

  

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It's been some time since I've had a chance to share a few of the many resources that I've been reading, viewing and experiencing that are influencing my thinking on leadership, management, inspiration and more.  It's not because I've not been reading, but rather it's due to the fact that I've just not been excited about any books to the point where I'd recommend them.  This probably isn't even a reflection so much of the content, as if could be that I've probably read too many of the types of books of late.  At any rate, here's a few things I think you'd find interesting.

Scrabble for Ipad

This one is just for fun, but I highly recommend Scrabble for the Ipad. It's fun to see a company figure out how to make their old games, new and fun for the next generation.  Basic idea: Ipad is the scrabble board, everyone uses their smartphone scrabble app as their tile rack. It's fun, easy and cool.  Never in a million years could I get my boys to play Scrabble with a board, but they love this game.  A++++.

Monocle Magazine. A european briefing on global affairs, business, culture and design, this magazine is always full of interesting perspectives on the world at large.  Not all of it is golden and it has a european take on the world you might not agree with, but this is one of the rare magazines which is going against the flow of dropping circulation of magazines and is actually flourishing. There's a reason for it, it's good and interesting.  In a world economy where Newsweek sells for $1, it's worth studying the handful of cases where a magazine is making money and asking, "why?".  

Chasing Stars: The Myth of Talent and the Portability of Performance. By Boris Groyburg

This book seeks to answer the question "Are those who excel in the workplace free agents with highly portable skills, or is their performance primarily driven by the adept use of the resources of the organization in which they thrive?"  Most people think that they could do their jobs anywhere, but this study shows that environment matters bigtime.  Who might want to read this? Anyone who is ever tempted to try to hire a A+ player from another team/company and expect that person to perform to the same level on your team.  Might not happen, unless you understand what makes people excel. Good book.

What are some things you've been learning, reading, doing that I might find interesting?

David Curry

What I’m Learning: How You Think Matters

  

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You’ve got to “read to lead” as the old saying goes and I’ve been running across quite a few good articles showing a body/mind/spirit connection. So many people seem to think that their words are somehow disconnected from the way they feel and from the circumstances of their life, but this just isn’t so. Here’s how this works, What you say forms what you believe (and visa versa), what you believe shapes your actions and your actions shape your future and have shaped your present. Here’s an interesting article on the Placebo affect which once again proves that What You Think, changes your physical chemistry.

It even works in reverse, your body posture affects how you feel and think. Here’s an article on an interesting study from Ohio State on how BODY POSTURE AFFECTS CONFIDENCE.

For years I’ve been fascinated with how creative people think differently from others. Here’s a great article from Harvard Business Review on How Innovators Think. I love it.

Ever wonder why scripture talks so much about thinking about things that are right, just, pure, good and will build up, edify, encourage? Here’s an article in the New York Times that shows how your brain can be like a vicious circle, turning over bad (or good) information over and over again.

As a little bonus, here’s a link to a page that lists great websites to watch GREAT THINKERS.

Take the time to read these articles, keep growing and learning

DC