Leaders get things done. They don't merely mobilize others to accomplish great things, they know how to work hard and are willing to keep their head down to do whatever it takes. The only problem is that if you keep your nose to the grindstone too long, you get blood in your eyes. The ability to lead with sustained creativity and clarity requires time and space for reflection.

Sometimes sending an email is really stupid. I know, my Mom tried to teach me that calling someone or something stupid is not very nice. But, I can’t think of any better way to say it. Simply put, there are occasions when you are being stupid to send an email.

A friend said to me, "Some days I feel like I spend my life clicking keys on a keyboard.” Personally, I have a love-hate relationship with email. I use it all the time. It gives me a simple way to share information, ideas, and documents. But, every time I open my mail software it feels like I am putting my lips up to a fire hose. What is a manageable way forward?

This afternoon I will willingly walk in the doors of what I have started calling, “Kerry’s House of Pain.” I know that the front of the building reads “physical therapy,” but honestly I think that is Latin-based code for "place of torture."

At 7:14 this morning, a phone call told me that a very good friend was shot and killed last night. Emotionally I’ve spent the day vacillating between shock, sorrow, anger, and indignation. There are many things I could tell you about my friend, but since you don’t know him I need to write about the personal reflections I cannot escape.

I know, it sounds like the language of a circus barker, "Come see the Flying Zucchini Brothers as they defy gravity." However, I am talking about much more than entertaining circus talk. "Defying gravity," is a terrific description of the way effective leadership teams learn to operate.

I want to talk about having goals and plans. I think they really matter. I am not compulsive about them and don’t let them rule my life, but for me they are essential to living an intentional life. However, there are some complicating factors. How do you balance having goals with being sensitive to the ongoing leading and direction of the Spirit?