Author Archives: Justin Humphreys

About Justin Humphreys

Justin is the Student Pastor at Springcreek Church in Garland, Texas. He is strong believer in utilizing, recruiting and training volunteers and also an avid baseball fan, especially with his beloved SF Giants. Married to his wife Jen since July of 2007, they are expecting their first child, Joshua, in June of 2010.

Don’t Jump the Shark!

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What are you great at?  What are you known for? Why is your company successful?
Keep doing it.
When Fonzie jumped over a shark, he coined a term that we still use today: Jumping the shark. It refers to the point where a TV show goes off its designed path in order to reenergize the series.
A current TV Show that has come under fire for “jumping the shark” is American Idol. They have stopped doing the things that made the show unique and relevant.
Leaders need to understand what makes them unique and relevant and they need to stay true to their goals and priorities. There is no need to try to reinvent yourself or your company when when you are on top.
Don’t jump the shark in your leadership!

Pizza Leadership

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You can learn about leadership everywhere, you can even learn from a pizza company. I was shocked when I saw Domino’s new advertising campaign that told people that they had reinvented their pizza based on criticism they had received from a focus group.
Some leaders disregard their critics. They choose not to listen, see or change when a customer tells them that their company is missing the mark. Domino’s did the opposite. Here are a few steps that all leaders can learn from Domino’s about improving results:
  • They got feedback and believed it: Leaders need to take the time to listen to their costumers and employees and they need to trust what they hear.
  • They evaluated the information and made a plan: Leaders need to evaluate the data that they receive and then they need to make a plan to change.
  • They worked hard to change: Change is never easy but great leaders are always willing to change when the result will be happy costumers and employees no matter how difficult it is.
  • They stood behind their product: Leaders and their employees need to be proud of what they do. After hearing critics and data; after working hard to change, a company needs to be proud of the result.
In a business world where the costumer is not always right anymore, Domino’s is a breath of fresh air.

The Bipartisan Leader

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A good leader learns to hear both sides of an issue. Leaders will consistently face opposition to their goals and ideals. That being said, leaders need to find time to sit down with their opponents to have an open an honest conversation so that all parties can move forward together to accomplish a goal.No matter what your position is on the health care debate, you can agree that on February 26, 2010 an amazing thing happened. This nation saw two sides if a debate sit down and honestly discuss their differences with one another, they even televised it. There was mutual respect  for one another even though there was a difference of opinion.

Great leaders don’t just lead those who agree with them, they also lead those who disagree with them. Leaders need to work hard to win over those who oppose them or at least convince them to follow even though the two sides might not see eye to eye. A great leader never backs down from their ultimate goals but they also never miss an opportunity to win others to the cause.

‘I am Sorry’

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Leaders have evidently learned how to apologize. The last few weeks we have seen some prominent people apologize for their actions. As of late Mark McGwire, Tiger Woods, and Toyota executives have all had to make public apologies for their actions and decisions.

Unfortunately, the public has not received any of these statements with acceptance. They were said to be vague, insincere, or just too late. People are rarely satisfied with an apology from a leader. They always want more information, emotion, or dirt. The most important action people want to see from an apologetic leader is this: RESULTS.

A leader who says, “I am sorry,” needs to produce some results. Apologizing does not mean anything unless it is followed by a change in actions. Everyone is watching to see what happens next for companies like Toyota because words are only backed up by results.

People do look to their leaders to own their mistakes. More importantly, they are looking for their leaders to change their actions.