Blog Posts by Courtney McBath

The key to reaching new levels in leadership is maintaining what I call a "teachable spirit"! This process helps us recognize that we still have so much to learn. In our past conversations, we have shared how to nurture leadership growth; the willingness to learn is the core of that growth.

How do you make the most of every learning opportunity?

1. Listen:
   Listening goes beyond hearing something with your ears; it requires us to listen for the purpose of learning. It takes a genuine person to really listen and, hopefully, implement what you have learned. In some cases, you will have to listen to information over and over before it hits home and starts to click. So focus, settle in, and pay attention!
2. Document:
   Have you ever not written something down because you believed you would remember and then you didn’t? Exactly. Documenting is at the core of nurturing learning. Take notes from what you listen to; coaches/mentors, podcasts, books, and other learning mediums. Take time to...

We were not created to navigate life on our own. Especially as leaders, we miss opportunities to develop relationships when we try to do this alone. You cannot nurture people, come up with ideas, and implement them without the camaraderie of community. In our quest to be part of a community, we must be intentional about connecting ourselves to people who nurture our mission, vision, and purpose.

Surrounding yourself with motivation, whether you need it immediately or not, is a meaningful way to cultivate a healthy culture of growth that can improve how you handle your leadership responsibilities. When you surround yourself with positivity, you adopt healthy beliefs and see life as happening for you instead of to you. It is important to remember that inspiration and motivation can come from all types of people!

Look for certain characteristics you want to have on your side:

• Genuine/Positive People: People who have a genuine love for other people and a desire to...

As we approach the Easter holiday and the feeling of Spring is all around, I am excited about the new things that are coming alive! You may not have accomplished all you planned, but you’ve made a valiant start, and you have months ahead to see more progress. Leading and leading well requires us to see the best in ourselves and others. Leading successfully means celebrating the good things and bouncing back from the not-so-good things!

Decide right now to stay motivated even when there are days that challenge your commitment to lead well and lead with joy. Cultivating motivation often begins with knowing when to step back from the struggle and celebrate the great things you’ve been a part of. Establishing a healthy balance between your analysis of your weaknesses and your celebration of your victories is a skill you must master.

I often wonder how Jesus managed to stay motivated, knowing He was on His way to a hideous death on the cross. Somehow, He managed to remain...