Rick Forbus

Monday Mentions 8.16.21

I’m a big fan of Dr. Rick Forbus‘ work. He’s helped me and our team develop and grow in significant ways thru coaching and training. His latest book has to do with the secret sauce to leadership influence. I just started it and can already tell it’s going to be really helpful.

From Amazon:

Influence is the difference between mediocre and great leaders!
Likability is the “secret” that drives leadership influence to its highest potential.

Grow in your likability.
Grow in your influence.
Grow in your leadership.

This book tells you how to be likable and goes in depth to put forward how to develop your organization’s greatest asset; its talent force.

A Lesson I’m Learning

One of our jobs is to manage the way people perceive us. We all “show up” in certain ways. Some days, I’m energetic. Some days I’m focused. Some days I’m drained or not feeling well. No matter the circumstance, I still need to be aware of how I’m showing up to others. And, as best I can, show up as my best self. If there is something that is keeping me from showing up how I want to, I need to be willing to explain it to the people I’m with. Or else, they will likely misinterpret what they are seeing.

It reminds me of the questions Jeff Henderson asks: What’s it like to be on the other side of me?

A New Podcast I’m Digging: The Positive Talk Podcast

My friends Chuck Allen and Julie Homrich have a fantastic new podcast out called The Positive Talk Podcast. They release new episodes every Thursday — definitely worth subscribing to!

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

It does not matter how strong and well prepared you are if you have no direction.” — Yulia Peralta

Monday Mentions 3.29.21

A Book I’m Reading – The Glorious Pursuit

I started reading this book last week. Some days I read a section or two. Other days I read entire chapters. My goal in reading this type of book is to really absorb the content and allow it to change me. This book will really help you become more like Jesus.

From Amazon:

“When we practice the virtues of Christ,” writes bestselling author Gary Thomas, “we become who God created us to be.” In this classic book of spiritual formation, we encounter true discipleship―the life we were made for―by observing Jesus in his daily life: his interactions with the people around him, his reactions and responses to spiritual warfare, his thoughtful engagement of complicated questions about faith and profound temptations. Jesus embodied the virtues that God has invited us all to cultivate. This book becomes instrumental to our spiritual growth.

There aren’t a lot of books that focus squarely on classical Christian virtues; those that do often approach the topic in a scholarly, detached fashion. Gary Thomas has a deep concern for the spiritual vitality of his audience, and that concern comes through in this book.

Gary Thomas is one of the most celebrated writers on spiritual formation, with beloved books sitting alongside other contemporary classics by authors such as Dallas Willard, James Bryan Smith, and Richard Foster. In his distinct style, he provides a heartfelt survey of humility, chastity, generosity, patience, perseverance, and more, as demonstrated in the life of Jesus. These virtues are for us, and this book draws lines from our lived experience to the lived experience of Christ, and back to us, pointing the way to a more vibrant faith and a more fulfilling life.

A Great Executive Coach – Rick Forbus of Trove Inc.

Coaching has really helped me as a leader, husband, and follower of Jesus. I have had several coaches and mentors over the years and I couldn’t recommend engaging with a coach more. Our leadership team meets with coach Rick Forbus both individually and as a team once a month. He has helped us break through invisible barriers and accomplish more than we expected. Rick is funny, insightful, and a true partner in helping you and your team grow. If you have considered connecting with a coach, I’d highly recommend Rick. It will make a difference!

An App for Keeping Up with Everything – Evernote

I have used Evernote for years. It is essentially my digital filing cabinet. I store meeting notes, web articles, and random writing projects I’m working on. Development seemed to lag for a few years, but I am really looking forward to what Evernote has coming in the future.

A Quote from I’m Thinking About

The deception is that looking like you’re twenty-five when you’re fifty, or fifty when you’re seventy, is somehow worthy of more time and money and attention than growing in Christlikeness, whatever your age may be….The Glorious Pursuit—that is, the spiritual call to practice the virtues in the same way that a body builder lifts weights to shape his or her physique—is a cherished ancient practice in the Christian tradition, though it has grown out of favor as of late. Growing in the virtues won’t save us; but salvation must lead to growing in the virtues or one could question the reality of our salvation experience.” – Gary Thomas

Monday Mentions 5.5.20

A Book that Helps Your Message Get Heard – The 3-Minute Rule

A friend recently recommended this book to me. I think this book will help clarify your message so that it actually gets heard.

From Amazon:

Want to deliver a pitch or presentation that grabs your audience’s ever-shrinking attention span? Ditch the colorful slides and catchy language. And follow one simple rule: Convey only what needs to be said, clearly and concisely, in three minutes or less.

That’s the 3-Minute Rule.

Hollywood producer and pitch master Brant Pinvidic has sold more than three hundred TV shows and movies, run a TV network, and helmed one of the largest production companies in the world with smash hits like The Biggest Loser and Bar Rescue. In his nearly twenty years of experience, he’s developed a simple, straightforward system that’shelped hundreds—from Fortune 100 CEOs to PTA presidents—use top-level Hollywood storytelling techniques to simplify their messages and say less to get more.

Pinvidic proves that anyone can deliver a great pitch, for any idea, in any situation, so your audience not only remembers your message but can pass it on to their friends and colleagues. You’ll see how his methods work in a wide range of situations—from presenting investment opportunities in a biotech startup to pitching sponsorship deals for major sports stadiums, and more.

Now it’s your turn. The 3-Minute Rule will equip you with an easy, foolproof method to boil down any idea to its essential elements and structure it for maximum impact.

Simplify. Say less. Get More.

A Great Keto Snack – Salted Caramel Keto Ice Cream Bars

Just because you’re on keto doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy some treats. Costco recently started selling Keto Pint’s ice cream bars. A friend surprised me with 2 boxes of them. I doubt they’ll last long! They are low in net carbs and taste really good.

A Techy Home Improvement Tool – PREXISO Digital Level

I recently tried using my phone’s level app to hang a cabinet. It was disastrous! My phone ended up slipping off the cabinet and slamming to the floor (multiple times). So I picked up a level. This level includes a digital readout as well as an audible beep. If you pick one up I bet you’ll be checking the level of everything you see!

A Quote I Find Insightful

One thing I learned from my dad is that it’s possible to do almost anything if you are willing to surround yourself with good counsel.” — Michael Hyatt in The Vision Driven Leader

What would you add? Feel free to comment by clicking here.

Monday Mentions 4.27.20

A Really Helpful Leadership Book – Change Your Thinking, Change Your World

My friend and coach, Dr. Rick Forbus, has a great new e-book out that I’m reading now. A lot of leadership books focus on WHAT leaders do and spend (a lot) less time on WHO the leader is becoming. If you have to pick, I’d focus on the WHO.

“Change Your Thinking, Change Your World” is a book about how leaders can view their worlds through the lens of softer leadership topics like feelings, stress, and positivity. Crises bring change and great leaders change the way they see things. I’d encourage you to read this helpful book.

A Fun Challenge – Practically Impossible Clear Jigsaw Puzzle

With all the family time people are having now, puzzles are on the rise in popularity. My father-in-law absolutely loves jigsaw puzzles. We worked on one over the holidays. I recently ordered this clear jigsaw puzzle that I hope to give him soon. I can’t wait to see how long it takes him! (Shhh…. he doesn’t know about it yet.)

A Unique Hoodie for Pet Lovers – Big Kangaroo Pet Pouch Hoodie

Our 10-pound dog, Ollie, has a big bark but he’s a little scaredy-cat. Laura recently ordered this hoodie with a big kangaroo pocket so that she can put him in it when we’re out and about. She wants me to get one too, but so far, I’m holding my ground. 🙂

A Quote I Find Insightful

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” – Helen Keller

What would you add? Feel free to comment by clicking here.

Let’s change the world together!