It was a new experience walking through Disney World with a 6-year-old and “seeing it” through his eyes. It was as if I, too, was seeing it for the first time.
If we borrow from biology, there’s a word for the experience of childlike eyes. The word generally refers to the “retention of juvenile characteristics in adult life.”
Leaders strive to retain neotenic thinking, to see everything, every day, with fresh eyes.
Venture capitalists often recommend a “revolving door test” to struggling startups. I think about this test often when I feel trapped by a business problem.
VCs ask their current CEO to figuratively walk out of the door of their business. Then imagine how the newly hired Stanford Business School graduate would handle the problem facing the team.
The advantage a new leader brings to the team is freedom from the knowledge of history and the burden of emotional attachment to certain systems and processes.
Many churches experience a stall in their growth because of a “this is the way we do things here” mentality. Couple the problem of history, with an emotional holding on to a favorite program or process, and the organization becomes a petri dish for corporate bias and the resulting stagnation.
“Though now we see, darkly.”
Many organizations retain consultants just to show the leaders what others already see. Consultants are not emotionally attached to processes and flunked history classes.
Paul reminded the church in Rome to serve in the “newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter of the law” (Romans 7:6).
I believe the Lord sees His children with a fresh eye every day. As we rise from repentant knees, God knows about the new work set before us. My old ways will not suffice in the pursuit of a new way of living.
Lord, open my eyes. I want to see Jesus, as if for the first time.
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Today’s Scripture
“Jesus stood still and called them, saying, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ They said to Him, ‘Lord, let our eyes be opened.’ So Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him” (Matt. 20:32-34).
Platform Tip No. 115
I’m often asked about the value of a video platform.
For many people, Facebook video or video casting can be beneficial to spreading your message.
But I see two immediate issues. Can you produce daily content and will your audience be able to access the videos on their smart phones?
Video production is not expensive and doesn’t need to be broadcast quality. Like all content, video must be able to connect to a felt need.
It’s the message that matters most. A good message works on every medium … as long as you show up every day.
Do you want to learn more about developing your personal platform?
For my free eBook 7 Reasons Your Organization Suffers from Marketing Malpractice, plus 3 Things to do NOW to Prevent Further Damage, click here.
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