Hey Orrin,

I just wanted to say thanks to you and Chris for your leadership passion! It is true that if you want to experience growth you just need to lead followers, but if you want to multiply you need to lead leaders. Your book is a blueprint on how to lead leaders and I truly appreciate your contribution into my life.

Keep Leading!

Matt

Matt, Thank you so much. I am so proud of so many for stepping out of their comfort zone and growing into the leader God intended them to be. The future is bright! Keep growing and learning. thanks, Orrin

Orrin,

Thanks for your response! I had a question about a section in your book that I asked my Dad, Terry Franks, and he said I should ask you if I ever got the chance. In the Tri-lateral Leadership Ledger where you say people can grow their leadership capacity by growing in the areas of Character, Tasks, and Relationships: There are a lot of leadership books out now that I have read that talk about focusing on your strengths and not your weaknesses in regards to a persons skillset not necassarily attitude. For example, I am a terrible singer and if I even began to sing I would brighten up the stage when I got off, but if I were to apply the Tri-later Leadership Ledger to a skillset I am terrible in, would it just propel me to really bad. My question is: By applying the Tri-Later Leadership Ledger principles to my "strength zone", could I expect more effective results than applying it to something I am average in? I ask that question only because if I am doing something in my "strength zone" do you think I would have an innate sense of fulfillment , therefore being more effective in my relationship building skills, carrying out tasks better, and honing in my character? Could you elaborate on that?

Thanks,

Matt

Matt, That is a great question. There are some non-negotiables in leadership and the Tri-Lateral Leadership Attibutes are non-negotiables. You can be a poor organizer, an average speaker, or a reserved personality and still be a great leader. But you cannot be poor in character, poor in relationships or poor in execution of task and be a leader. On the negotiables you should delegate to someone else's strength. On the non-negotiables, you must improve these areas. That is why there are only 3 areas in the Tri-Lateral because they are majors. I am poor at many things and delelgate to someone else's strength, but I cannot delegate my personal leadership. My leadership is what allows me to develop other leaders. I cannot delegate the Tri-Lateral leadership to anyone else. This is an inside job and every leader has to do it themselves. Great thoughts! I can tell you are really studying it. Thanks, Orrin

Thanks Orrin. I appreciate your insight on the non-negotiable attributes. Specifically the part about how you cannot delegate your own personal leadership. I read a quote that said "a leader is not responsible for their people, they are responsible to their people." In other words you get the best from others when you give the best of yourself.

I am totally with you and agree that someone can be the most talented individual in an area, but without Character, Tasks, or Relationships you cannot grow to your maximum potential because it is built on a "flabby foundation" and eventually a person would be exposed. I am about 120 pages into the process of writing a leadership book and I am trying to learn and effectively communicate a section about "Getting out of your comfort zone and into your Talent Zone" so this dialouge has added tremendous value to me. If you don't mind I have a few more questions to ask you:

1. Would you say those are the top characteristics you look for in "potential leaders" that allow you to decide to invest time into mentoring them? Are there any additional indicators you look for in potential leaders?

2. Above you said a leader can be an average speaker, but still be a great leader. If a leader cannot effectively communicate his or her vision to their people, how do they get "buy-in"? I read somewhere that information is giving out, but communicating is getting through. I also know that nothing great is ever done alone so, do effective leaders that are average communicators attract great people by having a "BHAD" or a great cause that attracts great people?

3. I have heard you say something before that really stuck with me; "you would rather be a servant to a group of leaders versus a leader to a group of followers." What qualities do you think a servant leader posseses? In my book I am writing, I tried to describe them by using the following acrostic: S.E.R.V.E.
Sow seeds that empower others
Embrace multiplication over status
Reflect credit onto others
Value legacy over resume
Expand vision continually

What additional qualities do you think a servant leader posseses?

I definately want to respect your time Orrin so please excuse my long questions. I am feel priveledged you have answered my previous posts.

Thanks,

Matt

Matt, That is great research you are doing. Let me go through and answer the questions. 1. Hunger is the number one attribute. If they are hungry then I will sit down and go through Tri-Lateral leadership with them. I will explain to them that I can forgive anything but repeated lack of character. I don't have time in my life to spend it with unethical people. 2. Public speaking is important but not the difference maker. I do communicate vision on stage, but I actually do more work off stage in molding teams and seeking to understand where leaders want to be. If I had to be avg. at one I would choose public speaking, because I can build a great bond with other great speakers and they can communicate the team's vision for me. I believe there are many speakers that are better on stage, but offstage is where hearts are won. People must buy into leader before they will buy into the vision. 3. I am working on our mentoring book that will cover servant leadership in detail. I like your acrostic and am impressed by your level of understanding. The number one thing to learn leadership is to build a community and go through the school of hard knocks. It can be painful but with a PDCA cycle you will learn. Matt, I believe you are on your way to an incredible leadership journey. I hope this helped! thanks, Orrin

Orrin,

Your comments were extremely helpful! Specifically your comments about connecting with people offstage to win over their hearts. I have heard John Maxwell explain his "Law of Connection" where he said "leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand." In John Maxwell's book, 25 ways to win with people, he talked about a people practice he implements about adding value to people. He says to add value to people you must do 3 things:
1. Value People
2. Know and relate what people value
3. Make yourself more valuable

What type of questions do you ask people that allows you to make a connection with them and touch a heart? In other words do you ask questions knowing what they could become or do you frame your questions in another way? I have been thinking about this question alot because I know significance with people depends on it! As a growing leader I know that success is when I add value to myself, but siginificance is when I add value to others.

Thanks Orrin!

Matt

Hi Orrin,
I shared your book with our minister and he has asked my wife and me to lead a six week discussion group on your book through our church. He asked if we had access to any slides or transperancies. I could certainly have some made with your permission, but wondered if TEAM would be making those available for purchase.
Thanks for the great work in putting the book together. You and Chris have done a marvelous job. I am enjoying tracking down the books in the bibliography.
Thanks, Bob L

Bob, Chris and I have talked about a workbook. Feel free to make slides for your presentations as long as they are not for resale so we follow our contract with Hachette. Very proud of you for stepping up and leading in your church. You are making a difference in your community. This is exactly what leadership development is about! Please pass along my thanks to your Pastor also. Keep leading. thanks, Orrin

Congratulations Orrin & Chris on the #1 position for the second week in a row. It's so exciting to have the rest of the world be let in on our "secret" - we have two of the best leaders in the world, who have their hearts right, and who want to help others improve and expand their realm of knowledge. And, what a phenomenal opportunity we have had to be able to hear both of you speak and to be able to say we've seen these two men, and in hearing your message, to be able to promote a winning book like LLR to others. Congratulations again - and keep climbing!

Ann

Ann, The real congratulations goes to you and the rest of the incredible team of leaders. You are the ones who stepped out of your comfort zone and shared leadership principles with others. I am very proud of everyone and I believe this is their finest hour! You are a true encourager and I know God will bless your balcony person attitude. thanks, Orrin