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James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Orrin Woodward on Fri 07 Dec 2007 07:58 AM EST | Permanent Link | Cosmos

This article is dedicated to Randy Haugen. Randy is one of the best community builders in the leadership world. Randy practices the core leadership principles discussed in this article as well as anyone and a large community has resulted. My respect for Randy grows daily and I am proud to call him a close personal friend.

I would like to take the example of community building from an excellent book from my friend and fellow author James Hunter. The book is The Worlds Most Powerful Leadership Principle and it is a phenomenal book on leadership, character, and a servant attitude. James is one of the clearest writers on subjects that are neglected in today’s leadership training. Hunter understands that true success begins on the inside and flows to the outside. Let me quote Hunter’s book on community:

Community is not a place free from conflict. Indeed, when two or more people are gathered together for a purpose, there will be conflict—at least there should be in a healthy community. Community is a place not of conflict avoidance but of conflict resolution, where members have learned to behave with respect, to listen, to be assertive with one another, to be open to new challenges, and to value the diversity present in any healthy team. ……. Think of how creative and inspired a group could become if the members could just get most of the unnecessary barriers out of the way. Imagine what an amazing problem-solving body a group working in community could become. …….. Genuine community is developed by practicing the proper principles that ensure healthy relationships. Principles such as the Golden Rule, assertive communication, building trust, and others discussed earlier.

Jim is teaching us that it is OK to disagree with one another as long as it is done in a spirit of seeking the right solution - not our solution. If all minds are engaged in seeking solutions the team will come up with better answers to the issues it faces. I love the quote, “None of us is as smart as all of us.” As a leader I want and need to the suggestions and thoughts of the community. It helps me build unified teams when people know they will be heard. It also helps with buy-in when we know all the ideas were discussed before decisions were made. Obviously in states of emergency—there may not be time to have long meetings to discuss all options, but in normal situations this is the best way. Are you building this type of culture and camaraderie on your team? Culture starts with the leader and flows into the group. Jim Hunter uses an example in his book from talking to a former member of the Marine Corps. The marine discusses a culture that is unified around serving one another with loyalty and purpose.

“When one becomes a marine, he or she is proud of what he or she has become. Being marines means we stand for duty, honor, and commitment, and this provides us with purpose and meaning. And once you commit to standing for those things, you would rather die than not live up to your commitment. Finally, I would say the greatest motivator of all is the love and respect we marines have for one another. The last thing you would ever want to do as a marine is let your platoon or your buddy down. Really, Jim, it’s not about doing it for the flag or doing it for the sergeant. It’s about doing it for these people I respect so much.”

Can you imagine a group of people that loved each other enough to sacrifice for each other? This is the type of culture that every team should be striving for. Where the leader has practiced servant leadership into the team and the team desires to give back to the leader. I have watched this dynamic unfold into teams and it is magical to be a part of. EVERY person in leadership should make it a priority to develop a loyal community of servers who understand as the community goes, so go the individuals in the community. Jim Hunter has nailed the key points and his book is worth its weight in gold. Develop yourself as a leader and your leadership will develop the culture of your team! To change the world, we must have thousands of united teams - to have thousands of united teams, we need thousands of united leaders - to have thousands of leaders, we need disciplined individuals willing to grow and change. Are you one of the one of these individuals? God Bless, Orrin Woodward

Do you have an example of a group of individuals that bonded together into a team? (Sports, music, work or business?) Please share your experience of being part of a true team.

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Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Matt Franks on Fri 07 Dec 2007 10:19 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Good Morning Orrin -

Great post! The dedication to Randy Haugen was a perfect example for building communities. About 4 or 5 months ago Gary Libby, my brother Jon, and I drove Randy up to Grand Rapids one night from Ohio. We left Ohio about 10:30 pm and got him to his destination around 2:00 or 3:00 in the morning and then got back home at 8 am or so right in time to go to work. It was a great ride for all of us because we got to talk with Randy and pick his brain about different leadership principles and how he would handle certain situations and why he would handle them that way. It was such a valuable learning experience for me to just ask him questions and then listen. He is a man of principle and there is no surprise on why he has added value to so many people that have had a chance to listen to him speak!

On another note, a great example of a group of people that bonded together as a team would have to be the 1980 US Hockey Team. That movie "Miracle" was a frame after frame example of how to bond a team together. One of the most memorable lines in that entire movie for me was when they were having the tryouts and Coach Brooks already had his roster picked out before the first day of tryouts were over. When his assistant coach looked at the roster Coach Brooks penciled in he said "Coach you don't even have the best players!" Than the memorable line from Coach Brooks was "I am not looking for the best players, I am looking for the right ones." That statement really resonated with me because I had just got done reading a quote by John Wooden that he said to one of his players: "you might be the best player on the team, but if the team doesn't perform the best with you on the floor you can't play."

You also brought up a challenge for change. From my experiences the thing people need to change is the way they look at change! I know that might sound a little blunt, but when you want something that you have never had you have to do something that you have never done. Here are a few change principles I thought might add value to someone or at least help the way one looks at change:

1. Most people see change as a hurtful thing that must be done, instead of a helpful thing that should be done.
Max De Pree said, “We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.”

2. Most people are unwilling to pay the immediate price of change; therefore, they do not change and pay the ultimate price.
Change is uncomfortable. It’s unsettling. Sometimes, it’s downright painful. But in the long run, the alternative is often much, much worse.

3. Most people want to change their circumstances to improve their lives instead of changing themselves to improve their circumstances.

4. Most people change just enough to get away from their problems, not enough to solve them.
They change just enough to escape; and as soon as they escape, they say, “I’m OK now—I don’t have to do anything else.” Unfortunately, this is like painting a rusty car. Sooner or later, the paint wears off, and the rust has only gotten worse.

I also read somewhere this acrostic about C.H.A.N.G.E. that I commited to memory to help me in how I look at change:
Come
Have
A
New
Growth
Experience

Thanks again Orrin for putting this blog together! I have learned so much from you as well as other people's responses on the blog! Truly a leadership development community!

Best,

Matt

Re: Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Orrin Woodward on Fri 07 Dec 2007 01:39 PM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Matt, This was a great post and added some pertinent points to the discussion. It is clear that you have done some homework in leadership and are understanding what you are reading. Keep learning and sharing with others what you learn. thanks, Orrin

Re: Re: Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Matt Franks on Fri 07 Dec 2007 03:07 PM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Thanks for the encouragement Orrin! You have been a great teacher and example of sharing with others what you are learning! Because of your willingness to share and teach you inspire me to contribute as well. You counsel me every morning on my way into the office......you just aren't sitting next to me. In fact you and I have had many conversations, you just let me do all the talking since you aren't in the car with me :)

I believe God will only equip me with what he knows can flow through me, so my mission will always consist of sharing and sowing seeds that will empower others!

I look forward to hopefully meeting you sometime soon and fishing with you one day!

Best,

Matt

Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Paul on Fri 07 Dec 2007 10:38 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Orrin...

"Jim is teaching us that it is OK to disagree with one another as long as it is done in a spirit of seeking the right solution - not OUR solution." (Emphasis on "our" added).

Certainly speaks to me. One of the most difficult things I have to do as a leader is DECREASE my opinion so I can hear the opinions of others. My oldest child has taught me that through raising her. WIth us both being of similar personalities...bold, unyielding, prideful, longing to be right...we both needed to learn to listen and seek RIGHT over OUR RIGHT.

The desire to be right is much different than the desire to be RIGHTeous. The latter couples truth with grace...the former does not.

I'll definitely be using this learned lesson I read about today in the leadership peer group my boss has asked me to start at work. Conflict is unavoidable, infact, should be welcomed with a spirit of expectancy and potential...just like struggle. It is in the conflict resolution that we have growth and improvement in ourselves, our associations and our systems in life.

One of the things I've been trying to work conciously on is the coupling of grace with truth through service and leading by doing rather than saying. (saying if necessary!)

Blessings...
Paul

Re: Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Orrin Woodward on Fri 07 Dec 2007 01:40 PM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Paul, True growth starts with honest self assessment. By being brutally honest you have given yourself permission to grow. Keep it up! thanks, Orrin

Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by edwardpmyers on Fri 07 Dec 2007 11:22 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Orrin, What a wonderful post, and one that I need to be reminded of constantly. I have spent much of my time in leadership capacities trying to avoid conflict almost at all costs. Just a few years ago, a friend who knows how to conduct conflict resolution, began helping me understand the value healthy conflict. It has made all the difference in the world in my leadership style. I still have the temptation to avoid conflict, but more than that, I am learning that when conflict arises (and it is "when" not "if"), I try to evaluate what is going on and make sure that it is a healthy experience. While I am not always successful in this area, I am trying and see some progress. I just received Hunter's book in the mail a few days ago. Your post will encourage me to pick it up more quickly and read it.

Community is important to me as I know it is to all of us. I dream almost dailey of the goal of one million and beyond. I am still in process and my learning curve seems overwhelming, but I sure enjoying the journey. Thanks again for your leadership and inspirational stories.

Edward

Re: Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Orrin Woodward on Fri 07 Dec 2007 01:42 PM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Edward, I have stated many times that conflict will either make you or cost you millions. Learning to take conflict and grow stronger from it is a key to great leadership. I look as conflicts as an opportunity to get to know someone's core beliefs better which will help me serve them better in the future. I could write another whole post or a whole book on conflict resolution! Keep growing. thanks, Orrin

Re: Re: Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by DaveC on Tue 11 Dec 2007 07:07 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Orrin,
Why not? Why not write a whole book on conflict resolution, that is? (That is after the one on mentorship, of course.) This is just a knee-jerk response to your comment.
DaveC

Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Bob Lapo on Fri 07 Dec 2007 07:39 PM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Comment Body:
Awesome article ! A Great topic & often find it difficult to keep short, because it is such a great topic. I consider myself very fortunate , grateful & humbled to have been able to serve in one of the Navy's Spec Ops Programs for my military career. Working in small teams & the nature of the work, Teamwork was paramount. The training at times (most of the time) was extremely challenging to say the least & at the time didn't seem to have much purpose, but I quickly learned that there was specific intent behind all that was done. We were being taught that the strength & capabilities of the Team were far greater than any individual Team member. As we learned that, the Team results improved, training became more powerful, plus alot less push-ups & miles ran. If one was awarded push-ups, we all did push-ups. In order for the Team to be effective it demanded of each individual to continually strive to perform at their very best, have an attitude for excellance, be able to adapt to ever changing situations & the total unfailing dedication to do whatever it takes or they didn't last on the team (had to be that way). Having retired nearly a decade ago, there are two things that I miss; the camaraderie among the people & being part of something much bigger than myself. I feel honored to have been able to serve & am VERY PROUD of the men & women in todays military. Being part of such an awesome group of people full of Pride is very humbling & has taught many lessons many of which carry over to all areas of life, Dignity, Honor, Integrity & the one next to you is more important than you, to name just a few. After retiring I realized that more people than I would of guessed did not share these same values & a W.I.I.F.M. (what's in it for me) attitude has taken over. Once again I find myself Humbled, Honored & very Grateful to be part of a organization that teaches the principles of team work. I often wonder what would it be like if everyone believed that the results from a team of individuals unified by a common cause will accomplish far greater things than any individual alone. Things to ponder? Going to a million & beyond.

Hunter's book sounds like a great read & a perfect gift to put under Christmas tree for my wife & I.

Bob

Re: Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Orrin Woodward on Sat 08 Dec 2007 08:22 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Bob, You understand what it is like to be part of a winning culture and team. I am glad your attitude and winning culture will be shared on this Team! You will love Hunter's book. Keep growing. thanks, Orrin

Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by sarah tino on Fri 07 Dec 2007 07:50 PM EST | Permanent Link

Dear Orrin- The only true team that I am proud of belonging to is THE TEAM. The team within the Team that I belong to is the Patriot Revolution. We have such a tight-knit close bond that I am incredibly thankful for. My mentors have been so influential in helping me to see that I can be a better person and a leader. They are excellent examples of servant leaders. You are a great servant leader that I am inspired by everyday, so thank you for the example you have set. I'm excited to read this book, too!
Sarah

Re: Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Orrin Woodward on Sat 08 Dec 2007 08:23 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Sarah, thank you. You have a special team and together we can all make a huge difference! Keep learning and leading. thanks, Orrin

Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by jbrieger on Sat 08 Dec 2007 07:55 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Orrin

Very moving article!
I think a great example of people coming together as a team. Would be the 2000 movie Remember The TItans.
with Denzel Washington as a newly appointed African-American coach and his high school team on their first season as a racially integrated unit.After going to football camp and learning to know one another the team becomes the unifying symbol for the community. As the boys and the adults learn to depend and trust each other. Showing that no matter what walk of life you are, color of your skin, or beliefs you have. We all can make a difference in large number.

Another example would be like the Men's Leadership in Flint Michigan last night. A very positive and moving experience for my first Men's Leadership meeting. To me all the speakers including Pastor Dickie and yourself Orrin
are similar to the movie in a way that when you bring people together as one. With the right information and inputs we all can make a differences! Only if we are willing to make the choices we need to make, to make that difference. We prove that anyone can change their life and others for the better good of life.

With that said we are going to a million people and make a difference that changes the world for THE GREATER GOOD!

God Bless - Josh Brieger 12/8/07
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Re: Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Orrin Woodward on Sat 08 Dec 2007 08:24 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Josh, Great comments! The movie is very inspiring because the coach unifies the team before the season. Talent alone is not enough that is why great coaches are worth their weight in gold! Keep growing. thanks, Orrin

Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Mike Swan on Sun 09 Dec 2007 11:55 PM EST | Permanent Link

Great post Orrin.
And I just wanted to say thank you so much for the amazing seminar in Saginaw this past weekend as well. I will from now on acknowledge my losses, not necessarily look forward to them, but embrace when they do come. For it is in this way I will know and remember why it is imperative for me to change to win.
I also wanted to share this quote with you I had found at the end of a pretty inspirational music video, "If Everyone Cared" by Nickelback. I believe this quote undeniably represents the Team, and I smiled when I read it. I hope that you can somehow use it to spread throught the Team with your resources, for I am not quite at your level of recognition yet, but I know I will be someday.

"Never doubt that a small group of committed people can CHANGE THE WORLD. For indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margarett Mead

Thanks again, and God bless.
Sincerely,
Mike

Re: Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by Orrin Woodward on Mon 10 Dec 2007 12:08 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Mike, Thank you for sharing. That is an excellent quote! A committed team can make a difference and we will! Keep growing you are on your way. thanks, Orrin

Re: James Hunter - Randy Haugen - Building Communities

by DaveC on Tue 11 Dec 2007 07:40 AM EST | Profile | Permanent Link

Orrin,
Our group is our book club which meets most Monday nights. By the way if any of our club people are reading this HI. This is a small group in a larger group. We are becoming very close and are sharing very much our hearts with each other. Just last night on the way home my wife, Yvonne, commented on how I have grown and become more open since going to these meetings. She also commented on how much Brian has grown, something about a garbage can, no more details here, and he didn't turn all red, as he would have in the past in similar circumstances. And he even says what he is thinking, which Dean Frey said is hard to get him to do on Saturday night as Dean was about six feet from me eating seafood bisque as I was eating a cheese steak. That is another thing about TEAM leaders. They are real and accessible. Dean related how you asked him to speak on the spur of the moment, so to speak, (pun somewhat intended) at the men's leadership on Friday night. You are extremely flexible, as Laurie says. You are always looking for the best way to benefit others. Dean also brought out the importance of supporting all team meetings whether the smaller more informal book club meetings or the other larger more formal types of meetings. TEAM unity is very, very important, Dean says (again apologies to Heimy). As Coach John Wooden and Coach Herb Brooks make very clear, the best players don't always make the best team but the best team always brings out the best in all of its players. The whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Keep on keeping on. Incidentally, a tip for anyone who makes comments on this or any other blog, before I post my comment I have started to copy it and paste in Microsoft Word and do a spell check. I say this not to criticize the spelling or grammar of anyone else, but because I read one of my earlier comments and was very embarrassed that I had made a glaring spelling error and decided to do this to prevent this happening in the future. I just caught two misspellings in this little addition. (Whew, am I glad I ran spell check again.)
DaveC

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