Category Archives: bowen family systems theory

Easier said than done

The concept of the self-differentiated leader is attractive. And those who work toward being a self-differentiated leader strive toward a high goal. But while the concept is relatively easy to define, it’s easier said than done when it comes to … Continue reading

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It’s a gender thing (maybe)

During a recent conversation I was asking for help in clarifying a misunderstanding from a colleague. She began our conversation by saying, “It’s probably a gender thing.” I’ve never found that a helpful way to start a conversation. My thought … Continue reading

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Going with what you know

I sometimes share with my students the phenomenon of what I’ve come to call “The Jay Leno Jaywalking Effect.” If you’ve ever watched Jay Leno’s man-on-the-street interview segment called “Jaywalking” you’ve seen the phenomenon. Leno will ask a passerby a … Continue reading

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BFST Wisdom of the Ages IV conference

A friend recently asked if anyone was working on Bowen’s ninth concept, supernatural phenomenon, or, what many are referring to (regrettably) as “spirituality.” I mentioned a few resources and persons, and, I mentioned Joe Carolin’s Wisdom of the Ages conferences … Continue reading

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Winter issue of Leadership in Ministry Workshops newsletter

The winter 2009 issue of the Leadership in Ministry Workshops (LIM) newsletter is now available. You can download a copy of the newsletter by visiting the LIM website and selecting the link to the newsletters from the main menu. The … Continue reading

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Book review: Leaders Who Last, by Marcuson

Margaret Marcuson touches all the right bases in her first book for congregational leaders, Leaders Who Last: Sustaining Yourself and Your Ministry (Seabury Press, 2009). It is a primer on effective ministerial leadership based on perennial principals and much influenced … Continue reading

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Pondering the imponderables

Some of my students in my philosophy course are starting to get annoyed that the professor doesn’t answer their questions. More often than not, when a student asks a question, the professor will respond, “That’s a good question,” or, “What … Continue reading

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Homeostasis finds a way

One interesting phenomena of the power of homeostasis is that whenever a leader attempts to bring about change he or she will most certainly encounter sabotage. And while we can find some comfort in the notion that reactivity is unimaginative, … Continue reading

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What will they say about you?

Leaders who are shortsighted worry too much about what people say about them. Whether it’s because of insecurity, a need for affirmation, issues related to competence or image, many leaders measure success in the metrics of immediate change. More often … Continue reading

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Nattering Nabobs of Negativity

One of the most important qualities for leaders is the capacity for vision. Extraordinary leaders, however, are visionaries. The dilemma for visionaries is that they often are ahead of their time. Leaders with vision see the horizons and lead people … Continue reading

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