In this case one picture is worth more than a thousand words!
Have a Great Masonic Day!
Author Archive for Mike
I was looking for reference material on building a vision to use in a presentation and ran across a copy of The Grand Lodge of Indiana’s mission statement. I thought it captured the essence of Masonry and in such a short statement outlines the mission we all should adopt. Here it is:
Mission Statement of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Indiana
adopted May 17, 2005
“The Mission of the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, was, is and shall be, to teach the art of Freemasonry to all Men of Good Character thus inspiring them to practice the art of Freemasonry in their homes, communities and daily lives. This Association of like minded men improves and strengthens the character of each Brother, reflecting Freemasonry and thereby perpetuating the values through the Fraternity.”
The Grand Lodge also further defines Masonry in their Declaration of Principles. Click here to read it.
We would all do well if we accepted these statements and lived them.
Have a Great Masonic Day!
Categories Leadership Blog, Leadership Lessons
I was preparing for a presentation and one of the sections is about a leader’s legacy. Not many Masonic leaders have probably thought about the legacy they want to leave to the Fraternity.
In Dr. Maxwell’s The Law of Legacy he offers four thoughts on how leaders should develop a legacy.
- Know The Legacy You Want To Leave – As a leader have you identified organizational problems you want to solve, change that may be needed or inspiration you want to instill?
- Live The Legacy You Want To Leave – Words alone will not build a legacy. You must demonstrate by your actions that your legacy is important to you.
- Choose Who Will Carry On Your Legacy – Have you developed relationships that will allow you to mentor those officers below you? Legacy comes when leaders are created that will carry on when you are no longer around.
- Make Sure You Pass The Baton – You greatest joy should come when you see other leaders step up and do even a better job than you did. Be able to walk away with great pride knowing you had a part in creating these leaders.
Is your legacy just a bunch of titles you have accumulated to list in your obituary? Wouldn’t it be much more rewarding to know that your contributions will live on?
How do you create a Masonic legacy? Create another leader. Start doing it today!
Have a Great Masonic Day!
Categories Leadership Blog, Leadership Lessons, Legacy
When I attended John Maxwell’s training I knew parts of it would be filmed so I purposely wore a red shirt so I would stand out when the camera came my way. It worked. Look over John’s left shoulder and you will see a slightly bald guy in a red shirt, that’s me.
Leaders should always do things that will make them distinctive and stand out from others.
Have a Great Masonic Day!
Categories Leadership Blog, Leadership Lessons
On February 12th, my friend Kary Oberbrunner is launching his new book The Deeper Path. To celebrate, he is having a free online book release party where he is giving away over $5000 in cash and prizes from some of the biggest thought leaders in the world. Besides winning some great stuff, you need to check out this book for even bigger reasons. Here’s how The Deeper Path will help your life.
The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you discover why. This book is for those who desire the answer to the “why” question, and this answer is only found by taking the Deeper Path.
If you read The Deeper Path book you will:
- Understand that when you numb their Pain, you also numb your potential.
- Identify your own coping mechanisms through a profound process of self-awareness.
- Realize you have a choice to accept chronic Pain which produces slow death or invite acute Pain which produces a soul on fire.
Because the book will:
- Weave Kary’s own story of overcoming Pain with relatable and supporting examples from education, government, entertainment, business and faith.
- Reveal a unique and powerful 5 step model that helps you move through your hurts and into your healing.
- Provide the necessary tools which equip you to author your OPUS and discover your true potential.
Don’t take my word for it. Kary’s been busy taking well over one hundred people through a 10 session Deeper Path group coaching experience. Read their testimonials or watch a special Deeper Path exclusive video teaching for yourself.
DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’VE LOST YOUR WAY? IT’S POSSIBLE YOU’VE JUST LOST YOUR WHY. GET A GPS FOR YOUR DREAMS AND START LIVING FROM YOUR TRUE POTENTIAL. TAKE THE DEEPER PATH.
Click on this link to reserve your spot! free online book release party.
Categories Leadership Blog
As we begin a new year Brother Franklin reminds us of our obligations as Masons.
Have a Great Masonic Day and a Prosperous New Year!
Categories Leadership Blog, Leadership Lessons
I ran across this video a couple of years ago and thought it was a good way to say Merry Christmas to all. Santa has some great suggestions for leaders who have been good all year. Enjoy!
Have a Great Masonic Day!
Categories Leadership Blog, Leadership Lessons
There has been building for some time in a great number of organizations a momentous catastrophe that if not acknowledged and acted upon will have devastating results.
This event, a Leadership Cliff, will occur in these organizations because effective leaders are not being created throughout their entire organization. Ultimately, over time, this will cause a decline in purposeful intent and productive action that eventually will lead to organizational apathy.
This will occur because these organizations have failed to:
Properly select individuals with the proper qualifications to lead
Properly created a process of continuous leadership education
Recognize the importance of creating leaders not followers
Maintain an atmosphere where creative and innovative leaders can thrive
Realize the importance of a shared, inspiring vision
Create effective teams
Understand a sense of urgency exists
Remember what they believe
Practice what they believe
Believe
All of these failures can be fixed. Good leaders understand how. Go find some people and make them leaders.
Have a Great Masonic Day!
Categories Leadership Blog, Leadership Lessons
On Wednesday, December 19th at 8:00pm EST I will be hosting a live conference call to introduce Kary Oberbrunner’s new book The Deeper Path. 
Kary is a pastor, writer, speaker and an amazing coach.
This is what is said on his website about the book
“The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you discover why. This book is for those who desire the answer to the “why” question, and this answer is only found by taking the Deeper Path.”
It has often been said that if you want to be an effective leader the first person to lead is yourself. Learning about The Deeper Path will help you begin to understand how you can author your OPUS (Your life’s Masterpiece) and become a Master in the Art of Living.
To Reserve Your Spot For The Conference Call Sign Up Below
Mike Clevenger – Leadership Coach, Trainer and Speaker
Categories Leadership Blog, Leadership Lessons
We as Masons are always very quick to point out the great leaders who have been members of our fraternity. The founding fathers, US presidents, notable sports figures, and other great men who have rose to prominence or acclaim.
So I ask the question;
Who will men 200 years from now proudly proclaim as members of the Masonic Fraternity?
Who will be the great thinker or teacher, the great president or senator, the great mind who inspires multitudes of others by his written or spoken word?
Are we preparing that great man by allowing Masonry to flourish as system that stresses the improvement of the soul, the embracement of knowledge, the questioning of our condition and then using Masonry as a dialogue seeking answers? To me these things provide an environment that allows great men to rise.
What are you prepared to do today to create the great leaders of tomorrow? If we all do not act today there will be no great Masons. All we will have is a faint memory of great men.
Lead yourself first; begin practicing Masonry today and strive to be that great Mason of tomorrow!
Have a Great Masonic Day!
Categories Leadership Blog, Leadership Lessons