Imperatives in Effective Speaking (Part 2)

Weekly Thought – February 24, 2015

Fred was a lifelong learner. He believed in preparation. The words of Paul to Timothy to “study to show yourself approved…” were burned into his value system. He was unable to further his formal education after high school but never allowed that to be a limitation to his studies.

This Weekly Thought is part two of the Speaking series.

We want you to know how grateful we are for your continued words of encouragement and support.

Imperatives in Effective Speaking (Part 2)

A) Be Believable. Believe the messenger and it’s easier to believe the message. Christ was believable because He spoke with authority, “not as the scribes,” who were professional quoters. Christ personified His message. I cannot teach effectively anything I don’t personify (or at least am trying to personify).

A truth that is not believed is useless. Ask yourself, “Can I make this truth believable?” If not, then wait to express it until you can. When Father Hesberg became President of Notre Dame, his predecessor Father Cavanaugh gave him this injunction: “Be right. Be humble. Be human.” This is the heart of believability.

Simplicity lends itself to credibility. General Colin Powell said, “Great leaders are simplifiers.” Cleverness, on the other hand, creates doubt. (more…)

Imperatives for Effective Speaking (Part 1)

Weekly Thought – February 17, 2015

Fred’s article on Speaking is a classic example of his clear thinking. He loved taking a big subject and breaking it down into manageable bites. This week we present principles one and two: 1) Prepare your attitude and 2) Prepare your content.

Thank you for helping us continue stretching and blessing through the outreach of BWF.

Imperatives for Effective Speaking (Part 1)

A. Prepare Your Attitude – Speaking starts with attitude – attitude colors every word, every gesture, and body movement. My checklist runs like this: 1) Do I feel obligated to speak or privileged? 2) Am I prepared, therefore confident? 3) Do I know what is expected of me? 4) Do I know I expect to accomplish? 5) Am I sure of my opening so I won’t be tentative or negative? 6) Do I like the people I’ll be speaking to?

All these affect the attitude. Anyone who feels the audience is fortunate in having them speak is prostituting the opportunity.

B. Prepare the Content – A speaker’s self-respect and sense of responsibility should start with content. If there is no content, there is no reason to speak. The best communication comes out of the overflow. There should always be that feeling that there is so much more in the spring from which this talk flowed.

It is insulting to hear a speaker who has nothing to say but insists on saying it anyway. In Texas we say he is “all hat and no cattle.”

Whenever I begin thinking of the honor of having been asked, I immediately shift to the responsibility of being asked – a responsibility that demands preparation. Each occasion should have its own special preparation. Speech notes, like bread, soon get stale. In each preparation there must be the yeast of newly discovered truth: exciting, new, and expanded insights along with practical applications. (more…)

Effective Speaking – Introduction

Weekly Thought – February 10, 2015

Fred’s speaking abilities gave him opportunities throughout his life. Even in his last years of immobility groups gathered to hear what him. On Saturdays they encircled him in what affectionately became known as “Fred in the Bed.” His last session was less than two weeks before his death.

We thank you for the gracious support through prayer, financial gifts, and words. We want to continue sharing Fred’s wisdom. And, as we grow the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute, our goal is to “stretch and bless the next generation of leaders… to the glory of God.”

Fred’s article on Imperatives in Effective Speaking will be excerpted over the next five weeks in a series of Weekly Thoughts. Today’s is an overview of the points. Build a file for these excerpts – they are keepers.

Effective Speaking – Introduction

Speaking to an audience is an awesome responsibility. When you speak to a thousand listeners for thirty minutes you have used five hundred hours of human life.

Only a few speakers are great, but many could be better by recognizing both the science and art of speaking. Like great musicians, there must first be a natural talent, then years and years of coaching and practice to achieve the art. (more…)

Older but Never Old

Weekly Thought – February 3, 2015

Fred thought much about aging. One of his best received and best known articles for Leadership Journal carried the title, “Older, but Never Old.” He lived just like that. Some of his thoughts were encapsulated dynamite. This week features many of them.

Older but Never Old

1) I’m for aging – slowly, if you please. When I asked my friend what period of life he would have liked to live in he said, “As far in the future as possible!”
2) I started aging the day I was born….on the back of my birth certificate is my death certificate.
3) Memory is the way we keep in touch with our past, but it should not be the way we keep living in the present. Joining the “used-to club” is counter productive.
4) Activity helps the mind forget what’s going on with the body. There is nothing wrong with me that a little excitement won’t cure.
5) Start the aging process early – avoid surprises through preparation financially, emotionally, spiritually, physically, and especially relationally. Don’t make a junkyard out of your old age.
6) Life is divided into two groups: those who are aging and those who are not. Those who are aging are breathing.
7) Health has four elements: mobility, energy, lack of pain, and ability to accommodate suffering.
8) As we age we become mutual mentors with our children.
9) Make a list of annoying “old people” habits while still young and read it to as you age. Make peace with physical limitations and show grace to others.
10) Finish well by focusing on the right things. Forget the fading: looks, power, position and accent the forever: relationships, spiritual, contribution. (more…)

Loving God

Weekly Thought – January 27, 2015

Fred read and thought about theology, philosophy, and science. He sought to know God, not just know about Him. No one could put him in a doctrinal box because he constantly thought about the relationship, not the rules.

This excerpt from a letter to a theologian friend may be a bit controversial. And, he is not here to defend his thinking, but it is a good delineation of his theological processing.

Thank you for supporting our work. An email to us started out: “I look forward to every Tuesday… ” This is a work of love – for Fred and for our Father God.

Loving God

Oswald Chambers and St. Augustine are two men whose opinions I value highly. As you know, Chambers said we are to live our life with the expressed intent of doing God’s will, letting Him stop us if we are straying from the path. We should not spend our time searching, but rather living knowing He will direct and correct when needed.

St. Augustine said maturely and simply: “Love God and do what you will.”

God says, “Seek my face.” This means an eye to eye relationship. We are told we do all things through Christ, not through a plan. We should never substitute guidance for the Guide. We cannot prove God exists by the guidance. It is God alone in silence or in revelation. (more…)

God’s Will – God’s Way

Weekly Thought – January 20, 2015

Fred enjoyed letter writing. His mentor, Maxey Jarman, stressed the value of thought clarification which comes as ideas are put on paper. One of his spiritual heroes was the Apostle Paul who, like Fred, wrote letters. Often he wrote to expand on a conversation or try out concepts with trusted friends. This Thought is excerpted from a letter sent to a long-time friend with whom he corresponded regularly. The topic is “the will of God.”

Fred used the “key log” as an illustration of problem solving. His close and respected friend Randon A. Samelson authored a new book titled Breakthrough: Unleashing the Power Of A Proven Plan. His dedication to Fred acknowledges him as a mentor and friend. His description of the key log principle will help all leaders. The book will be available through Amazon.com in two weeks.

God’s Will – God’s Way

Life is not all mystical even though there is a mystical quality to all life. There is far less mystery in the things that happen to us as members of the human race following the natural living processes from birth to death. A vast majority of the experiences we have are common to the human race.

Likewise, cause and effect are elements natural and predictable. It is immature to ignore the commonality of these principles and attribute them all to some super mystical, mysterious happening.

Having said that, I want you to understand I accept the spiritual qualities of life as being mystical. The confluence of natural events with the supernatural power of God is more than we can fully comprehend. I do not purport to understand. I believe it by faith and spend very little time trying to adopt some intellectual position to defend it. I am not denying the role of apologetics, but I personally hold faith positions in a category not requiring defense. (more…)

Growing Others

Weekly Thought – January 13, 2015

Fred was known as a “mentor to a generation of leaders.” Frequently, we receive emails mentioning ways Fred encouraged personal or business development. The word “mentor” comes from Greek mythology. Odysseus went off to the Trojan Wars, leaving his son Telemachus in the care of Mentor, tasking him with the nurturing and growth of him as a man. Interestingly, the first use of the word was in the writings of Francois Fenelon. Those who knew Fred knew “my friend Fenelon.”

In the month of January we are going to present various thoughts from Fred on this subject, hoping to bring strength and guidance.

Growing Others

Most successful men and women have had good mentors just as most successful athletes have had good coaches.

Mentoring can be organized for discussion but not for treatment. Mentoring does not come in a formula – it is a living relationship. It is not linear but often comes in fits and starts. It can involve one specific area or a total life. For example, a local high achiever came to me asking for help in his speaking abilities as he was taking on more public responsibilities requiring platform time. Others have come wanting to talk through aspects of a balanced life. These mentoring assignments can be short or long term. (more…)

Step by Step?

Weekly Thought – January 6, 2015

Fred valued friendship. As he aged many of them preceded him in death. Upon hearing of a passing, he often recounted decades of stories, smiling and laughing. “Cultivate younger friends because your contemporaries will be gone if you live long enough.” One of Fred’s long-time younger ones was Steve Brown of Key Life Network. They met while speaking in Kentucky and made a decision immediately clicked. When Being Good Isn’t Good Enough is Steve’s newest book. According to the author it is “how to stop striving to please a God who is already pleased.” www.KeyLife.org

Step by Step?

(Editor’s note: Fred was asked about his thinking on the specific will of God. He wrote much in a personal letter to a dear friend. This excerpt reflects his position and his straightforward approach).

Some young people questioned our son as to how they could know God’s plan. Rather than answer, he asked them why they wanted to know. Their answers were revealing. One wanted to follow the plan because he didn’t want to have God mad at him. Another assumed the plan must be wonderful, and he didn’t want to miss what God had for him. Another felt God needed his work, and therefore, if he didn’t do it, it wouldn’t be done leaving God’s plan incomplete.

It was easy to see these young people were really talking about works and not grace. They had a clear self-interest in God’s plan. When they spoke of wanting a plan, it meant happiness, prosperity lack of trouble, love, and acceptance.

Egotism seems to creep into their perceptions. They assume God has something big in mind. They cannot imagine ordinary lives of ordinary people. (more…)

Does Success Trump Saintliness? (Conclusion)

Weekly Thought – December 30, 2014

Fred appreciated year’s end. He used the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day to analyze the past year. He encouraged others to do audits which included financial and spiritual. He acknowledged the power of God to lead in his life.

As this year closes, please know how very grateful we are for the work God has given us to do. And for your support. We commit ourselves to stretching and blessing through the weekly thoughts, the leadership institutes, and our blogs. May you experience the love and light of Jesus as 2014 ends.

Does Success Trump Saintliness (Conclusion)

Woven through everything I’ve said in this letter is the firm belief that each of us is a unique creation of God. In His love and providence He has engineered into us the capacity to live full, rich, and successful lives. I believe that God’s principles are like interwoven cables which provide structure and support yet give flexibility.

In Dallas there is a business which features an unusually tall flagpole holding an exceptionally large American flag. Because of its height, it is exposed to the winds of downtown Dallas. Upon inspection, you see a set of springs which give the banner some flexibility. If it were tightly harnessed to the pole, the winds would tear it apart.

I see God’s principles for living the same way. They are supporting, undergirding, and holding all things “by the power of His might.” But they are designed to work without being hammered down into a box. (more…)

Does Success Trump Saintliness? (Part 6)

Weekly Thought – December 23, 2014

Fred had a business principle: Be colorful, but not showy. On Christmas he crossed his own line. He waited until the entire family assembled then appeared in a red velour shirt, red sweatpants, and red socks. The group groaned appropriately, but looked forward to the next “faux Santa” occasion.

This is the last excerpt from the letter to the young man who wondered if he could be a Christian and still be successful.

May you experience the joy of our Lord Jesus Christ during this season celebrating His incarnation. May you continue to strive for maturity and connect with others as you journey.

Does Success Trump Saintliness? (Part 6)

As I outlined my thinking on business success I gave you twelve recommendations of things to implement in your planning. I am confident you need to have an attitude of forward motion. You will not do well if you stay in a defensive posture. You have heard me talk about constructive strengths and destructive weaknesses. It is important to look at both the principles of “do,” and those of “don’t.”

Here are four don’ts to consider as you build your strategy for career development.

1) Don’t ever give up. A person should never spend time thinking about reasons for giving up, slowing down, or stopping. This is why the follow through in business, just like in sports, is so critical. In golf we talk about the high follow through. Good golfers don’t begin to slow down before hitting the ball. When a person develops the habit of winning, you won’t quit at a crucial time, either consciously or unconsciously. (more…)

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