The foundational value of my work is Insight + Action = Transformation. Insight gives the illusion of transformation, and the only way to combat this illusion is with action. The last few weeks, I have posted about the challenges of our time, the discontinuous change, the need for adaptive leadership, and the proper perspective for …
Author Archives: kpierburg
WHERE DOES OUR HOPE COME FROM?
During times of discontinuous change, like we are experiencing right now, human nature is to look to leadership to solve our problems. This is nothing new. Soong- Chan Rah, in Prophetic Lament, explains this is what happened when Israel was taken into captivity by Babylon. The captive Israelites looked for leaders to give them …
WHY ISN’T THIS WORKING?
There are two kinds of problems that we face in leadership and our organizations, and recognizing the difference determines our effectiveness in addressing the challenge. First are technical problems, which while complicated, can be solved with existing knowledge and skills. Adaptive challenges, on the other hand, require new learning, creativity, and adjusted ways of operating. …
ARE YOU CANOEING THE MOUNTAINS?
Change is Stressful Does everything feel stressful right now? Does it feel like nothing is working the way it used to? Are your skills and experience not helping as they have in the past? We are in a time of discontinuous change. We can look at 2020 and recognize we have experienced change and uncertainty …
HUMBLE LEADERSHIP
We are in need of a new kind of leadership. A leadership that listens before speaking; a leadership that seeks to understand before solving; a leadership that puts other before themselves. This type of leadership is countercultural and quite opposite of what we are seeing right now. But it is this leadership that Jesus modeled …
RHYTHMS OF THE COMMUNITY
As you look for ways to connect with neighbors, it is helpful to watch for the rhythms of the community and to be intentional for the opportunities that are presented. Hugh Halter and Matt Smay explain, “the habit of living among, means participating in the natural activities of the culture around you.” There are two …
INTENTIONAL NEIGHBORING
Who are the people in my neighborhood? The old Sesame Street song points to a different time in our society. One in which everyone knew everyone. For a number of reasons, people do not know and are not as connected to each other as they used to be. Is this true for you? Do you …
LISTEN AND LEARN
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” ~James 1:19 After a time of regular prayer walks, you will start to see your community as God sees it. He may start speaking to you about redeemed and restored people and …
PRAYER WALKS
And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. ~ Micah 6:8 One thing is for sure, no matter how you have been living in the midst of the pandemic, people are spending more time close to home. Extended time in our …
WHAT IS THE WAY FORWARD?
In March 2020, when the realities of COVID-19 were beginning to sink in, Praxis Labs wrote two articles framing the stages of COVID-19 as blizzard, winter, and ice age (Links to the articles are at the bottom). Here is how they defined the stages: Blizzard: You can’t go out — zero visibility and hostile conditions. …
KATHY PIERBURG 