Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Joseph Lalonde
Hudson Taylor’s way of making God “real” in your life
Before 21-year-old Hudson Taylor left for China, he practiced relying on God for his needs, deliberately cutting himself off from sources of support, including his own father. God provided through other means, as he did throughout the rest of Hudson’s life. In a letter to his mother, Hudson wrote, “I am indeed proving the truth of that word, ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.
5 Questions To Help You Audit Your Leadership Capabilities
We audit various aspects of our organizations. From our financial books to manufacturing processes to software inventories. We recognize the importance of ensuring that processes are correctly completed, accurate financial records are kept, and other necessary measures are taken. Audits help us understand our current business position. I bet I know one part of your business that you’re not auditing: Leadership capabilities.
Admit When You're Wrong
Recently, a retired local pastor posted a story on his Facebook page. He was excited to share it, as it conveyed a powerful, Biblical message. However, one of his friends corrected him. The story was fake. The local pastor did something that not many people would be willing to do. He didn’t just delete the story. He took it a step further. This man posted a public apology to his friends. He let them know he was wrong, posted a story that wasn’t true, and that he was sorry.
4 Reasons We Need More Deep Thinkers
The world of leadership is filled with confident voices. These voices say they know what to do, how to do it, and where to go next. But does confidence belie competence? Does confidence ensure things will get done? We all know the answer is a resounding NO. Then why are we attracted to confidence? I believe it’s due to the ‘fake it till you make it’ mindset. We believe we need to project an air of confidence, even when we’re unsure of what we’re doing.
5 Signs It Is Time To Leave Your Organization
Saying goodbye to an organization that you’ve cared for and tended to can be difficult. You know the people; you have worked hard and done your best. You’ve left your blood, sweat, and tears there. Yet, you can’t stay at an organization forever. There’s an end date. Many of us overstay. Why do we overstay? We fear that the organization won’t survive if we go. We feel that we can still make a difference. We are stubborn. I’ve been there, done that. It’s not pretty.
It's Okay Not To Know The Answer
Have you noticed something about human beings? We always want to have an answer. We believe that if we can answer any question at any time, we will be viewed as intelligent, knowledgeable, or wise. Why do we desire to know the answer to anything that comes our way? It’s from years of programming telling us that we have to have the answer. If we don’t, we’re dumb, uneducated, or lacking in some area. I want to encourage you today that it’s okay not to know the answer.
3 Reasons To Challenge Outdated Assumptions
What assumptions do you have? More importantly, what outdated assumptions do you currently hold tight? An outdated assumption is an assumption that is no longer valid or useful because it is old or out-of-date. Our outdated assumptions are no longer valid or useful. They’ve been proven wrong. Yet… We cling to them. We hold fast to them because we don’t want to say we were wrong, new evidence has come to light, or we’re ignorant of the change.
5 tips for leading effective meetings
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT What do you think of when you think of a business meeting? Is it a time to be productive? Or is it a time and money waster? There are valid arguments for both ideas. Meetings get people together. They can brainstorm, hash out ideas, and come together as a group. It's powerful when you have multiple people in a room together to work through a pressing matter. Then there's the flip side. Meetings waste money. Think about how many people are involved in your meetings.
How to be a grateful and appreciative leader
As a team member, feeling appreciated beyond the paycheck is important. You put a lot of effort into fulfilling your job requirements, finding things to do, and making the organization money. The daily grind can be mind-numbing. Add to that working for a leader who doesn't show appreciation can destroy any motivation they have to continue working hard. As the leader, it falls on you to make sure your people know that you are grateful and appreciative of their hard work.
4 ways to overcome worry
adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Does your mind dwell on the difficulties or troubles of your position? Do you constantly feel stressed beyond your breaking point? Is anxiety starting to feel more like a friend than an enemy? Then, you may be in a worry trap. Worry is giving way to anxiety and unease, dwelling on difficulties and troubles. It's also a leadership killer. Worrying will shorten your life. And it's not healthy.
People look at me funny when I say I have life insurance, but I don't think it's only for people with debt or kids
Many people with debt or children get life insurance to protect their families. My wife and I have neither. But we are happy to pay about $80 a month for our coverage. My policies are worth a total of $800,000, and I have peace of mind knowing my wife is covered. When I tell my friends and family that I purchased life insurance for my wife and myself, I get strange looks. It's not normal, at least in our situation. In 2019, we paid off our final debt: our house. That was a big one.
How to create a culture of accountability in your organization
adobe Summarize with ChatGPT An organization without accountability is an organization with chaos. We've all seen it with an unruly child. The parent doesn't hold the child accountable for their behavior, and the poor behavior continues. Did you know this happens in organizations as well? When we don't hold our people (and ourselves) accountable, chaos ensues. Everyone thinks they can do their own thing. Their own thing rains misery down on those around them. We can't let this happen.
How to create a culture of innovation and creativity
adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Innovation and creativity are hallmarks of a great organization. They know what they do well, think about what to do next, and then innovate to get there. It's not always easy. Sometimes, you stumble and struggle along the way. You may even wonder why you desired to be considered innovative and creative. I think about this even as I type these words. I think about what I need to do to innovate and inspire you. Sometimes, it's easy to be creative.
4 ways to be an emotionally supportive leader
adobe stock Summarize with ChatGPT Your team desires a leader who goes beyond the expectations of a leader. They want someone who seeks the emotional well-being of their team and responds in kind. You can be that kind of leader. You can create an environment where your people are seen, felt, and heard. Do you know what that type of leadership does? It makes your team want to stay with you. When they know you care, they're willing to stick around for the long haul.
My dad taught me 3 money lessons that shaped my finances for life, but I wish he'd shared just one more Original
Personal Finance The author, Joseph Lalonde, with his wife. Joseph Lalonde Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate products and services to help you make smart decisions with your money. My dad taught me to live within my means and never to carry credit card debt.
4 things to consider when using AI for business
Artificial Intelligence is all the rage. Everybody seems to be using it. Business leaders are starting to implement it more and more. So, what's the right thing to do with this tool? Here are 4 things to consider when using AI for business. 4 things to consider when using AI for business 1. AI has ethical implications. You will need to consider the ethical implications when using AI. What are those? AI scrapes content and rewrites it in a new way.
4 tips for managing your time
I remember being amazed at plate spinners growing up. These men and women would keep plates spinning on poles for an extended amount of time. They wouldn't fall off but be kept going by the constant movement of the performer. Their act looked fun. I wanted to attempt it, but any time I tried to spin something on a pole or my finger, I couldn't keep it up. Many leaders feel that way. They have so many plates spinning that there's no time to relax. It's constant go, go, go. What if there was a better way?
5 ways to lead with empathy
Empathy sounds like one of those touchy-feely words. It's what those woo-woo leaders do. But it's not. Leading with empathy is something every leader should do. It not only endears you to your employees but it forms stronger connections between you, employees, suppliers, and more. Why wouldn't you want to lead with empathy? What is empathy? Some of us may have the wrong idea of empathy. We don't understand what it is or how to use it. Let's get clear about what empathy is.
How to use technology for leadership success
I think about my father and the technological changes he'd seen throughout his 93 years of living. From the advent of the television to cars to improved phones to computers to cell phones… He saw a lot of technological advancement in his life. We're seeing similar things happen in our lifetime as well. Technology is increasing at a rapid rate. It's hard to keep up. Yet, technology is the key to success in business.
The key to strong working relationships
Test Link ArticlesDevotionsVideoseBooksPodcastsChurch SuppliersBook Reviews Home eBooks Devotions Podcasts Articles Church Suppliers Videos Our Writers Topics Servant LeadershipLeadership Development & DiscipleshipConflict & CriticismVision & CultureBook ReviewsMore Topics My Account Profile Leadership is important, but I believe communication is even more important. Without communication, you can't rise to the level of a great leader.
Here's how to be an emotionally supportive leader
Your team desires a leader who goes beyond the expectations of a leader. They want someone who cares, seeks the emotional well-being of their team, and responds in kind. You can be that kind of leader. You can create an environment where your people are seen, felt, and heard. Do you know what that does? It makes your team want to stay with you. When they know there's a leader who cares, they're willing to stick around for the long haul.
The art of negotiation: Essential skills for leaders
Adobe Stock Summarize with ChatGPT The art of the deal or the art of negotiation, whatever you call it, is a critical skill for a leader. You're always wheeling and dealing in a good way, trying to make things better for yourself and those you lead. Don't fret if you lack the skill of negotiation. Negotiation skills can be learned. Why is negotiation necessary?
How to thrive when facing adversity
Adobe Stock Summarize with ChatGPT Leading an organization or team throws multiple challenges at you. From dealing with difficult people to life-changing decisions and making mistakes, leadership requires you to be resilient. If you can't bounce back from the challenges thrown your way, you won't last long as a leader. So, how do you build resilience as a leader? It's not easy, but you can do it. You may not feel confident enough to build your resilience, but you can.
4 strategies for navigating change and uncertainty
The nature of leadership lends itself to change. You're constantly innovating, looking for new ways to do old things, and for new ideas that will change the world. You're immersed in change. This doesn't mean you're OK with change. Many leaders struggle with overcoming change and uncertainty. Yet that's what keeps you there as a leader: The ability to lead through change and uncertainty. What do you do when you're struggling to navigate change and you're the leader? It's a question you need to ask.
5 ways to transform your thinking
Do you thrive on challenges? Do you see failure as a way to grow? Do you desire to continue developing your skills and talents? Then you probably have a growth mindset. Those that have growth mindsets are constantly looking for ways to improve themselves. They don't see failure as fatal but rather failure as a setup for success. Challenges are exciting and they are encouraged by them. But… Not everyone has a growth mindset. There is a tinge of fear when people hear they need a growth mindset and change.
5 things to quit to become more successful
There's an old saying that winners never quit and quitters never win. For the longest time, I believed this sage advice. Except it is not sage advice. Saying winners never quit is terrible advice. You may be scratching your head, wondering how this could be true. You've got to continue on, and push on to be successful, right? Wrong. The people who win the most in life also know when to quit. And they quit often. Dan Miller regularly quits activities. Google quits and shuts down multiple projects.
How to become a more compassionate leader
As you work toward becoming a more compassionate leader, keep the following thoughts in mind. These actions will help you become what you want to be: a more caring leader. Show appreciation on a regular basis: The act of gratitude, or appreciation, changes a person. The more you show your people how much you appreciate them, the more compassionate you will become. Tell your team members thank you, I appreciate you, or you did a great job when you see them do something you appreciated.
4 little things you can do to build confidence
You can be unsure of specific skills, tasks, and more. This will drive us to stretch ourselves. However, if a leader lacks confidence, this deficiency can be a leadership killer. But, don't fret. There are ways you can build your confidence. In fact, you may be doing some of these things without realizing what you're doing. You may think you need to take significant action to build confidence. You don't. You only have to start with small things. These small things lead to enormous confidence. 1.
5 leadership books to read for personal development
iStock Summarize with ChatGPT For this month, I am focusing on the best leadership and personal development books to develop yourself. These book recommendations will help you become a better leader and, more importantly, a better person. You don't have to read all five of these books, but I recommend you pick up at least one or two and study them. They will have you growing, maturing, and becoming better. 1.
Your name is on the line
We looked for a company to install foam insulation in our house for years. Finally, we decided upon a company. They did a great job. The insulation company's employees were timely. They cleaned up any mess that they made. They even noted an issue with our siding. Everything seemed to be great. My wife and I were thrilled with the difference the new insulation made. We were so happy, we referred the company to friends and friends of friends.
3 ways to nurture your soul
The world of work will quickly drain your soul if you're not careful. Having to make complex business decisions, the sketchiness of some organizations, and the constant battle for balance can have your soul in turmoil. Because of this, our spiritual life often looks anemic. There's not a lot of thought put into what we're feeding our souls. We may even completely forget to take in biblical content. Before we know it, we're feeling drained and disconnected from God.
My wife has always hated gift cards, but I think my love for them is bringing her around Original
I love giving and getting gift cards, even though my wife typically doesn't. Gift cards make it easier to give and get presents people would choose for themselves. Plus, sometimes they even come with a discount. Our house is a house divided. It feels like Michigan versus Michigan State — but not because of a sports rivalry. No, our division is caused by gift cards. My wife hates them. She believes they're impersonal, thoughtless, and a bad gift to give. I, on the other hand, love gift cards.
5 prime places for networking
There are tried and not-so-true places to grow your connections. Just think about the last "networking" event you went to. You were probably pitched more than you'd like. What if there were places where you could grow your network easily and have fun doing so? I've discovered the five best places to grow your network. They've worked for me. They'll work for you. 1. Local coffee shops: The local coffee shop is my favorite place to find and nurture my connections.
5 ways to pray for your team
Prayer should be a part of every believer's lifestyle. Prayer keeps you close to God and is like a direct line to Him. Many leaders want to pray for their teams. They desire to see their team prosper, be successful, and grow. Discovering how or what to pray for their team can be challenging. Today, I want to make it a little less difficult for you. Keep reading to discover five ways to pray for the team you lead as a Christian leader. 1.
My wife and I have no debt and no kids, but we're happy to pay about $80 a month for life insurance to protect each other
Many people with debt or children get life insurance to protect their families. My wife and I have neither. But we are happy to pay about $80 a month for our coverage. My policies are worth a total of $800,000, and I have peace of mind knowing my wife is covered. When I tell my friends and family that I purchased life insurance for my wife and myself, I get strange looks. It's not normal, at least in our situation. In 2019, we paid off our final debt: our house. That was a big one.
3 Smart Ways I've Used 0% APR Credit Cards to Make Big Purchases
My wife and I have been debt-free for years, but that doesn't mean we don't use credit cards. We love using 0% APR credit cards strategically, making big purchases and paying them off over time. We never pay an interest charge and are able to keep our savings on hand. I've been a long-time credit card user. I know that makes Dave Ramsey fans gasp in horror. I know because I once was a huge Ramsey fan. His guidance is one of the ways that we paid off our mortgage 16 years early.
3 questions to ask if you want to build integrity
I was recently reading an excerpt from John Maxwell's book Developing the Leader Within You. In one of the chapters, he writes about the difference between image-building and integrity-building. I believe integrity is the key to being a great leader. The outward appearance, looking good, and other actions aren't what make a leader. A leader has to be integrous first and foremost. How do you put integrity first? John Maxwell had three questions in three areas you could ask yourself.
I paid off my mortgage 16 years earlier with the help of a clever kitchen hack I learned from my parents Original
My parents always used old Country Crock butter containers as Tupperware. I applied this lesson — using what I have instead of buying new — to pay off my mortgage early. I borrowed other lessons from my parents, too, like never paying interest on my credit card.
10 Bible verses to remind leaders who really is in control
You're a leader. You're in charge! Right? Wrong… We may be given authority over some areas of our lives, but there's someone else who is in control. I fully believe God is in control. I hope you do too. These 10 verses will remind you who is in charge. And it's not you. It's someone who watches over you and those you lead. 1. Joshua 1:9 - "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
How changing your mind could be a good thing
People are stubborn. Once they have a belief, they struggle to reimagine something new. Now, if people are stubborn, leaderscan be hard-headed and impossible to change! Not really. However, it is how we feel sometimes. We hold tight to our ideals. We believe we know best. Yet, we don't. We are not perfect. Nor are the ideals that we hold so tightly. Today's challenge for you is to examine what you think about and see if you need to change your mind. Why? Because there's power in changing your mind.
How to infuse motivation into your team
When employees step out of their comfort zone and try something new, magical things happen. Google allows its employees to spend 20 percent of their time working on pet projects. These pet projects are things the employee sees that could benefit Google. Most organizations are not like Google. They are unwilling to give their employees time to try new things, even when the organization would benefit. Worse, organizations often punish their employees for trying something new and failing.
10 traits positive leaders focus on
What makes a positive leader go further? They focus on the leadership traits that make them the most effective, positive, and outgoing leaders they can be. These are all leadership traits that you can work on, if you don't already have them: 1. Humility: The most positive leaders are also humble leaders. They know that they did not get where they are by themselves. Instead, these positive leaders had help from others. Because of this, they understand that they will need to help others.
Trusting those you lead
We all want to be trusted. What we often don't do is trust those we lead. We hire a new employee. We begin to think of ways the employee may cheat the company. Boom. We've broken a bond of trust. The employee may not realize it. Yet. Slowly but surely, the employee will begin to realize you don't trust them. They will see the "guardrails"you've put up to keep them in line. We talk about trust like it's important. We don't live it out.
Finding people who challenge you
Everyone talks about mastermind groups. These are groups of people who help you define your business ideas, become a better person, or encourage you. Mastermind groups are great. I've seen much of my success come from hanging out with similar, like-minded people. However, my thought process has begun to change on the types of people I want to hang around. Masterminds are typically people who are like-minded. This means they think similarly to you. I've found this to be limiting.
5 ways to invest in next-level leaders
Identifying and growing potential leaders can be tricky. You may not know what to look for or what you can do to develop these up-and-coming leaders. Despite this, you have to be able to identify and grow new leaders. These new leaders will be the ones to take your organization to the next level. Who better to lead them towards this objective? If you're struggling to understand how to identify and then grow these leaders, this article is for you.
4 ways to grow your network
Whatever your network is, you can always strive to increase the size. The more people in your network, the more people you can reach out to. Why would you want to grow your network? The answer is simple. By growing, you grow your ability to reach new people.
5 leadership books to read in 2022
Reading is essential to the growth of any leader. The reading you do can be through physical books, audiobooks, and ebooks. Whatever works for you, do it! But… Finding great books to read can be a difficult thing to do. The power of books is why I love curating a list of books for leaders to read every month. In the list, I include books that have been influential in my leadership and books I'm interested in reading. 1.
How do you deal with failure?
Failure is inevitable. We will all face a situation we cannot overcome. A project may be scrapped. A relationship is lost. Or you burn the cheesecake you were baking. These are all seen as failures in one way or another. Think about how you would react in each situation. Do you get angry because the big project you'd worked on for months was scrapped for a solution that was only recently proposed? Do you look at the time spent in the relationship as wasted time?
Why love is important in leadership
We're not talking about romantic love and leadership. No, we're talking about caring for your people and treating them with respect. But why is love important in leadership? I believe there are multiple reasons. We can't cover them all, but we will cover three reasons love works in leadership. 1. People long to feel a part of something: Loving someone means you include them in what you're doing. Loving your employees is no different in the world of work.
How leaders can navigate privacy with their team
As a leader, you'll have a very interesting relationship with privacy. For starters, privacy in your business can relate to a few different things. On the one hand, it might cover things like customer or client privacy, meaning you have to keep their records and information private and secure. This type of privacy isn't too challenging for a competent leader to handle.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Joseph
Contact Joseph, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack