Leadership Archives - Down On The Farm

Leading in an Era of Increased Incivility and Disrespect

Posted on 14 August 2017 by Scott Cooper

My July 26, 2017 print edition of The Edgefield Advertiser was titled “You Have Influence.” It highlighted a worldwide event titled “The Global Leadership Summit,” which was taking place outside of Chicago on August 10^th and 11^th, 2017. I encouraged you to attend the local simulcast event, which was one of over 400 venues participating in the United States.

Returning on Saturday August 12th, as I travelled from Chicago, IL to Greenville, SC for a wedding, the only thing I saw on the television screens both inside the airports and my hotel lobby was the incidents taking place this weekend in Charlottesville, VA, where an extremely small percentage of our population was garnering virtually all the expensive media air time.

As I walked through O’Hare airport, I committed in my own mind to not watch the news, to do my best at tuning out my Facebook feed, which was largely filled with comments about this small percentage of our population, garnering so much attention. I instead decided to focus my energy on what I had learned in the auditorium of over 10,000 people in a Chicago Suburb, an event where over 400,000 participated nation-wide via simulcast, and another 400,000 plus international folks will participate in the following days. I pondered on this new generation of leaders, perhaps surpassing over a million worldwide participants, and how this tremendous movement likely received no airtime in the main stream media.

I choose hope. I believe a new generation of leaders are rising up, in every county of our republic and in many nations of our world. This new generation will be armed with humility, in addition to other leadership skills and will chart a course where they will not profit from division, like so many do today.

I want to share with you a synopsis of Bill Hybels opening message at this global event. There are “10 Rules of Respect,”, but he started with a question, followed by making three critical statements. The question was, “How do we lead in an era of increased incivility and disrespect?”

The statements were, “The solution begins with me,” “The highest value at GLS is humility,” and “Armed with enough humility, you can learn from anyone.”

Here are the “10 Rules of Respect:”

Leaders must set the example for how to differ without demonizing.
Leaders must be able to have spirited conversations without “drawing blood.”
Leaders must not interrupt others who are talking or dominate discussions.
Leaders must set the example of limiting their volume levels and refusing to use “incendiary” or “belittling” words that guarantee to derail true conversation.
Leaders must set the example of being courteous in word and deed . . . to everyone, at every level.
Leaders must never stereotype people.
Leaders must apologize immediately when they are wrong, instead of denying or doubling down.
Leaders must form opinions carefully and stay open-minded if better or new information comes along.
Leaders must set the example of showing up when they say they are going to show up and doing what they say they are going to do.
Leaders must set “Rules of Respect” for everyone in the organization and enforce them relentlessly as a sort of code of conduct.

In closing, what we witnessed in Charlottesville this weekend was not leadership. It continues to receive the bulk of expensive media time because it gets ratings, which provides advertising revenue, which makes money. Perhaps I’ll write more about the lack of leadership in the media next week, but for now, I sincerely hope you will join me in praying for the next generation of leaders, which ARE being developed, who WILL lead based on the points above, and will not seek to profit through division.

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

You Have Influence!

Posted on 26 July 2017 by Scott Cooper

You have influence, very likely beyond what you imagine!

If you have studied the principles of six degrees of separation, you recognize that an individual’s potential influence living in the 21^st century has the potential of reaching an unprecedented level, unlike any other time in world history.

The question is, what will you use your influence for? Positive things or negative things? To build up others or to build up self? To benefit the next generation, or to live for the moment?

The vast majority of people never fully develop their potential. This is true with all our abilities, but it is especially true when it comes to influence.

I want you to be aware of a unique opportunity to learn how to increase your influence from some of the greatest minds and highest achievers alive today, with respect to leadership. Whether your current role is:

That of a stay at home mom;
A father;
A facilitator of a small group study;
A Team Member / employee within an organization;
A Team Leader within an organization;
A C-Level Leader within an organization;
A Business Owner / CEO;

Everyone has influence, whether you are at the top (or at the bottom, as this list is displayed), or you are working at home developing future influencers, perhaps the role which has the greatest impact to influence the next generation, (at the top, as this list is displayed).

On Thursday August 10^th and Friday August 11^th I invite you to invest your time at The Global Leadership Summit being simulcast for the Greater CSRA at True North Church on Martintown Road, just south of I-20 in North Augusta. This annual event has taken place for over 20 years and will be simulcast into over 600 venues’ worldwide!

Through a series of events, which I may write about after the event, I have the privilege of attending the live event in Chicago, so if you participate – whether locally in the greater CSRA, or one of the other worldwide simulcast locations – I would greatly love to hear how it personally impacted you, your family, your leadership and your effort to increase your influence, which is really what leadership is all about!

For more details on this event in the CSRA region, please go to – http://truenorthchurch.com/events/global-leadership-summit/

To see this list of renown speakers, please go to – https://www.willowcreek.com/events/leadership/

Here’s wishing you a blessed and productive week!

Invest Your Time in Two Books for Independence Day

Posted on 30 June 2017 by Scott Cooper

Last week my column discussed our collective need to work on “Improving Our Communication Skills.” The previous editorial discussed “Starting the Investment,” specifically thinking about a summer reading list for those graduating from Middle School. “Starting the Investment,” compared the relative maturity of young men and women graduating from the 8^th grade 100 years ago to today, and recommended a book, Do Hard Things, written by modern teenagers, sharing history of some heroic teens of other era’s, as an inspiration for today’s teens to initiate a “rebelution against low expectations!” Yes, it’s a play on words, combining rebel and revolution. Their website is www.TheRebelution.com.

This week, as Independence Day celebrations approach, we should remember the American Patriots who simply wanted individual liberty were considered rebels and that their effort began formally legislatively, but ultimately led to a revolution. In that light as we consider how to improve our communication skills about our struggle for liberty today, I urge all of us to add two books to our summer reading list, which I believe will expand our thoughts about what the celebrations this coming weekend really mean.

The financial entanglements our ancestors fought against prior to our first Independence Day were far less significant than the financial entanglements we face today. Today our central government rewards itself and “the players” both inside and outside of government for doing the exact opposite of what we celebrate this weekend. Expanding dependency has become the largest byproduct of virtually every government program. Yet this weekend we continue to celebrate independence and liberty, while at the same time embracing policies which limit choice and increase dependence. I find this curious, and troubling.

The two books I recommend are:

Rediscovering Americanism released this past Tuesday by Mark Levin.
The 5,000 Year Leap by W. Cleon Skousen

Future editorials will disc

uss the books in more detail. I am confident that some of the polarized advocates I referenced in last week’s “Improving our Communication Skills” will have choice words about the first author. When you find those, remember, they are attacking a person, but not the content. Remember, that tactic is an effort to stop discussion by demeaning the person. I call on all of us to do and demand better, and I hope you will too!

As you read the books and have thoughts about the content, I would love to discuss the thoughts with you either on the Edgefield Advertiser editorial page, where this will be posted, or on my Facebook page, where it will also be posted.

Here’s wishing you a very rewarding Independence Day Weekend Celebration with family and friends.

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Tags: Education

Starting The Investment

Posted on 21 June 2017 by Scott Cooper

Last week (http://hscottcooper.com/contrasting-three-events-on-memorial-day-ea-may-31-2017/) I closed my editorial with the following paragraph:

“What encourages me about our time period in history, where our collective knowledge of these conflicting worldviews is so poor, is that we can rapidly improve our knowledge, if we are willing to make the investment.”

When it comes to making the needed investment, there are two critical points I believe we must begin with:

First, parents must be willing to make the educational investment in their children. Dropping them at the schoolhouse isn’t enough. To grandparents – if, for whatever reason, your children are not making the required investment in your grandchildren’s proper education, you have a civic duty, indeed a moral obligation, to ensure your lineage is properly educated. Your legacy depends upon it.

Second, we must begin as early as possible. There is a lot of focus this time of year on Graduation. Graduation from High School, Graduation from College and perhaps graduate school. If we look back in history, say a century ago – young men graduating from eighth grade had great expectations placed on them. Many had already become men, bearing responsibility for helping provide their families’ sustenance. Young women graduating from the eighth grade were also being taught to think about their role in providing for the family, both existing and future families.

This week, I encourage you to think about the young adults you know graduating from Middle School. I think two of the books which should be on the summer reading list for these young adults, ages 13 and 14, are:

The first book was actually written by two teenagers. Alex and Brett Harris, at the age of 19. Do Hard Things, A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations, in short tells stories of great teenagers from our history who accomplished amazing feats during their teenage years, and contrasted those stories with today’s culture where adulthood (responsibility) is actually being pushed further and further into an individual’s future.

The second book deals with Economics. In my opinion, we must educate all young adults entering High School the truth about Economics. Specifically, how government run systems created in the last two generations have placed a tremendous economic burden on them. Much of that burden, which they will bear, began prior to their conception! The author states, “this upcoming generation has been plundered and deceived.” Thus, the title of the book is Plunder and Deceit: Big Governments Exploitation of Young People and the Future by Mark Levin.

I am hopeful The Edgefield Advertiser will place my editorials online, so after your Middle School Graduates, or you, have read the books, we will be able to discuss the merits of their content online. They will be placed at my website, www.HScottCooper.com as well as my Facebook Page, www.Facebook.com/ScottCooperSC.

Here’s wishing you a productive week!

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Contrasting Three Events on Memorial Day – EA May 31, 2017

Posted on 29 May 2017 by Scott Cooper

In my article last week, I applauded Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam, for hosting the summit where United States President Donald Trump called on the world to work together to “Drive Out” those who seek death and destruction. Our Commander in Chief specifically stated that those who adhere to the death and destruction of infidels must be driven out of the mosques throughout the world. Although President Trump didn’t specifically state it, one should deduce he meant the mosques in the closed nations of the Islamic faith, like Saudi Arabia, from where he was speaking, as well as the thousands of mosques which are being constructed all throughout the Western Hemisphere. It should be noted that many of the newly constructed mosques throughout the West are on sites of former churches of both the Protestant and Catholic Christian traditions.

Monday morning, I had the privilege of attending the Memorial Day Service in Edgefield, where the names of fallen heroes from Edgefield County, who fought in past wars, were read. I am so thankful for Michael Washington, Edgefield County’s Veterans Affairs Officer, and all the others who organized this important event.

As I sat listening to the names of the fallen service members, who invested in us with their service and sacrifice in the Armed Forces, I couldn’t stop thinking of the thousands of civilians who are dying annually in the war Commander in Chief Trump was addressing one week prior. The warfare taking place today most often leads to the death and destruction of civilian innocents and most of their names will never be read in future Memorial Day Services. Yes, large attacks like September 11^th, 2001 we will continue to remember, and read the names of those lost. But the vast majority of skirmishes in today’s war, taking place on a weekly basis around the globe, will not be memorialized.

Then I reflected on another historic day which coincides with Memorial Day 2017 – the 564^th Anniversary of the fall of Constantinople, when the Islamic Ottoman Turks invaded and conquered the cradle of the Eastern Orthodox Church. On that day over 4,000 citizens were killed and some 30,000 were enslaved or deported. The majority of churches were burned. Constantinople was renamed to Istanbul.

Finally, I reflected on the demographics of the crowd honoring Edgefield’s heroes and the challenge we have ahead of all of us in educating not only the upcoming generation, but much of the generation currently in leadership about the worldviews which for centuries dictated the prevention and outcome of the wars those we memorialized this week fought in.

The Barna Group, which studies the five dominant faith groups in our republic has found that only roughly 4 % of today’s Millennials have an understanding of the Judeo-Christian worldview upon which Western Civilization was built. The percentage of Generation X’ers isn’t significantly better.

What encourages me about our time period in history, where our collective knowledge of these conflicting worldviews is so poor, is that we can rapidly improve our knowledge, if we are willing to make the investment.

More on making that investment over the coming weeks. Here’s wising you a productive week!

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President Trump in Saudi Arabia – EA May 24, 2017

Posted on 24 May 2017 by Scott Cooper

More than one contributor to The Edgefield Advertiser has written in the past about the conflict of worldviews between the Judeo-Christian Founding principles of our republic and other worldviews which stand in stark contrast to us. On more than one occasion, I have personally written about Islam’s conflict with Western Civilization.

I am so proud of our Commander in Chief, Donald Trump, who went to the cradle of Islam, Saudi Arabia, to deliver an exceptional speech this past Sunday then traveled on to the cradle of the Jewish and Christian Faith, Israel – and then later to the Vatican.

May all people of faith be in prayer for him and our U.S. delegation, and this new generation of world of leadership as it continues to unfold. We truly are living in historic times, where important paradigm shifts are taking place. Regardless of your faith, or where you stand politically, these paradigm shifts will impact all of us, in what I believe is the conflict of the 21^st century, much like the Cold War became the primary conflict of much of the last century.

If you did not watch President Trump’s Speech in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Sunday, I highly encourage you to do so – http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/21/politics/trump-saudi-speech-transcript/.

Not only will this week’s events sharpen our republics foreign policy for the coming years, it is forcing more and more Americans to seriously study the differences between these world faiths, which in my opinion, this is a good thing.

In closing, I applaud Saudi Arabia for hosting this past weekend’s summit. The effort to reform those who seek death and destruction, or as President Trump worded it, “Drive them out,” must primarily take place within the Islamic faith itself.

Fatherhood, Part One – EA June 15, 2016

Posted on 17 June 2016 by Scott Cooper

I have the privilege of sitting on a porch my great-grandfather sat on as our republic prepared for WWI. The same porch my grandfather sat on as he lived through the depression and our republic prepared for WWII. The same porch my father sat on as he worked through the issues of the Cold War.

Today, I sit on that same porch as my generation, and the generation of my sons try to figure out a way to pay off the existing debt and unfunded liabilities our elected leaders have created for us since WWII.

With the crumbling infrastructure we face at the same time as the out of control and mis-prioritized spending – combined with the global insecurity we face, the road ahead can seem daunting.

I am, however encouraged. My son and his entrepreneurial spirit encourages me. His friends who are also entrepreneurs encourage me. His friends, and other young family members who are serving or have served in the armed services, in addition to the countless others who are serving in the armed services, also encourage me. Technology and the ability / opportunity to self-educate also encourages me. The young man I met this past Saturday in Columbia, SC who will be a junior in high school this year, who is organizing conservative groups in high schools all through-out our state encourages me.

I believe the next greatest generation is being assembled – and with the right mentorship from the middle-aged, of which I consider myself a part, and older generation, my father’s generation – I have great hope for our republic.

I also was with some folks this past weekend who were saying, “God is coming back soon,” almost as if we should take our hands off the steering wheel He charged us to steward. To those folks I say – “Let us live as if He is returning tomorrow, but work as if He isn’t returning for a thousand years!”

This is the first part of a four-part series surrounding the issue of fatherhood, which I believe is one of the most pressing issues of our day, and appropriate since this month we celebrate Fatherhood on June 19^th.

I do find it interesting I wrote this on Saturday night, the night before the terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida. In this editorial, I referenced both my grandfather and my great-grandfather sitting on the porch thinking through the issues surrounding the World Wars they lived through. There are some who believe World War III has already begun, we simply have not had our Pearl Harbor moment, yet.

I hope you have a blessed week.

P.S. As we reflect on this inter-generational baton race we are in, you may be interested in the article I wrote last week, as we remember the Allied invasion of Normandy. Click Here to read that! If you find it interesting, please leave a comment!

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Discouragement – EA May 11, 2016

Posted on 11 May 2016 by Scott Cooper

I want to continue my theme that most of life’s issues are “non-respecter of person issues.

One afternoon this week I travelled down an incomplete road. Indeed, this time three years ago, this road did not even exist – except in my head!

Back then, when it was still just in my head, the road was about 150 feet to the right, down the slight slope. After speaking with someone more knowledgeable than myself, I altered the plan for the road a bit, then we went to work!

As I observe the foliage coming in, honestly I am a bit discouraged, because I am not as far along in the productive use of this land as I would like to be.

I am however encouraged because God has still provided me breath and strength to press on toward the goal. Press on, I will.

I can’t help but think of the millions of people discouraged right now, for one reason or another. It could be health, finances, concern over a loved one, a business, a marriage – or heaven forbid, civil governance!

Whatever discouragement YOU may face right now; I encourage you to press on. God has a perfect road for each of us. Sometimes it moves a little bit from what WE think it should be, and often HIS pace is not our pace. The point is – keep on keeping on!

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

I hope you have a blessed week!

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The Importance of Attiude – EA May 4, 2016

Posted on 04 May 2016 by Scott Cooper

This week I want to continue the theme that the laws of life are “non-respecter of person issues.” Last week I wrote about the Laws of Wealth Creation and Poverty, which I felt was an appropriate follow up to writing about Tax Day for two weeks, both Tax Day 1986 and Tax Day 2016 and how both of those days, separated by 30 years, remind me of two critical issues facing our republic, National Security and Economics. It’s funny how the more things change, the more they really stay the same.

It doesn’t matter who you speak with these days, both issues: National Security and Economics, bring a lot of emotions to the conversation. Some emotions consist of fear, trepidation, anger and bitterness. I also mentioned how we have leaders who accentuate covetousness and greed to obtain followers – attitudes which breed discontent as well as other negative emotions and actions.

I believe we are reaching critical mass in our republic on both of these issues. In both of the Tax Day messages I stated that when addressing the problems, we need to be focused on facts, not emotions.

“Facts are stubborn things.” John Adams

However, when it comes to emotions, I believe the most important emotion any individual can have when addressing these, or any other issue is that of attitude. With the right attitude, any problem or challenge can be overcome. With a bad attitude, chances are great that things will not only not get better, they will progressively get worse.

One of my favorite authors is John Maxwell. I am going to share some bullet points from his small book Attitude 101:

Attitudes have the power to lift up, or tear down a team.
An attitude compounds when exposed to others.
Bad attitudes compound faster than good ones.
Attitudes are subjective, so Identifying a wrong one can be difficult.
Rotten attitudes, left alone, ruin everything.

The question is, if we find ourselves with a rotten attitude, can we change it? Here are some additional points from Mr. Maxwell:

Choice 1: Evaluate Your Present Attitude
Choice 2: Realize That Faith Is Stronger Than Fear
Choice 3: Write A Statement of Purpose
Choice 4: Have The Desire to Change
Choice 5: Live One Day at A Time
Choice 6: Change Your Thought Patterns
Choice 7: Develop Good Habits
Choice 8: Continually Choose to Have a Right Attitude.

When it comes to attitude, I am pro-choice. We each get to choose the emotion that will lift ourselves up, or drag us, and others down. It is a non-respecter of person issue. Attending International School in Switzerland, I saw both good and bad attitudes in each of the 90 + nationalities represented at the school.

What are you going to choose?

I hope you have a blessed week!