For almost 300 years, from the late 13th century until the early 17th century, the English/Scottish Border region was in turmoil. England and Scotland were often at war during this period. The border families, including the Armstrongs, lived in the front line of this ‘war zone.’ This history is important to me because I am an Armstrong. It is equally critical to understand how clans led to leadership success. Let us ask ourselves, what does clan membership have to do with t

“We herd sheep; we drive cattle; we lead people. Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way,” General George S. Patton. General Patton was one of America’s most successful army generals of World War Two. Patton’s Third Army cut a bloody swath through German forces during the Liberation of France and the Ardennes Campaign, which is best known for the Battle of the Bulge. Styles of Leadership We have learned much from Patton’s observation and management style over the years. Toda

“… most Millennials enjoy being coached and mentored – remember they had a unique relationship with their parents and teachers in this regard. Offer them pointers and tips on workplace etiquette. You will probably find that they are grateful for advice that will help them move up the professional ladder and achieve the greater responsibilities that they want.  It can be a win-win situation.” – Lancaster and Stillman The M-Generation You have hired, or if you run family busine

“Yes, I am entitled to apply for a vice president’s job. I was a community organizer for two years and have been here a year already!” – A Millennial What is the singular greatest complaint leveled against Millennials? Many employers would say that this generation sees each new undertaking with a “sense of entitlement” that is entirely out of proportion to their age and experience. After all, as the M-generation sees it, shouldn’t they at least be allowed to apply for a vice

“To prevent or manage a crisis, focus on learning as much as possible as soon as possible so that you will be able to build relationships with the people who could be impacted. This includes customers, employees, and social media followers. If you do this, you will find yourself communicating with the right people at the right time and in the right place.” – Dr. L. Darryl Armstrong, Bluegrass Public Relations Society Speech In Chapter One of this series, we gave some general

The M-Generation “The best crisis to manage is the one you prevent!” Dr. L. Darryl Armstrong speaking to the National Association of Environmental Professionals You are trying to transition your business to the next generation of ownership, or hiring Millennial generation (The M-Generation) employees. You are frustrated and even chagrined! If you are not careful you will create a crisis for yourself and your fellow employees and managers. However, there is hope and we will pr

Trust is the foundation of every team. If I as a Leader have built no trust with my teammates I can’t build a team. Without trust we won’t as a team ever achieve true commitment, accountability, and organizational results. @DoctorDarryl #ChurchSafetyMinistry #Leadership #TeamBuilding http://www.ldarrylarmstrong.com #DoctorDarrylChurchSafetyMinistryLeadershipTeamBuildingwwwldarrylarmstrongcom #Consulting #Leadership #Teams

Planning for Emergencies and Crises at Your Church In our last column, we discussed the phases necessary to develop your church security plan. Develop a planning team. Facilitate a discussion and risk assessment using the Collaborative Informed Consent model. Draft your goals and objectives. To write and use your plan, use the six specific steps explained below. “Without prophetic vision, the people shall perish …” Proverbs 29:18 All planning begins with a vision. Your team s

A OneNewsNow.com survey of 4000 churches in 2008 found that 75% of them had no security plans! “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood.” Acts 20:28 “More guns are not the simple answer,” says Terry Mattingly at GetReligion.org. After the November Texas shooting, many small churches reacted by seeking a qualified Carry Concealed Weapons holder.  A reacti

Churches, like any other businesses in today’s environment, must take steps to ensure the safety of their congregations. Because emergencies happen to all businesses, a thoughtful and resilient emergency plan of action is prudent. As of December 19, 108 people were killed in churches in 2017. When an active shooter on November 5, 2017, killed 26 people and wounded 20 at a rural Baptist church in Sutherland Springs, Texas,  media, public, and political concerns reached a new h

Some of you know my work as a behavioral psychologist and a public involvement consultant. What you may not know is that I have known for some time that  the day would come when I, as a “Baby Boomer” (born 1950), would have to figure out how to work with the M-Generation.  I realized this as I witnessed the M-Generation evolve into the complex people they are, and I foresaw the trials and tribulations that lay ahead for all of us We typically think of this generation as being

“The best crisis to manage is the one you prevent,” Dr. L. Darryl Armstrong speaking to the National Association of Environmental Professionals You are hiring, like it or not, many members of the Millennial generation (The M-Generation). Most likely you are either a “Baby Boomer” or a “GenXer” doing the hiring. You are thinking that these people must not have grown up in the same world that you did. You think to yourself, we may have a crisis developing, and you have no idea

“Yes, I am entitled to apply for a vice president’s job. I was a community organizer for two years and have been here a year already”! What is the singular greatest complaint leveled against Millennials? Many employers would say that this generation sees each new undertaking with a “sense of entitlement” that is entirely out of proportion to their age and experience. After all, as the M-generation sees it, shouldn’t they at least be allowed to apply for a vice presidency of t

Part 2: How to deal effectively with the M-Generation In Part One of this series, we gave some general behavioral insights into the M-Generation, the people born between 1982-2000, who are currently entering the work place. In this article, we will look at the common characteristics that further define this generation and how to effectively deal with them. As Baby Boomers and GenXers, our parents invariably worked hard and often long hours to provide us a better life. Parenta

Art source: www.aboutbranding.co.za Most companies simply will not allow haphazard uses of their logos or brands. Break those rules and you are in serious trouble. Promoting a consistent message and visual identity is critical to “branding” and maintaining controls around variance of messages.In fact, once we have standardized our systems (think purchasing,hiring, interviewing, community outreach, media engagement, crisis and issues management, communications) we are able to

A recent situation at the Kentucky New Era in Hopkinsville, Kentucky shows how when team members understand that it is okay to assume leadership and take action that the end result is a better product for the customer. Taylor Hayes, the Publisher and CEO recently sent the following note to me and his staff about the actions of Windy Ezell, an employee in the business office who turned reporter/photographer for the day. Taylor’s commendation places it all into perspective and