What’s on Your Mind? With Sam Chand

Posted on 5/23/2012 by Greg Ligon in the Learnings Blog

This week's installment of "What's on Your Mind?" is with Sam Chand.  Sam is one of the Top 30 global leadership gurus.  He consults, mentors and coaches some of the country's largest church Pastors, speaks regularly at leadership conferences, churches, corporations, Leadership Roundtables, Minister's Conferences, seminars and other leadership development opportunities.  In addition, he is the author of Cracking Your Church's Culture Code: Seven Keys to Unleashing Vision & Inspiration.  Join me as we ask Sam..."What's on Your Mind?"

 

1. What big issues or concepts are you currently thinking about or working on?

I’m thinking and working on my next major project which has a working title of “THE PAIN OF LEADERSHIP” in which I postulate that “…you’ll grow only to the threshold of your pain”. The more pain a leader can handle the more their growth capacity. So, right now I’m test-driving that thought in my leadership conference speaking, leadership roundtables and consultations and have found a strong affinity and witness to the concept of Leadership and Pain.

2. What book are you reading right now and what are you learning from it?

I’m reading a few books right now. Some of them are:
Walking the Talk – Carolyn Taylor
As One – Mehrdad Baghai & James Quigley
Practice of Adaptive Leadership – Heifetz, Grashow & Linsky
Reframing Organizations – Bolman & Deal
Cracking Your Church’s Culture Code – Chand  (!)
The most important lesson I’m learning is the crucial need for organizational alignment—when Product, Processes and People align creating that inspirational culture which leads to profitable, productive and healthy organizations.

3. Other than the Bible, what book has been the most foundational for your ministry?

Purple Cow by Godin which I read in 2003 when Seth sent the book out free packaged inside a purple milk-carton. This was the first book that challenged me to think “purple” in my own life and in all I do. Because of the thought processes introduced in that book I am able to be effective at a higher level.

4. Just for fun: what’s your favorite coffeehouse beverage?

Starbucks Caramel Macchiato with extra caramel

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To learn more about Sam Chand follow him on Twitter and/or visit his website.