This week, we caught up with Ken Coleman to talk about his new book One Question: Life Changing Answers From Today’s Leading Voices.
TONY: So, tell us why you chose to write One Question: Life Changing Answers From Today’s Leading Voices?
KEN: As an interviewer I have discovered the power of a great question so I wanted to underscore this truth by asking the questions that mattered most to some of the people I admire most. What happened has become an unprecedented compilation of wisdom that can lift people in the seasons of success, survival and sustainment.
TONY: You asked John Maxwell about finding the right niche. Do you think that striving to be everything to everyone is a frustrating challenge for churches?
KEN: That is a GREAT question and the answer is absolutely yes. I speak about the importance of individuals and organizations finding their sweet spot. Our sweet spot is at the intersection of our greatest strength and our greatest passion. A church needs to find this intersection and apply laser focus and maximum effort in this space and not worry about who they are not reaching and what other churches are doing. I believe this would provide church leaders great clarity and peace.
TONY: Seth Godin said, “most of us are blind to what’s possible.” Can you unpack that statement for our readers?
KEN: Fear and rejection are the two big curtains that block our view of opportunities. We simply cannot see anything else due to our obsession with the emotions that fear and rejection create. The other big curtain that masks opportunity is the lack of belief. If we don’t believe we can make a contribution we naturally direct our mind’s eye down to the sidewalk. You can’t see what you are not looking for.
TONY: You asked Jim Collins why so many people live average lives and never make the choice to pursue greatness. His answer was fear of uncertainty. Why do you think fear of uncertainty prevents churches from making changes that need to happen?
KEN: Collins blew my mind with his answer because he is spot on. Ambiguity is what paralyzes all of us because we don’t know how things will turn out so we start thinking about what failure and rejection look like instead of what the future could look like if we make the changes we believe we should make. The reality is that we don’t know how any decision is going to turn out so the safe decision is just as ambiguous.
TONY: Based on your conversation with Patrick Lencioni, how can leaders become more decisive and confident in their decisions?
KEN: Pat delivered gold in his answer. Leaders need to make a decision and then put all their efforts into executing the decision. This advice is so liberating for those who make important decisions. Weighty decisions are the ones that paralyze us so if we can start making and executing the small and medium decisions firmly then we will build up the courage to make big decisions boldly.
