Vick Green

Coddling Of The American Mind: How Good Intentions And Bad Ideas Are Setting Up A Generation For Failure

From 2010-2015, while leading a college ministry on the campus of LSU, our team observed a significant change in how college students interacted with viewpoints different than their own. We watched students go from interested to apathetic to hostile towards differing opinions.  Coddling of the American Mind not only identifies this troubling trend, but provides great insight on what caused this shift and how we should respond. This book is extremely helpful to not just understand our college campuses, but our society. Lukianoff and Haidt address issues like racism, event disinvites, depression, and anxiety. They also show how three big ideas had good intentions, but are ultimately hurting the individuals that embrace them and impacting society on a mass scale.

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By Vick Green, ago

Learning Practice # 3: Read Broadly; Apply Specifically

If you were to ask great leaders, what has inspired them recently, you may be surprised that often their inspiration comes from something not directly related to their leadership context. This is because great leaders apply our third learning practice: Read Broadly, but Apply Specifically.

What Is The Opposite Of Fragile?

How effective would a gym be without weights? It would be useless because you removed the primary tool that builds strength. Or consider your immune system. If you already had chicken pox once, why will you most likely not have it again? Because you know your immune system has grown immune to the infection. Both your muscles and your immune system strengthen through applied pressure. The more that you shock the system, the stronger it becomes. 

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By Vick Green, ago

Why I Chose To Stop Reading The Bible On My Phone

From Paper To Pixel To Paper

Five years ago, I made the switch. My devotional time went all digital. I put my weathered Bible on the shelf with all its pen marks and notes scribbled on the side. I replaced my whole library with one simple device that could fit in my pocket. It contained thousands of commentaries, dictionaries, all my notes from seminary and my favorite sermons. My note taking was more thorough and my ability to search for things was better than ever. For a season, my phone greatly increased my Quiet Times. But eventually, though my head was full with biblical truth, my heart was starving for divine connection.

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By Vick Green, ago

Culture Code: The Secrets Of Highly Successful Groups by Daniel Coyle

Despite the plethora of books written on organizational culture, it still seems to be the thing that people just can’t figure out. We often don’t know why we do or don’t have it and are unsure about how to get it. In Culture Code, Daniel Coyle takes a fresh perspective on this topic and lays out simple steps towards developing a healthy culture. He shares intriguing stories from his trips to visit Pixar, the San Antonio Spurs, the NAVY Seals, and more. From these experiences, Coyle identifies what makes great companies great. You will be inspired by Coyle’s stories and gain insight from his simple, but profound principles. 

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By Vick Green, ago

5 Learning Practices Of Great Leaders

The Learning Age

Rick Warren said, “All leaders are learners. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading.” People have observed the correlation between learning and leadership for decades, but in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world, this truth must be embraced more than ever. Though there are timeless principles, how we express them changes constantly. Due to technology, many things that worked in our culture today, won’t work tomorrow. Gone are the days where the degree we earned twenty years ago is sufficient for the leadership we need now.  As Howard Hendricks said, “If you want to continue leading, you must continue changing.” 

Not only is there a greater need for learning, but it’s now easier than ever. Information that used to be limited to a classroom or a workplace, is now one Google search away. Furthermore, the learner can personalize their experience to what works best for them. Whether it’s through books, podcasts, blogs, or online classes, you can build your own “Learning Journey.” With knowledge now at everyone’s fingertips, the bar for leading has never been higher, but the barrier for learning has never been lower. 

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By Vick Green, ago

Book Summary: Team of Teams by General Stanley McChrystal

General Stanley McChrystal’s premise is that efficiency is no longer the most important thing to strive for in your organization. As someone who loves efficiency, I was slightly appalled, but also intrigued. The author does a great job explaining the complexity of our world and how its unpredictability makes adaptability imperative. This book will help leadership teams bring clarity to the organization’s mission and values so that it can empower its leaders to adapt and make decisions that allow the organization to thrive.

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By Vick Green, ago

TOP TEN BOOKS OF 2018: My Way Too Late December Post

Usually this is a post that is done in December, but since I wasn’t posting then, here it is in April. To make up for being five months late, I have included a Christmas picture that everyone can enjoy: Cousin Eddie! Below are the links to my favorite books of 2018. Throughout the year, I will write a quick summary on most of these. You can see some of my most recent book summaries here. For 2019 books, I will actually post on time. In the meantime, pick up any of these books and enjoy!

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By Vick Green, ago

Book Summary: 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke

The most invasive and prevalent thing in our lives today is technology. More than ever, it is imperative that we inspect the devices in our life and decide how we can steward technology wisely through establishing healthy digital habits.  There are few books that can dive deep into theology while also giving practical advice. Tony accomplishes this as his book provides moments for everyone. The deep thinker will have moments to pause and ponder, while the practitioner will have action steps to immediately execute.

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By Vick Green, ago