Traveling and seeing new things is part of my fabric and being.  Somewhere I read a long time ago about how most great leaders have had a significant cross-cultural experience prior to becoming a great leader.  See Teddy Roosevelt traveling the Nile as a teenager, Bill Clinton in England for college, and on and on.  To see things only from the perspective of your country, or your town, or your family – has value, but is limited.

A few years ago I made my first trip to Europe to visit my friend Jono.  Jono lives in Sweden and works for Volvo Car Corporation.  It was really interesting for me because the minute I arrived in Copenhagen, Denmark to catch my train across the North Sea to Malmo, Sweden, I realized things were different.  First off, I was the only person out of hundreds who was wearing a baseball cap.  Now, in the USA, wearing a baseball cap is like wearing socks.  But not in Sweden apparently.  I remember this one moment where I took my hat off slowly and kind of looked around and realized this was going to be different.  The rest of the trip I kept thinking – wow there are things that other cultures do that make a lot more sense than how we do things.  That was surprising then, but not anymore.  Swedes are great with use of space – (See Ikea) – we as Americans, generally waste space and have more space than we really need.  Swedes also don’t try to out do one another – oh someone bought a new car, I have to buy a better car.  There was lots I learned while visiting my friends in Sweden. 

During the past three years I have had the privilege of traveling to London, England twice to work with college age leaders.  That was a blast because both times we taught them outside, once in Kensington Park, and another time right by the Tower Bridge.  In England I realized Cuban cigars are not illegal, if you ever wanted to buy one, hotels are smaller, people drive crazy and on the other side of the road, and public restrooms are clean and clean themselves automatically after every use.  What a concept! 

This post is just a reminder to go and experience other cultures.  I love the USA, but we certainly do not have a stranglehold on what works or what is the best way to do things.  Off to go hiking…   JVD

Today I had the rare privilege of playing golf in December.  You see I am a Minnesota golfer so that means my season runs from cold March to cold November.  Today I played golf at the Clemson University course and shot a 92.  I even shot a 43 on my first nine.  For being my second round in two days, but first golf in 6 weeks, I was quite happy.  The grass goes dormant here in South Carolina so it is sort of like playing in outer space, but it is still golf and the greens stay green.  I also played the day before yesterday and shot 104. 

Tomorrow I am going to play golf again, and probably play on Thursday as well.  Vacation is good.  I checked my email today and found that I only had 12 new emails.  On an average non-vacation, non-holiday day, I would get anywhere from 40 – 80 emails per day.  it is nice for things to be a bit slow right now, no complaints from this guy.  I am not really good at slowing down, its the Activator and Achiever and Focus working in me.  But on vacation I turn it towards reading, running, and golfing.  My wife came with me today to golf and she is a great companion on the golf course.  Most of the time all the golf thoughts running through my head stay in my head, but with Danielle there, she gets to hear all about what I am doing, or what I did wrong or right. 

Today Danielle told me she was going to run a marathon, and I decided I would go for my third marathon this fall.  We are going to run the twin cities marathon 2006 in October.  I know what it takes to train for a marathon and I think it will put me back in tip top shape.  You see I run 4 times a week, but marathon training will almost double what I run.  So, the extra 5 lbs I am carrying will probably melt away.  Nice for summer. 

Well that is it from South Carolina.  Talk to you later alligator.  JVD

I am currently on break in South Carolina, and now have time to read.  The book I am working on right now is a book on Theodore Roosevelt, “The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt,” by Edmund Morris.  This book is an outstanding portrait of an amazing man.  Earlier this year I read the sequel to this book called, “Theodore Rex,” about when Teddy was President.  This book I am reading now is the run-up to his presidency.  This book is great, but dense.  It is like 800 pages, so be in for the long haul. 

Here is what I am learning from the book:  There is a time for reform, and leaders make reform happen, not bureaucrats.  This is such an important principle.  Do you ever want to make change happen and you run into whatever system you are a part of?  Does the system ever push you back and try and slow change down by saying things like, “We have always done it this way,”  or, “We don’t have the staff to make that happen.”  I have, and it is challenging.  Teddy was great at making change happen.  Now, as you read through the book, you will find many people were not his biggest fans.  If you are going to be a change agent, there will be many – typically from the system you are trying to change – that will fight you tooth and nail as you try to make change happen.  That is ok, if you are doing it for the right reasons, and you have the right counsel supporting you – it can work out. 

What is the fuel for this type of behavior?  Courage.  Plain and simple courage.  Teddy had unwavering courage.  Courage, as a friend of mine likes to say, is not the absence of fear, it is the absence of self.  How can you lose yourself today to help make change happen?  As I refocus my thoughts and reset for another year – I am going to be involved in three main areas of professional life:

1)  My job as Director of Admissions & Recruitment at Bethel Seminary.

This is my main task, obligation and I am going at it full force this coming year.  After 2.5 years of learning my job, building up credibility among my peers and staff, having tangible results, I can now launch into the next phase of what I want to do with my job.  I am really excited. 

2)  My company, Tuleva Consulting. 

More and more I am asked to help organizations function in a more efficient way both through staffing and systems.  I also help people on a one on one basis be more effective and have some life direction.  I also am able to teach some of this accumulating knowledge through mentoring networks and classes that I get to guest lecture in.  This is where I use a lot of my Gallup StrengthsFinder knowledge – and it is a blast. 

3)  Coaching Junior Olympic and College Volleyball. 

I am currently coaching 16 year old girl’s volleyball with Minnesota Select.  This has been really fun, and we play our first matches in early January.  My girls are great, and fun to be around. 

In the fall I play on coaching once again at the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, MN.  This will be my second year, and we have some great recruits hopefully coming in.  That will also be a blast to be a part of. 

This year I want to challenge you all to focus on doing a few things really well.  Try not to dabble randomly without making an impact – use what you have, or find something better to add on.  That is my challenge to you. 

So, wherever I go, I will hope to change things for the better – TR is one of my life-mentors from a distance.  Courage is what he displayed, and I hope to do the same over this next year.  Thanks for being a part of my journey.  JVD

Investing in others – earlier this month I spent some air time on the subject of mentoring.  We had a lively discussion with some good viewpoints.  Now I want to talk about the subject a bit more broadly – investing in other people.  I am very fortunate to have people in my life who are investing in me.  People like Danielle, Greg, Steve, Brian, John, Todd, Rush, Dave, Chip, Sean, Adrian, Michelle, Mark, Thorsten, Leland, Greg R, Greg M, Bjorn, and others – they just give and give to me, and I don’t even deserve it!  They are all gifts from God in my life. 

That should, and on good days does, cause me to want to invest in others.  I can’t tell you how warm it makes me feel inside when someone says to me, “I want to help you with your career and life.”  And, that those people want absolutely nothing in return.  They give me this help – for free!  I try and do the same for some folks out there, but the people I listed are my example.  Thanks for being such a great example!  Jack Welch, former CEO of General Electric, arguably the most successful company of the past 100 years, once told his up and coming executives they only had one main responsibility when they worked for him – “To find and train your replacement.”  My current boss was in the meeting where Jack said that, because he worked for GE at the time.  So, the thing I think about every day is who am investing in, and at work, who will be my replacement.  We cannot hold to tightly on to any responsibility we are given, because it is not ‘ours’ per se, but really something we are given to be responsible for. 

Chew on that.  JVD

If I die, for the record, I want this song played at my funeral:

I’ll Fly Away Lyrics

Some bright morning, when this life is over

I’ll fly away

To that home on God’s celestial shore

I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away, oh Glory

I’ll fly away, in the morning

When I die, hallelujah by and by

I’ll fly away
When The shadows of this life have gone

I’ll fly away

Like a bird from these prison walls I’ll fly

I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away, oh Glory

I’ll fly away, in the morning

When I die hallelujah by and by

I’ll fly away
Oh how glad and happy when we meet

I’ll fly away

No more cold iron shackles on my feet

I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away, oh Glory

I’ll fly away, in the morning

When I die, hallelujah by and by

I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away, oh Glory

I’ll fly away, in the morning

When I die, hallelujah by and by

I’ll fly away
Just a few more weary days and then

I’ll fly away

To a land where joys will never end

I’ll fly away
I’ll fly away, oh Glory

I’ll fly away, in the morning

When I die, hallelujah by and by

I’ll fly away

I’ll fly away

I hear all the time about the need to be diplomatic and to not burn bridges.  The older I get, the more I realize how true this is.  My imperative for you all today is to take the high road every time.  Count the costs before you wage a battle on someone.  Who will it affect?  Who will be impacted now, and in the future?  Will this person or organization that you ‘take on’ every be needed in anyway in your future? 

Some of us are not natural bridge builders and harmonious folks.  Some of us are called to move others or organizations into action.  You can’t always be diplomatic when you are trying to change something.  But I implore you today – count the cost before you wage war.  As one mentor says to me, “Joseph, what hills are you willing to die on?”  The older I get the hills get fewer and fewer, but are more and more important.  What hills are you willing to die on?  What are your non-negotiables. 

A friend of mine recently was ousted as a youth pastor of a church in a smaller town.  As I dug into the story there was fault on both sides, people’s feelings were hurt, etc. etc.  But, as I checked out the story from all angles I realized my friend was taking on every battle that came his way.  Arguing with secretaries about trips / dates, the way the phone was answered etc.  Picking the wrong battles. 

Before you wage war – ask a mentor or friend if it is worth fighting over.  Trust me on this one – I am learning about it more and more every day.  JVD

Today I was reflecting on the fact that it is the holiday season.  For the first time in my life I will be part of a duo (wife & I) that will be sending out a Christmas letter and a picture of the two of us.  I have to be honest and say, to me, if we send this letter & picture & card out, great, but if not, I won’t lose sleep over it.  But, in being a supportive husband, I will be more excited about it because it is important to my wife.  With that said – what do I have to reflect on this past year?

I started blogging for real.  This has been a really cool thing and connected me to many people who I normally would not be connected to. 

I have a great wife, condo, city, and job.  I am really blessed to have as much opportunity to refine & advance my life and career. 

I have a wonderful family – they are just the best.     

I have great friends – you all know who you are and I could not do it without you. 

My Dad died this past year and I think that is something I will process through for a long time.  It is a really sad thing because he died, alone, and he never could kick his problem with alcohol.  We are still trying to settle his estate, and I think there may be some more closure when that is done.  But for now, it will be a different year in 2006 because he is gone. 

My sister had a new baby, Alison Rose – and that is a great joy for our family.  Alison was born the same year my Dad died, kind of symbolic and God’s way of telling me he is always in control.  Thanks God!

Last year at this time I was debating future careers, plans, etc.  A year later I still think about these things but really don’t sweat them that much at all.  I just have to take care of what I have been given today and not stress over where I will be in 10 years – I think it will be a fun place. 

Speaking of taking care of things – I will go and do that.  You should probably do the same.  JVD

Do you remember snow days as a kid?  I do – boy were they fun.  But now Chicago very rarely has snow days as the climate has definitely changed – less snow, warmer temps – so I am glad I a was a kid in Chicago in the 70s and 80′s.  Anyway – today we have a good amount of snow on the ground in Minneapolis today with more to come.  So I am working at home this morning avoiding the 4-6 inches we have on the ground.  My normal commute is about 18 minutes, and today it could take 90 if I left right now.  So, we will take it easy and go in a bit later. 

The picture you are being treated to is of both my nieces.  My niece Taylor who is 6.5 years old and my new niece Alison who is .01 years old.  What a fun picture!  Hope you have a great day wherever you are.  JVD

Welcome Back.  Recently I was confronted with a lesson that I need to keep learning and keep telling people about.  Someone I ran into, who we will call Betty, inserted themselves into a situation without knowing much of the big picture.  This person, Betty was so sure and started questioning practices and calling meetings, writing memos because they were sure they were right. 

The issue here was having a limited perspective and coming out of left field.  Do people you work with ever do that?  Do they ever reinsert themselves into situations where they don’t really know what they are talking about?  I know I have done it in the past and today I am making a marked effort to really try and never do that to people I work with.  We may never be able to have ‘all the facts,’ but we need to solicit opinions, get other points of view, and make sure we know what we are getting ourselves into before we just shoot our mouth, or email off, about something where we don’t have all the facts. 

Just a caution for you as you go about your day in whatever organization you are a part of.  Take care, and stay classy San Diego.  JVD