Attention to Detail with Eric Byrd

Have a vision YOU'RE excited about Create a presentation Invite Folks, Have Food Have 1 Action Step Have an Immediate On-Boarding Plan Check Progress www.ericbyrd.com

The system must survive you The system must be self sustaining The System must be spelled out step by step The system should have substitutes See if you can set up the system in advance! VIP Consulting www.ericbyrd.com

5 Details on 2021 planning Have short and long range goals Find a resource of how to get there Provide evidence of what the goal looks like sounds like Find stakeholders to buy in to your vision Focus on the goal while also recognizing you may have to re-adjust www.ericbyrd.com

So angry we're not gonna post any show notes. You're just gonna have to listen! www.ericbyrd.com

Value Life Consider caring more about the collective than the individual Change usually happens out of necessity, pain or both Change is necessary Change can happen quickly Optics actually matter http://www.ericbyrd.com (www.ericbyrd.com)

The truth centers your compass - it is hard to lead people without truth, it is dangerous to make decisions based solely on feelings, thoughts, outside information. start with a value system and build your life on that. the truth is your integrity - people may not like you, they may not like your decision making, they may not like your leadership, but always be willing to give people the truth. If i care about you, the mission, the church, the organization i’m leading, i don’t always give you what you want to hear but I give you the truth the truth is power - rarely do I lead people out of my feelings but out of my power. And my power lies in my ability to be truthful. When I’m critical, when I’m loving, my power is in my words and those words are rooted in giving my team my people my family the truth. the truth is liberating - the truth rarely carries weight. A lie you have to live with until it’s dead. then you wonder how long do you have to keep it up, what happens when the truth is found out, etc. the truth has no expiration date - long after you have stopped leading people moved on, gotten fired, people will respect you - even love you because you gave them the truth. how awful would your family be if you only fed them ice cream and no meat to break down? www.ericbyrd.com

Always be kind Respect the other side Examine the Process Take blame, give credit Love the Greater Good free gift at www.ericbyrd.com Pass this along to someone/anyone that might need to hear it

VIP Consultant Eric Byrd speaks at the CFX Conference on Diversity Training For White churches. www.ericbyrd.com

VIP Consultant Eric Byrd speaks at the CFX Conference on Diversity Training For White churches. www.ericbyrd.com

What should families know as they navigate this time of education during pandemic times? Education expert Leslie Byrd tells you. www.ericbyrd.com

Eric's three sons - 2 in HS, 1 in MS - have been doing distance learning since the start of the pandemic. Hear them give perspective and insight on what students should do, what parents need to hear and how they are navigating such an interesting time as this.

LEADERS ARE DOING THE BEST THEY CAN IN THESE DIFFICULT TIMES If you think admins and teachers woke up today to make you miserable or they control the wifi in your home, you’re mistaken TEMPER YOUR EDUCATIONAL EXPECTATIONS Schools were never designed to teach students EVERYTHING.  This time in history is no different WATCH YOUR MOUTH - ESPECIALLY AROUND YOUR STUDENTS posting/verbalizing how stupid something is does not contribute to the long term success of your students ADVERSITY IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHOW HOW TOUGH YOU ARE Highlight the issues, how the odds are stacked against your students, then celebrate the wins reminding them how smart, resilient, strong they are PROVIDE PERSONAL AND HISTORICAL EVIDENCE OF HOW PEOPLE OVERCAME ADVERSITY Faith, jobs, health challenges, physical challenges, etc REMIND STUDENTS OF ADVERSITY THEY’VE ALREADY OVERCOME If you did it before??.... http://www.ericbyrd.com (www.ericbyrd.com) go to the web page to receive your free gift!

Interview: Stephanie Lippy, Conference Manager of the Church Facilities Conference & Expo Church Facilities Conference & Expo (CFX) is a new event and multimedia outlet serving the House of Worship market. Our goal is to provide church volunteers and personnel with a channel for education, information and connection with others in the industry. Partnerships with other leading media brands and companies the provide products and services to the church market create a beneficial synergy for everyone involved. https://churchfacilitiesexpo.com/cfx-virtual/ (CFX Virtual) CFX’s virtual program is an online conference platform offering learning sessions led by more than 20 industry leaders as well as opportunities for peer-to-peer connections and a chance to walk through a virtual exhibit hall featuring companies that offer products and services to help you grow your ministry. https://cfx2020-virtual.streampoint.com (https://cfx2020-virtual.streampoint.com) http://www.ericbyrd.com (www.ericbyrd.com)

Show Content JACK OF ALL TRADES, MASTER OF NONE This is actually accurate. GET BETTER AT WHAT YOU DO BEST DON’T DRILL A DRY HOLE We all have tasks we need done to be successful that may not be our strength.  Do not learn how to be better at it!  This is counterproductive. HELP - I NEED SOMEONE - HELP Find someone to do the things you can’t do well BE GREAT, NOT PRETTY GOOD Really focus on what makes you or your organization great.  Develop that! AND THE PEOPLE SAID? Ask your audience, congregation, customers, what you do really great. www.ericbyrd.com

KNOW WHO YOU ARE You’re not supposed to chase buffalo, or tigers or even whales.  You eat fish.  A lot of times we get into trouble when we forget what we’re supposed to be doing KNOW WHAT YOU WANT AND HAVE TO DO TO BE SUCCESSFUL Diving headfirst into the somewhat unknown can be scary.  But if that’s the gig, embrace the fear and move on.  The fish pelicans eat do not  get out of the water and walk around.  So if you want to eat, you gotta go after them CONSIDER OPTIONS Pelicans circle before they dive.  They consider, they look at options, they strike when they’re ready and when it’s a good idea. COMMIT 100% There is a difference between hobbyists and lifers.  Figure out asap which one are you because the paths will be significantly different.  I don’t know any successful people that don’t commit 100. SHAKE OFF THE MISSES If they come up empty handed, they don’t give up.  They don’t quit.  They go head first back in SUCCESS! NOW DO IT AGAIN Pelicans commit, dive in head first, eat, then do it all again if they choose to, in a new location in a new pattern.

REMEMBER THE MISSION I’m sure the family said ‘we’re going to the beach’ not i’m going to be on my phone for hours at a time….remember why you do what you do and keep doing it! EVER HEARD OF ‘DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF’? DON’T! Be careful you don’t make being busy your idol.  Story about WMC gospel choir and the sleepless nights...I learned to enjoy the experience because we were prepared BE STILL SOMETIMES Big momma used to say just be still and sit yourself down somewhere...enjoy the journey, don’t always be laser focused on results.  You might be missing out on something good and beautiful. PERSPECTIVE IS A GOOD THING Sometimes it’s good to remember your issues are simply not that big OBSERVATION IS A VALUABLE SKILL Somebody on your team seem down lately?  Have you noticed someone has been unusually stressed?  Late?  Upset?  If you are constantly distracted or into your own agenda you will miss valuable relational time with your team. www.ericbyrd.com

tamba be faithful over a few things little becomes much when put in the masters hands you can be talented but it’s not just that. have a relationship. the choir is your ally know your choir, know your limitations. start with easy songs, made them look good - repertoire knowing their limitations, choir music that can speak to everyone - corporate setting. know the pulse of the environment knowing the heartbeat of your pastor and your congregation how can I connect? willing to be vulnerable know what you’re good at and what you’re not good at Things the didn’t tell me about being a minister of music book know how to communicate - how to get your point across in 30 seconds book it is your ability to relate to people in an artistic way HOW HAS CHURCH WORK CHANGED OVER YOUR CAREER? the role has changed, audio design, producer, digital environment, etc. lighting is important, sound, doing it well. much more tech savvy prepare ahead of time. plan ahead. i’m in a producer mode now.

DON’T STOP It’s hard to stay motivated sometimes, especially now.  It might be exhausting when you feel like you’re the only one carrying the weight.  But don’t stop grinding, don’t stop believing, hold on to that feeling.  Remind yourself why you got in teh game in the first place.  Remember the initial spark you had which prompted you to get in the game in teh first place.  Go back to that place.  That will help during the dark times GIRD YOURSELF WITH TRUTH NOT FEAR The truth is you are probably prepared, best-equipped and qualified to lead in the season you are currently in.  You may not be able to answer every question right now, but there is a reason you are in the position you are in.  Fear can paralyze you unnecessarily.   DON’T RECREATE THE WHEEL - RESOURCE YOURSELF  Podcasts Books Blogs Friends & Family Referrals BELIEVE YOU ARE REQUIRED FOR SUCCESS You must believe in you.  Want the game winning shot.  If you don’t believe in you, why would your team? TRUST YOUR TEAMMATES You don’t have to do it alone if you have spent time cultivating a functioning team Ask your team for help when appropriate, to divide up tasks Tell your team why you’re engaged in the activity and how it will fulfill the mission Think the best of others (story of the reverb on live stream) Thank your teammates for their work, support, love,  Reward them with fun HUMILITY AND CONFIDENCE IS A TENSION WORTH HAVING Be humble enough to be a human being and not a machine, but display confidence you are necessary for the team to be successful SELF-EVALUATE Don’t spend time working on the things you don’t do well.  Spend time finding people to fill the gaps in your leadership.  Gift of administration, relational, hospitality, etc REWIND Repeat steps 1-7.  Leadership success is on-going.

THEY MAY ACTUALLY HAVE ONE Seek opinions from ‘qualified’ sources - people that have done what you are doing but doing it better, bigger, larger, faster, etc. That opinion may or may not be unbiased and helpful OPINIONS ARE LIKE ASKING FOR ADVICE Be careful asking the people you lead for advice, for you might give the impression you can’t lead and set the standard for the team INSTEAD, ASK THE WEATHER What’s the temperature of the team?  Individually ask ‘how’s the environment?’ do you know the mission of the team?  Am I serving you well?  If you were in charge what would be  INSTEAD, ASK FOR PRAYER Ask for support, ask for prayer.  Displays you take leadership seriously, you need help from God, proves you don’t have all the answers OPINIONS DO NOT EQUAL DIRECTION I may get a million opinions, while they may inform a decision they very well may not move the organization forward.  Ex.  your opinion may be dinner was awful.  I walk away taking that information personally, execution of the dinner may have been bad, food not fresh, etc.  But I may not know you’re a vegetarian.  Any meat dinner is not going to go well.  So you may spend energy getting a million opinions but they may or may not give you what you need to to lead well.  Give the school Covid example

PRAY FOR DIRECTION This is hard in every single way.  It’s turned political when it didn’t have to be, and acknowledge that, to serve God’s people with excellence, you need direction…. SETTLE ON THE FINAL PRODUCT Are you totally online?  Are you doing a hybrid of online and some sort of modified in-person worship?  Just in person?  Whatever it is settle on the medium with your leadership and try to blow that up as best as it can be DO AS MUCH ADVANCE PLANNING AS POSSIBLE Select music as far enough in advance as you can. When appropriate make sure your team is aware of sermon series or why certain selections are being made, how this will serve your people at this particular time, why the music is done in this way, etc. ENCOURAGE AT HOME INDIVIDUAL PRACTICE Make sure your team can and knows how to access the music Create demos or use online resources for demo/tutorials YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND! There is software/online resources that fill a band out if you don’t have one! I would much rather have music done well that is NOT a distraction than do worship music with a singer and an acoustic guitar if it is NOT done well.  Do what sounds good, what is not a distraction.  Psalm 33:3 - Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. IT WILL LIVE FOREVER!!! Whatever you do, do it as best you can because - if you’re doing it online - it is FOREVER!! It is a living commercial for your church.  Fortunately/unfortunately it must LOOK good, SOUND good, BE good and IS good.  If not, they’ll move some place where they get it right.

What the heck is a spricket?? Show Content WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF Name it so you can claim power over it. STEP ONE: WHAT HAPPENS IF Kick the can down the road a bit and play the game of, ‘what happens if whatever you’re afraid of happens?  What’s the worst that can happen?” STEP TWO: IF, THEN WHAT? Ok, then what happens?  (improvising at jazz camp...public speaking...starting a business, etc) PERHAPS NOT RATIONAL? Once we are aware of concerns/potential issues/problems, we now move from fear to making rational, informed decisions.  So I’m not afraid to start a business right now, I have gotten valid information that leads me to the conclusion that starting a business right now may not be wise for me at this time.  That’s a completely different vibe. THINGS GROW IF THEY ARE FED Don’t feed what you know is not true.  Don’t self doubt.  Don’t devalue.  Don’t self destruct but feed what you know to be true.  You are enough to be successful.  You might need more training or education.  More experience.  Might have to practice more, but most likely you have the capacity to be successful with the challenge set before you. THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE What prior success have you had?  When you had to be successful in other areas or in the past, what did you do there you can use here? What tools can you use as a template you can apply to other areas? Truth is you’ve probably experienced success before, so you’re likely to experience success again! PLAN FOR SUCCESS Now that you’re aware of what failure looks like, what has to happen for you to be unsuccessful, plan on the opposite.  Work hard.  Make a plan of action.

Dr. Doug Curry is on the faculty of Messiah University. He is an expert on worship, worship music and worship leading. Here are highlights from our discussion: -the pattern of worship is our response to God's revelation isaiah 6 -worship for isaiah wasn’t a keyboard but it was when he had a glimpse of who God is - then he responded -worship is largely about our response to God’s initiative, how are we involved in God's story, singing it, telling it, being silent -silence is your friend -think bigger deeper and broader than their experience because the future will look different -every church context has a history, tradition, and styles -Revelations 4-7 idea of the new heaven and new earth. God is bigger than any individual context -style is not the most important thing, it’s juts a thing -excellence is contextual but it glorifies God in every context. -move people with love. Paul ICor 12-15 = 13> that chapter is in the middle of the about worship. love of one another and love of God in our context. -your worship style can be an idol -Psalm 78: 72 david is described who lead people with integrity of heart and skilled hands -you need to develop talent and be good …yet I will praise Him

DO NOT TRY TO WIN THE ARGUMENT Seek to understand the nature of the conflict.  You can win, and you’ll lose the war. TRY TO DECIDE UPON A COMMON GOAL FROM THE OUTSET Why are we having conflict?  How can we avoid this in the future?  What can we do differently?  Do we have to part or can we work this out? THINK THE BEST ABOUT THE OTHER PERSON Instead of taking what was done against you as personal, imagine the person meant well but it just didn’t deliver well.  Instead of deciding before discussion the person did it out of spite, or is out to get you, decide they had good intentions. IF THE TENSION GOES HIGHER, YOU GO LOWER. As it gets heated, you get calmer.  Lower your speaking tone.  Speak slower.  Breathe deeper.  Do not contribute to the flame burning hotter. BE CLEAR WITH YOUR INTENTIONS. Just because you’re calm doesn’t mean you have to be soft.  Very clearly and calmly state your expectations (#2) and say what is a deal breaker for you.  What hill are you willing to die on?  What is super important to you that you cannot compromise on? DON’T BE EMOTIONAL WHEN YOU NEED TO BE LOGICAL Don’t cry, become animated, yell.  Do all that in the car ride home.  It makes you look weak and childish. DON’T GET INTO A FIGHT WITH A PIG They enjoy mud - you don’t INITIATE COMMUNICATIONS ‘Remember what we talked about’?  How am I doing with that?  Try to get to the root of issues before it builds up and explodes. CELEBRATE WINS ‘I like how I was able to express my problem with x and you didn’t make me feel uncomfortable bringing it up.

LEAD YOUR TEAM Come up with a loving, spiritual, healthy way to make sure your team knows you’re the leader.  Your leadership is either appointed or given by default so make sure your pastor/leadership affirms you.   WRITE THE VISION, MAKE IT PLAIN There is a difference between leading and managing so decide where you want the team to go.  Pray for direction, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you EXCELLENCE IS THE GOAL, NOT PERFECTION PICK REP YOU CAN ACTUALLY DO WELL RESOURCE YOURSELF WITH HELP Vip consulting, worshiponline, planning center, praise charts, multi tracks, etc WEED YOUR GARDEN.  NOW Get the unhelpful people off your team asap.  They will poison the rest of the team EMBRACE CONFLICT Explain you are moving toward a new thing ACKNOWLEDGE WINS ALONG THE JOURNEY

Put your big head in the way of the screen! What do I mean? Listen to the podcast to find out!! Here are the notes: HIGHLIGHT THE NEED Eric, can you move teh keyboard?  ‘sorry , I can’t’.  Can we move the projector? ‘Not really’. It took a few years, but the change happened because THEY thought it was a good idea to mount them from the ceiling. The idea may come from you, but the people (maybe) have to value the need to change DON’T MAKE DOING MORE THE SUCCESS PLAN Make sure you highlight the limitations if we don’t move forward. The plan for success is not having volunteers do more! CALL FOR BACK UP Get another organization to give testimonials How did this benefit them?  Is this what most orgz do? GET QUOTES Self explanatory but put that number in context with your orgs budget. “This will cost us 10k.  But our budget is 500k.  Is this worth .02% of the budget?  Not even 1% DISPLAY THE VALUE We can now do lyrics and weddings and funerals and multi camera shoots and…. GIVE LEADERSHIP THE CREDIT Things get done when you don’t care who gets the credit

Musician, saxophonist, educator and Artistic Director of the Mid Atlantic Jazz Festival Paul Carr has always been an inspiration for me and countless others. If he were just a jazz musician, he'd be on top of his game. But somewhere along the line, he defined himself as more than just a great player. He became a great educator, a great organizer and more. Here are some fabulous details that come out of our conversation: Organic Growth - running a jazz camp developed out of his love for teaching students Obstacles Create Opportunities - having trouble getting signed to a label? No problem! release your recordings independently! If you have an idea, try it out! Nobody dies if it doesn't work! (hopefully?...) The ideas from others can fuel your dreams www.ericbyrd.com www.paulcarrjazz.com www.jazzacademy.org www.midatlanticjazzfestival.org

Your spiritual health is just as important - more important, maybe? - as your physical health. Here are some details on how to get healthy! Prayer Changes Things Can I Get a Witness Resource Yourself Community Find Your Spiritual Happy Place www.ericbyrd.com

Crazy world out there...for some of us, at least. I called up a friend of mine who's a police officer. I asked him to pull over my 17 year old new driver over. I want him to practice being pulled over so he can come back home. Alive. It was a great experience. The officer could not have been more informational. Here's what we learned: RECORD WITH PERMISSION They will record you, you can record them but you have to tell them first That may escalate so use judgement THEY ASK, BUT THEY DON’T CARE They want to check your demeanor 90% of all crimes involve a car = that’s why they stop you I AM NOT A COP, I AM A HUMAN BEING DE-ESCALATE, DE-ESCALATE, DE-ESCALATE THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE HOW TO CHECK THEIR ID WHILE DRIVING 911 INVITE THEM TO YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD Listen for details. www.ericbyrd.com

The world is on fire. Tensions are high. People are on edge and some have lost their lives. Race has long been at the center of many tensions in our society. This episode will not solve racial problems; it will give you tools on how to start having conversations about race in a way that is empathetic, helpful, thoughtful and respectful. Take a deep breath Seek a different perspective than yours Have conversations within your comfort zone Resource yourself Be intolerant

Music Director Tyler Buisch, Mosaic Christian Church is a great friend of mine. We've played on each other's projects and we've grown from teacher/student to equal equal. He's a great man. Once a month or every 3 weeks or so, I'll interview a mover and shaker on how they do what they do so well. Here are some of the many details of truth illuminated in this conversation with my dear friend Tyler: There is a benefit to having specialists on your team, not generalists Everyone gets the same size pie - don't cut too many pieces for each piece will be smaller and smaller Your first 'no' may not be the last 'no'. It could be an opportunity to re-apply and get a 'yes' Leadership (like coaching) actually matters! Data doesn't lie! Use stats to inform your decision making Create an organization/church/environment you'd want your friends to experience Follow your mission, whatever it is, unapologetically Have a financial emergency fund Have a 'high truth, high trust' kind of team where communication can be critical but loving www.ericbyrd.com

What's the most important aspect of airline travel? It's probably the length of the runway. Here are some details on how to create positive organizational change, preparing your team that change is on the way. Change is Gonna Come Repeat it, Say it Again Benefits to You and Me Call for Backup www.ericbyrd.com

Wow....if you are one of the 23 people in the world that didn't watch THE LAST DANCE documentary on Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls and their 1998 championship run - (23, get it??!!?) - shame on you! Such great material, such great information. I think it is a 'must see.' As I watched it, I couldn't help but glean leadership material from it. So, here's what we discussed in the episode and the 8 details I took from THE LAST DANCE: Leadership has a cost Leadership can be lonely Leadership is necessary Leadership is not easy Leadership is not management Leadership requires change Leadership can have great rewards Leadership is focused on the mission not on the credit www.ericbyrd.com

First. Podcast. EVAH!!!! Whoo-hoo!! Thank you for jumping on board and riding along with us. This episode is our first one. Get to know us, like us, write a kind review: Highlights include: Re-establish your foundation Look at obstacles as opportunities Make your creativity intentional Be intentionally aware of positive bi-products We're coming out - now what??