John Wooden, the great basketball coach (and Purdue graduate) once said, “The worst thing about new books is that they keep us from reading the old ones.”

And we have all heard that one of the best ways to find a new idea or understand a concept is to borrow from another discipline or business.

From these two profound truths comes today’s post.

On Twitter (thanks@evantheshow) this morning I was reminded of an older quote:

“The best way to revive a church is to build a fire in the pulpit.” – Dwight L. Moody

Moodywas a 19 th century evangelist and spoke a lesson not just to those building churches.

While you might be reading and thinking about a church, the lesson is much broader.  Consider this:

“The best way to revive a team (or organization) is to build a fire in leadership.”   – Kevin Eikenberry, adapted

Note that Moody (nor I) am suggesting that the leader must be replaced.  While that might be required to create the “fire”, don’t start there.  Start with who you have; start with the fire.

If the word fire doesn’t connect for you, try passion. 

“The best way to revive a team (or organization) is to build passion in leadership.” – Kevin Eikenberry, further adapted

If you are the leader and want to revive your team, look in the mirror.  Are you passionate about your mission?  Your team?  Your Customers?  If that passion has been there but is waning, find your metaphorical matches or 5 Hour Energy drink and get back on track.

If you are a leader of leaders, think about, and engage those leaders in conversations about ways to spark or reignite their fire and passion.

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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