Larry Dawson L.E. Quotes

I’ve included some quotes of mine in case anyone wants to use them for their Leadership publications, blogs or books. Aside from wanting to speak at conferences I have always dreamed of writing prefaces or forwards to books. So let me know if you use the quotes to inspire other leaders!

“A good Blog has three things- A life lesson, an honest dialog back, and a bitter declaration and response from someone named “Anon.”

“Anyone can write a book- but can you write a forward to someone else’s?”

“Cynicism is the new optimism!”

“A good leader knows that if passion, vision and ownership don’t get your volunteers moving- free coffee will.”

“I got tired of not being invited to speak at Leadership Conferences, so I simply started my own.”

“The other day I saw an elderly woman sweeping the leaves off of the sidewalk outside of her home. I walked away convinced that God created leaves to give old people something to do.”

“I once beat Erwin McManus at a ping-pong game. He told me later that, although right handed, he played me with his left hand. So I’ve concluded that Erwin McManus has a strong left side of his brain, but a weak left hand. I still beat him.”

“Where would television and films be without the lack of morals in society? One word- BORING.”

“When I butt heads with another leader, I usually resort to snorting and stomping my foot on the ground, letting them know that this is my field, my volunteers, and my potential date for the evening (if she replies to my email.)”

“Leadership, delegation, and vision for the future would be very easy if it weren’t for other people.”

“It’s time to take the lead out of leadership and put it back in the pencil- sharpen it, then get right to the point.”

“The most important thing you need in leadership? People who are following you. Sure, you can lead a dog- at least until you run out of snacks. Heck you could lead a fly if you had a big enough pile of poop. That’s right I said it! Somebody had to.”

“Christians ought to be refocusing their protests away from same sex marriages and start focusing on what is really damaging our children’s futures. We have a major toy store in America teaching kids the incorrect way of writing the letter “R”.”

“A good leadership conference is like non-drowsy deodorant. Not sure if that product exists but that’s what it’s like. Think about it.”

“A good leadership book has three things. A good forward by someone who wrote leadership books that inspired the current leadership book, an accompanying work-book, and a most importantly, a picture of a lighthouse on the cover. Christians like lighthouses.”

“I believe the ability to use Saran plastic wrap effectively, without it getting tangled, is a gift that should be treasured and utilized within the church. You see its benefits and impact at picnics and the Sunday afternoon luncheons.”

All quotes by Larry Dawson L.E. given in various speeches, writings and comments while sitting in traffic on the 110 freeway in Los Angeles.

Awaken Conference 2008

Well, I finally did it! I spoke at my first conference! Awaken 2008! Sure it was just to let someone know they needed to move their car so that a truck could get out of the parking lot-- but I spoke it with passion and fervor. Some bloggers have already said that it was "just an announcement."

So what if it was?! This mans dream has always been to be a Christian Leadership Conference speaker and speaking at a conference is what I did! Even if it was an announcement.

How important is an announcement? Well lets break the word down shall we? The greek word for announcement is "agkelia." If that doesn't impress you maybe this will. Three strong words appear in the word announcement-

1.An- The form of A used before words beginning with a vowel or with an unpronounced.
2. Noun- The part of speech that is used to name a person, place, thing, quality, or action and can function as the subject or object of a verb, the object of a preposition, or an appositive.
3. Cement- anything that binds or unites.

My point? Only that at Awaken 2008 this year, I , Larry Dawson L.E. went on stage and didn't just give an announcement- I opened my mouth and spoke something of incredible importance and significance involving a very off the path, unique form of A that connected a person, place, thing, and quality to another object of a preposition that united and bound stuff.

Wow.

Can I sum up the Awaken conference in two words? Sure I can. "Non-Drowsy Deodorant."
That's right- this years Awaken Conference was like wearing non-drowsy deodorant. Not sure if the product actually exists- but if it does, my Starbucks trips will dwindle drastically. I make that comparison to a hygene product because for me, the conference was fresh- spoke into my stress and uncertainty- and made sure that I would stay awake through these long difficult days.

In case you missed my talk at Awaken 2008, I have transcribed my speech here. Enjoy and I hope it inspires you. Hopefully they will give me more time next year.

"Hello Everybody. You may be seated.
Please turn with me in your books to the note taking page, as you may want to jot some of this down. I believe in spiritual gifting. God given talents and abilities. For some of you it may be encouragement. For others, hospitality. For many of you- you have a divine ability to sum up the main three points of your message in your closing prayer.
For me? Larry Dawson L.E.? Well, my divine moment begins right here! Right now!

In closing, I'd like to leave you with this.
You might be wondering what the L.E. stands for in my name. It means Larry's Envitation.
One of you needs to hear this! One of you out there needs to hear what I'm about to say and when you do- you need to act on it. It's why I'm here.

If you drove a Black Honda Prelude, License plate 78DHE50- we need you to move your car because you're blocking a truck. Thank you everyone. Thank you Erwin McManus for this opportunity! God Bless you all. "

Taken from session 10 in the Awaken 2008 Conference held in Pasadena, Ca.
No portions of this can be reproduced without prior written consent.

I'm about to take the lead out of leadership, put it back in the pencil and sharpen it to get right to the point. Not using metaphors like the one I just used in your messages is one step backwards in effectiveness. It's like saying Amish people are ugly. I've seen the movie Witness and believe me, Kelly McGillis is not ugly.

Metaphors and symbols are powerful tools in leadership. People who generally argue against them in their blogs, saying that you are putting objects before God or worshiping pagan symbols are usually the same people who have a picture of themselves as their symbol or icon in their Facebook page or blogs. So I guess that means they worship themselves. Peanut butter and Idolatry sandwiches anyone?

It's hard to lead people and not use metaphors. Let me show you the impact they make. Lets suppose I'm facing some volunteers and I want to communicate a new vision to them. I could either say " Hey Everyone- I believe God is taking us in this direction. It may take risk but I'm willing to lead you there."

Or communicating the same point through one image or icon. I recently chose to represent my new vision for the C.C.C.C. by having my staff (my mother) stare at a Pop Tart. A Pop Tart is a powerful icon for Leadership and Conferences.

Boom. Done. Think about it.

Leadership Words of Impactfulness

One of the most important ideas I have on effective leadership, other than owning your own portable dry erase board, is having the ability to use large words to describe your thoughts, feelings, and procedures. I can’t say I have even near the extensive syllable skills as say- the lady who does my message voice mail, but I do know a thing or two about effective verbiage to raise the eyebrows of even the toughest skeptics.

For instance, you could answer a question with a normal, simple “yes." Or you could create longer lasting impact through large key words sparking imagery and creativity and stuff. Parabalic responses.

“Is your ministry doing well?” they ask.

“Does a one legged duck swim in circles?” you reply. Do you see the effectiveness and power of that answer? How about we look at another one.

“Is ministry difficult?” they ask.

“Does a Cracker Barrel have gravy?” you say with confidence. You see the power? A simple “yes” is not enough. (Feel free to substitute Kentucky Fried Chicken w/ Cracker Barrel.)

In my everyday leadership days of leadership decisions, two of the most powerful words I use are “bro “ and “sis.”

I compare them to Cantonese or Vietnamese. Same word—different tones mean different things.

BRO or SIS- with an upward tone means “Hey, I have something to ask you.”

BRO or SIS- with a downward tone means “Are you kidding me? Come on!”

Bro and Sis is that one word that covers all aspects of ministry- rebuke, exhortation, joy, and even sadness. Let’s face it—what other word pops in your mind when you greet a person you’ve met several times but can’t remember their name?

I believe "Bro" and "Sis" are important to ministry. But no other word is held higher with leaders who want to keep their jobs, than the word “anyway.”

Think about it! HAs this happened to you? A new young passionate individual joins the group and shares that one idea or thought or plan of action to makes you look bad in front of your peers or followers. This person wants your role, so what do you do? Humility comes into play and so does the fact that we are to be constantly raising up new leaders-

or-

A simple placement of the word “Anyway…” will put that person back in their place and signing up for Character analysis seminars.

Know the power of big words and how they can help you keep a grip on your job. It’s fundamentally imperative to your Conference reverie.