Love Learn Lead December 21, 2017

The countdown to Christmas is dwindling. In a few days Tony and I will get on a plane and head to the cold, northern shores of Lake Michigan to see our family in Wisconsin. There we will be greeted by one of the greatest gaggles of nieces and nephews ever. Every one of them will have grown way too much over the past year, which will make us feel both old and sad that we live so far away. But it will also make us savor our time with them all the more.

As we prepare for the Christmas weekend ahead, I thought I would share a quick appetizer I love, wise words from a wise woman about Christmas, and a Leadership Tip to make our Christmas brighter.

Love

There are times when we get so wrapped up (no pun intended), with all the details of Christmas that we miss or forget simple things. Like buying a grab bag gift, or figuring out what food we are bringing to a party. If you are in the latter camp, an incredibly easy yet delicious appetizer I love is Shauna Niequist’s Bacon Wrapped Dates, from her book Bread and Wine. It is salty and sweet, only has three ingredients, and doesn’t take long to make. If you need to bring something to a party this weekend, here is the recipe:

1 8-ounce package pitted dates

4 ounces goat cheese

1 16-ounce package bacon

Cut a small slit along the side of each date. Then open up each one a little and stuff it with about a half a teaspoon of goat cheese. Then cut your bacon strips in half, so they are shorter. Wrap each stuffed date with a half strip of bacon and lay seam down in a baking dish or sheet lined with aluminum foil. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until well browned and bacon is crispy. Slightly cool before serving.

What is your “go-to” Christmas party recipe?

Learn

“It is Christmas every time you let God love others through you… yes, it is Christmas every time you smile at your brother and offer him your hand.”

—Mother Teresa

How are you loving those around you this season?

Lead

Leadership Tip #13: Change the Subject

This is a special holiday leadership tip for all of those heading into a weekend with family members who have a different world or political view than yours. And it’s especially for those of us who have relatives that like to go on and on about these views. All of us have enough experience to know that debates at the dinner table will never change peoples minds. It does however make for an awkward, indigestion-inducing meal.

So, rather than packing the Tums and bracing yourself for minefield filled conversations, try to think of ways of changing the subject. Think about things your whole family can agree on, ask good questions about their lives, or tell them about a trip you took this year. Come to the table ready to tactfully shift the conversation in positive directions as much as possible. It might not fully work, but its worth a try!

There are so many of us stuck on the negative and divisive aspects of our world, when there is still so much good that we can all agree upon. As leaders, we have the opportunity to shift the focus and change the story of those around us, simply by pointing to what is good. We just need to work on changing the subject.