b'DEAL WITH THETHREE NEW WAYS UNEXPECTEDTO MAKE CRITICAL DECISIONS Life is unscripted. For many peo Drew Poveyan influential leadership consultantoffers help with critical decisionmaking ple, it takes days, months, orfor the immediate, mid, and longterm performance of an organization. He has fieldtested even years to feel back ona system he calls the Triple P model, encouraging a measured approach to making critical track after one of lifes interruptions. Thatdecisions when they arise. This method includes three key action phases: time is often spent wishing things werePause different, regret Povey believes that when we get caught up in moments of pressure, its easy to maketing choices, andkneejerk decisions that we havent had a chance to assess, resulting in uninformed choices. wondering ifTaking a breather buys time to think about and decide on the next move. God even cares. Author and pro Perspectivefessional improvStep back and see the bigger picture by seeking comedian Mikeothers views to gain greater clarity and perspecDomeny (321tive. Use the pause time to seek out views, talk Improv) knowsto colleagues, or complete research. how it feels toPrioritiesdeal with theYou should now have enhanced clarity to set unexpected. Inappropriate priorities in the decisionmaking Thrown Off Scriptprocess. This enhanced clarity will bring impor(Author Academy Elite) he takes principlestant factors into sharp focus. When setting priorthat make improv work, sprinkles themities, its helpful to ask fundamental questions with quick humor, and parallels them withthat will frame thinking and enable people to lifegiving truths from the Bible to addressmake the right decisions.fears, doubts, and feeling stuck, and helps readers recognize interruptions as growth opportunities.SIX PRACTICES THAT MAKE MINISTERING TOYOU A BETTER LISTENERGENDERDIVERSEOften, the key to overcoming a difficulty is to stop talking and start listening, yet few people have mastered the art TEENSof listening. Ken Blanchard offers these six practices to According to Publishers Weekly,sharpen your listening skills This inviting text provides a1Resist the temptation to jump inControl the impulse useful framework for Christiansto finish peoples sentences or fill silences with your to use in approaching what can be diffi own opinions and ideas.cult conversations around gender iden 2 Pay attention to body languageWatch a persons face tity. In Emerging Gender Identities (Brazosand body movements for clues, while being sensitive to Press), Mark Yarhouse and Julia Saduskyyour own nonverbal signals.author a measured Christian3 Ask questionsUse well thoughtout questions to seek response to theinformation, opinions, or ideas that help you underdiverse genderstand what is being said. Use openended questions to identities anencourage communication.increasing number4 Reflect feelingsAcknowledge emotions the person of adolescents are embracing expresses, and show them understanding by restating offering an hon their feelings in a nonjudgmental way.est, scientifically5 ParaphraseRestate in your own words what the perinformed, com son said to ensure that you heard them correctly. passionate, and nuanced treatment for all readers who6 SummarizeCapture the main points, general care about or work with genderdiversesequence, and conclusion of the conversation.youth. Based on the authors clinical and ministry experience, this book providesThese practices require time and effort to master but will guidance for practically engaging andhelp you build more satisfying relationships, as well as avoid ministering to teens navigating diversethe errors, frustrations, and inefficiencies that come from genderidentity concerns.unclear communication. SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG 55'