Who is Brian Tubbs?

Brian Tubbs brings passion and insight to the subjects of personal development, leadership, history, and spirituality. His ultimate focus is on the subject of RELATIONSHIPS. Everything in life comes down to how we relate with others. Those who relate well with others tend to thrive personally and professionally. Those who struggle in their relationships have a tougher time.

Relationships are both VERTICAL (our relationship with God) and HORIZONTAL (our relationship with one another). As the pastor of Olney Baptist Church (Olney, MD), Brian focuses on both. (If you’re looking for information on Brian’s ministry, visit Olney Baptist Church or PastorTubbs.com. You can also read some of Brian’s faith-based writings at Suite101 Protestantism).

The main focus of this particular website, though, is what Brian has to say about HORIZONTAL (people to people) relationships, and this is where he’s able to bring his message to a wider audience. In his writings and programs, Brian emphasizes the critical role that communication skills play in a person’s career as well as an organization’s health.

You are encouraged to surf around this blog and check out some of Brian’s ebooks and articles as well as the recommended links for more information.

Questions For Brian…

“Why is communication so challenging?”

Because people are self-centered in their perspective. I don’t mean that in a judgmental sense, though certainly some people are quite selfish. What I mean is that every person is limited in his or her perspective. We relate with the world through our senses and think primarily based on what we directly observe and experience. The challenge is being able to effectively “see,” “feel,” and “experience” things from other’s perspectives, at least to the point that we can relate with them and constructively communicate with them.

“What is the most important, indispensable skill or trait for an aspiring leader to master?”

Think mindset. A leader is (first and foremost) a servant. Before a person can lead, he or she must sincerely desire to “add value” (as John Maxwell says) to other people. What can you, as a leader, bring to your organization or group? How can you help others succeed? And is that even a priority of yours? If you try to become a leader, without first being a servant, you will either fail in your quest — or you will do more harm than good.

“What holds people back in life? Why do some people succeed and others fail?”

To use a poker analogy (a game I don’t really play), some people have a tougher hand dealt to them than others. Some setbacks and challenges are forced on us by life and are not due to our own choices, attitudes, etc.

That having been said…I find that most people can influence the direction of their life either positively or negatively, based on their character, integrity, attitude, habits, and perseverance (or lack thereof).

“So, you’re a pastor? If we have you come to speak to our school, company, association, or group, are you going to preach to us?”

BT: I’m very sensitive to the religious and cultural diversity in our society today. While I never hide or deny my convictions and beliefs, I strive to give all my audiences an encouraging and educational experience. Furthermore, I always communicate ahead of time with the meeting planner or organizational head to insure that the content I bring is appropriate to the needs of the organization I’m addressing.

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Getting to Know Brian Even Better…

Favorite Periods of History

  • Biblical History (especially time of Jesus and the early church)
  • Early U.S. history (especially colonial period and the American Revolution)
  • American Civil War
  • World War II
  • Roman Empire

Favorite Quotes

  • “Truth is not the fruit of one’s imagination.” – Pope John Paul II
  • “Facts are stubborn things.” -John Adams
  • “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” -Edmund Burke
  • “We cannot guarantee success, but we can deserve it.” -from a Revolutionary War era play

Favorite Self-Help / Personal Development Books (other than the Bible)

  • How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
  • Hand Me Another Brick by Chuck Swindoll
  • The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by John Maxwell
  • Winning With People by John Maxwell
  • The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Favorite Novels

  • The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara
  • Gone For Soldiers by Jeff Shaara
  • Rise to Rebellion and The Glorious Cause by Jeff Shaara
  • Ranger’s Apprentice series by John Flannagan

Favorite Movies

  • Ben Hur
  • Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
  • Star Wars (original) series
  • Apollo 13
  • Lord of the Rings series
  • Indiana Jones series
  • Sergeant York
  • Amistad

Favorite Restaurants

  • Dairy Queen
  • Red Lobster
  • Outback