Considerations for Starting a ShieldLock

The Sky Q can reach out to a man in different ways. This post was prompted because it took 3 HIM to help prompt me to capture some lessons learned when we started our ShieldLock in ENC. The real spark came when Arkansas and YHC were rolling up the Mountain Goat Leg 33 of the BRR together. #ISI

About a year ago, Tonka and YHC started taking about a ShieldLock. Something to keep us accountable. Something different from the group of best F3 friends we already had. A ShieldLock is a structure for the horizontal acceleration of men. It’s a small group of 3-5 men. Four men seems to be the right mix for making sure the team stays solid over time. It’s about accelerating together more than drinking beer and being friends. However, you will quickly find a good ShieldLock contains your most trusted friends.

In order to work, each man has to accelerate, which means this is not a structure to build up a single man – that is a Whetstone relationship. Here is the link to the ShieldLock blog in QSource https://www.google.com/amp/s/f3nation.com/shield-lock-q1-7/amp/

A ShieldLock is not a forever bond sealed in Blood. If the 3 Ps are not working, then change it. Sometimes that means one guy drops and finds another group to accelerate with. This is key to keeping the process consistent.

Here are a few useful considerations for your ShieldLock

3 Ps

• Periodic – Must schedule the meetings proactively; every week or other week seems to be a good spacing. Either set a schedule or make setting the next meeting the very first agenda item. My ShieldLock meets every Thursday.  
• Proximate – Face to face is key; can call/text in-between but connection is key to trust. Find a workout or set a time to get together. The more natural the timing the better. If guys need to workout in the gloom, structure it around that time. It’s more likely to become a positive habit. 
• Purposeful – it has to have a purpose that will get men up when they are exhausted. Two Powerful Shield Lock Questions keep it purposeful for YHC: 1) What are some ways you have seen God in your life this week? 2) What are some ways you need God in your life in the upcoming weeks?

The Crucible

• Although not required, the Crucible is a central feature is setting the tone of the conversation towards accelerating each man
• a crucible is the heavy container used to burn the imperfections out of iron ore to make steel. Without proper heat and time, the Iron is weak and brittle
• The workout before a ShieldLock should take the same form – it should be tough and force each man to accelerate individually. This requires balance if one man doesn’t run as fast or another is slow at burpees. The key is similar acceleration and constant growth.
• This model comes from Stinger, the QSource Q: workout for 45-60 min then ShieldLock for 30-60 min after.
• Try this to start: 0500-0545: Crucible workout; 0545-0615 ShieldLock conversation.

The ShieldLock Process

• each man takes a turn answering the first question about how he saw God in his life. This is a reflective question designed to promote gratitude and inspire men to take similar steps in their life. Iron sharpens iron and success breeds success. It’s amazing how one guy talking about vacuuming the house inspires another to do the same or a story about a fishing trip with the boys inspires breakfast at Waffle House with the girls for another.
• Then each man takes a turn talking about how he needs God in his life. This is a time to be vulnerable and ask the ShieldLock to hold you accountable. This can be the most powerful part of a great ShieldLock. 
• The entire conversation can follow two themes of virtuous leadership 1) the Concentrica and 2) the Royalty Race
• Concentrica– Talk about the relationship with 1)M; 2) Shorties; 3) ShieldLock/Whetstone; 4) Mammon
• Royalty Race – talk about 1) King – your exercise; 2) Queen – your food and health; 3) Jester – what might derail you

Other things to consider for a stronger ShieldLock:

• (i) the importance of having the men in the Shieldlock share basic views on / generally demonstrate the same level of commitment to the 3 F’s
• (ii) when possible, make it a priority to try to post more together than just the day of your Shieldlock session. If you can maintain the pulse of the guys in between sessions, you will be better prepared when you formally circle up. And it just further strengthens the bonds of mutual trust and love.
• start by finding one man you think is accelerating at a similar speed in the 3 Fs. Then find another by talking it out. Then invite a fourth man. Starting with 4 allows the ShieldLock to invite one more or loose a man and still function. Remember it’s an evolving structure designed for constant acceleration.

Reach out to Bono in ENC; Stinger in Metro, who is a stud YHC totally trusts and respects. More importantly just do it as long as you follow the 3 Ps.