Willow Creek Association Leadership Summit

I had the most amazing opportunity to attend a leadership summit with the staff and some volunteer leaders from my church. We carpooled to Sparks, The Rock church, for the event which was broadcast via satellite. I am still trying to digest what I took away from two and half days of the most intense conference I have ever been to. Imagine, the best seminar/conference you have ever been to, to the 10th power, and add in a spiritual element. That was what it was like for me.

The conference started out with a multi-media presentation on the history of the church. It was so moving and so incredibly well done. It ended with the quote "All of us will write the next chapter." Meaning, I will help write the next chapter of church history. Is my contribution worthy? Probably, this struck me, because I write. Nevertheless, it was a powerful beginning for me.

So what did I learn? Well, one post I am sure will not cover it. I will sum up for now, but I think I will be unpacking the lessons for awhile.

Bill Hybels, A Vision to Die For

• Process the vision with key team members, this gives them a chance to speak into the future. It gives them ownership.
• Vision will leak because life happens. It must be constantly restated and retaught.
• Your followers will take their ownership cue from y0u, they will watch to see your level of commitment.
• Will you be willing to sacrifice deeply for the vision? Are you a hired hand or are you an owner?

Carly Fiorina, Tough Choices

• What you make of yourself is your gift to God.
• Ask the right question and people will learn the right answer.
• Leadership is about seeing and unlocking the potential in people. (Where would I be if others had not seen certain things in me?)
• Create experiences that put people outside of their comfort zone.
• Expect others to develop their own leadership skills.
• Respect for the individual is telling them what you really think.
• There is a gift in everything, if only we will see it.

Marcus Buckingham, Go, Put Your Strengths To Work

• Build around my strengths and manage around my weakness. (Usually one tries to build on their weakness. This is an awesome concept.)
• You only learn about excellence by studying excellence.
• People's strengths are our greatest asset.
• How do you move from using your strength once a week to most of the time?
• Make the best of your job into the most of your job.
• 4 signs of strength:
• S=success
• I=instinct, do you look forward to doing
• G=growth
• N=needs, were you put here to do that thing
• "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." Anias Nin
• Let tomorrow be a different day than today.

Colin Powell, Leading at the Highest Level

• Allow lots of flowers to bloom and take ideas from everyone.
• Encourage a noisy system.
• Be prepared to disappoint people and make them angry.
• Make sure you have fun along the way.
• Optimism is a force multiplier, i.e. the problem can be solved, we are going to make it.
• Things always look better in the morning - start each day new, tomorrow will be better.
• Trust the element of instinct.
• All of us have a debt of service that we may never be able to repay.

John Ortberg, A Leaders Greatest Fear

• Fear of failure, when a leader fails, it is public knowledge. (Ouch!)
• If we don't embrace a true mission, we will embrace a shadow mission.
• Don't surround yourself with people who will reinforce the shadow mission. People around the leader need to tell the truth!
• "And who knows that you have come to a position for such a time as this." Esther 4:14
• Ask God for clarity and courage to follow the mission to which I am called.
• God is at work behind the scenes and His purpose is certain.
• What is my shadow mission? (More on this later, but it is seeking approval.)

Jimmy Carter, Building Humanity

• Surround yourself with people of integrity and people with the same principles.
• Surround yourself with people that are capable in their own areas. You don't have to be the best at everything.
• We can accommodate changing times, but we must cling to unchanging principles.

Bill Hybels, Whatever You Do, Inspire Me

• Whose job is it to keep a leader motivated? It is your own job to keep your own self motivated. In 1 Samuel 30:6, David went off and encouraged himself in the Lord.
• Stay clear about your calling from God
• Leverage your spiritual gifts in the way God gave them to you.
• Surround myself with inspiring people.
• Read books that are inspirational and motivating.
• Participate in inspiring events.
• Pay attention to physical health.
• Practice daily spiritual disciplines to keep your spirit fresh.
• The best way to motivate those around me is to live a motivated life in front of them.
• Get a list from people of what would inspire them. Celebrate every sign of progress toward shared goals.
• Identify and reduce every demotivating factor.

Well, that was a ton of stuff to process. I would really like to revisit some of it for my own personal growth. I can apply so many of the principles I learned to my personal, spiritual, and work life. All in all, it was an amazing few days and I am so glad I had the opportunity to attend this event.