The Global Leadership Summit 2010

I attended the Willow Creek Global Leadership Summit on 5-6 August. Listening to Bill Hybels speak on Thursday made me realize the importance of not giving up on things that you set your sights on; his humble, honest, and inspiring opening presentation on not quitting was great. His advice on getting off the fence by doing the following tasks was very helpful: Take risks, step up, apologize now, make the tough decision (you know the one), get help, stop running from God, slow down, show your heart, let others lead (for those who are high control), feed your soul, bless the team, make the ask (ask the question), do something more impactful, come clean, speak the truth, count your blessings, end the secret, check your motives, give God your best, set the pace, get physically fit, serve your spouse/family, humble yourself, and finally say “speak Lord, your servant is listening”.

The presentations by Jim Collins, Adam Hamilton, Daniel Pink, Jack Welch, and T.D. Jakes were highlights of the summit for me. T.D Jakes was the last speaker and he was very inspiring. Key points he made are:
• People cannot simply follow, you need to have your own inner passion to lead, imitating is not enough and copying is not sufficient. Leadership is about lighting a lamp that doesn’t go out, if it goes out your staff won’t be able catch the same vision and passion.
• Employers should not tolerate employees who don’t have any passion for their jobs or the mission of the organization.
• Its one thing to stretch people, but don’t rip them apart, ripping them apart will only make them feel defeated
• Deliver on your and your staffs promises; make sure they fully understand your vision.
• Passion is more the emotionalism, it’s the force behind it, but it’s not simply an emotional reaction
• Leaders need to deliver
• Leaders, there are two types; builders and bankers. Builders are ones who start with little and build a great organization or anything they focus on. They are better at building than maintaining. Bankers are maintainers, they are good partners for a builder, but all of one type are detrimental to the organization
• Surrounding yourself with the likes you is not good, you need to surround yourself with people who have other skills that don’t duplicate your own
• Jesus did not pick one rabbi, he picked fishermen…
• A good team completes you and don’t compete with you, they add to you, they’re assets not liabilities
• Confidants are people who are there for you all time, trustworthy, 2-3 a lifetime is a good number, don’t expect more
• Constituents believe in the mission, they are not confidants!
• Need to direct the fighter to the fight, you don’t want them fighting you
• Those that are passionate are effective, when your heart is overwhelmed, go to the rock…God is there to renew your strength