Global Leadership Summit

Last week I had the privilege of attending The Global Leadership Summit. This is an annual leadership conference put on by Willow Creek Community Church that is geared toward equipping leaders--particularly those within the church. The conference features some of the leading thinkers on leadership from all over the world and from a variety of professional backgrounds. While the actual conference takes place at Willow, it is simulcast to sites all over the United States and eventually to sites all around the world. We were able to take about 30 people from our church this year to one of the satellite locations. And let me tell you that we were not disappointed. We heard from some great speakers with some great insights. It was like drinking from a fire hose!!!

While there were a lot of great insights on leadership, here are a few that stuck out to me:

(1) "When you invest in your leadership everybody wins." (Bill Hybels)

This is undoubtedly true, and yet, very easy to forget. Sometimes we run around a million miles an hour trying to maintain a thousand different commitments and end up completely neglecting our own growth and development. We will be in a better position to lead others when we make leading ourselves a top priority.

(2) "Leaders need to distinguish between problems to solve and tensions to manage." (Andy Stanley)

This was the most helpful insight for me. Every job has problems that can be solved and tensions that need to be managed. We can place unnecessary pressure on ourselves if we expect to completely eliminate or solve a reoccurring tension that ultimately has no resolution. It is incredibly freeing to stop trying resolve reoccurring and unsolvable tensions and instead focus on managing and minimizing their damaging affects.

(3) "Never give up" (Bill Hybels, Jim Collins)

The theme of never giving up popped up throughout the conference and in a variety of ways. One way had to do with perseverance in the face of setbacks. The reality is that life is full of obstacles and is often easy to slow down and give up when facing challenges. Bill Hybels talked about how the basic role of a leader is to move people from "here" (wherever "here" is) to "there" (wherever "there" is). The first stages of movement away from "here" are often exciting and so is the end when people are getting close to "there," which is the goal. The time when we are most likely to give up is in the space between. Great leaders refuse to get up in the space between. Another way the theme of "never give up" resurfaced was in the context of evangelism. God never gives up on pursuing people with his outrageous love--and neither should we. Never give up on a friend, family member, or acquaintance. Love them into the kingdom!

This was my third time going to the Leadership Summit and I have yet to leave wanting. If you are a church leader, I encourage you to create some space in your budget to go next year along with your team. I'd be surprised if they didn't have a satellite site near you. If you are part of Crosspoint Community Church, know that you are more than welcome to attend. We try to bring as many people from our church as possible. Create some space in your calendar for early August in 2011.