The Meeting After the Meeting

The atmosphere in the room is electric…the energy palpable! In a theater-in-the-round, town-hall setting there are 70 leaders on bleachers seated around Bill Hybels interviewing Jack Welch—live and in-person. Every person’s leaning in to the conversation fully engaged, devouring every word, taking notes as fast as they can. It’s obvious to each of us in the room, there’s real chemistry between Jack and Bill as they banter back and forth!

With unbridled enthusiasm Jack declares, “A leader has to be authentic—full of passion about what he or she is trying to accomplish…the job of the leader is to always raise the intellectual power in the room because it always makes you smarter. Problem is: too many times we hire dopes!”

Laughter erupts. Welch again: “Valuable meeting time is often wasted with too many power point slides and people droning on…people don’t say what they think and little is getting accomplished. At GE we fought desperately to get people to tell us what they really think!”

The interview continues, “My biggest failure? First, Bill, let me say: I’ve made a million mistakes…but looking back, I’d say I never moved fast enough. Regarding strategic decisions, I can’t remember ever thinking ‘I wish I had waited longer.’ Most leaders are victims of moving too slow. We need to help people in our organizations have the self-confidence in their gut to do things…when they think they have the answer…”

As you would expect, Bill and Jack spent considerable time talking about managing staff and the critical importance of “differentiation,” a Welch concept that can stir up a level of controversy. Without any hesitation Welch boldly stated,

“In organizations hallway whisperers are deadly…leaders must stop the meeting after the meeting!”

After hearing this statement, I couldn’t help but imagine the difference it would make in our churches if all of the “meetings after the meeting” suddenly ceased.

Think about it: how do you suppose such a happening would impact your particular culture?

While you’re sorting that out, a closing thought: In my opinion this session alone is worth the price of The Global Leadership Summit 2010…believe me, you’ll want to lean in to this one!

By: Steve Bell
EVP Events, Membership, Church Relations

Willow Creek Association

Photo by Randy Coleman, courtesy of Prolifik Films

God Is Stirring Me Up to Lead

“God is looking for women and men who are full on for Him… people who have abandoned their own program and are just looking for how they can use their unique talents and abilities to further God’s activities and programs in this world. There are the people that God will tap on the shoulder and say, “Come with me and we’re going to do something great in your lifetime. Come, we’re going to do this together.” - Bill Hybels, The Global Leadership Summit 2009

We asked our facebook fans and twitter followers where God was tapping them on the shoulder and ‘stirring’ them up to lead. Everyone who submitted was entered to win a free iPad (and two winners were chosen through a random drawing: Lisa http://twitpic.com/1p7hx5 and Joel http://twitpic.com/1p7i10). Our team loves the pictures that were submitted! Thanks to all who posted.

Leadership Lessons From the Ski Fields

Recently I was on a family vacation in Colorado, and what was meant to be a fun week of skiing ended up with me falling and snapping my ACL and tearing my MCL and meniscus. I successfully managed to completely blow out my knee.

Over the past few months, which have included speaking with a leg brace, having surgery, and undergoing extensive rehabilitation, I have certainly learned many leadership lessons and thought I would take this opportunity to pass some of these on to you.

Leaders are Prepared to Take Risks
Effective leadership is all about having the courage to take risks and step into the unknown. Everyone keeps asking if I will ever ski again, as if somehow one fall should put an end to all future attempts. I remember taking the hands of my 8-year-old and 4-year-old daughters on the day we were leaving the resort. I looked out the window at the mountain that was “responsible” for my pain and fall, and I said aloud “we will be back next year and I will ski down that mountain successfully”. I wanted my daughters to know that a fall or disappointment does not mean it is over, We need to get back up and try again.

Life is too short to avoid risk. Not only that, but the purpose of life is not to arrive at death safely. Life is to be lived, and being alive means taking risks.

Leaders Understand that “Stuff” Happens
There was nothing I could do to have avoided my fall (which was rather spectacular as I somersaulted through the air). I simply caught an edge, and that was that. As we navigate through our challenges as leaders, there are times where things just happen. They are unwanted, unexpected, unplanned and uncalled for, but it is what we do in these moments that determines who we really are as a leader.

It is not what happens to us, but what we choose to do with what happens that matters. How often do things simply occur that are not a part of our strategic plans, goals or objectives? Our ability to adapt and respond rather than react is crucial.

Leaders Listen to the Right Voices
As I sat in the emergency room, I was bombarded with advice about what I should do. People from the waiting room (that I did not even know), came and told me their knee injury horror stories. I decided then and there that I would listen to trusted advisers. People who actually knew what to do, were faith and hope filled, and had a track record of success. As leaders we ought to seek advice and input, but we should choose wisely who we ask. We need to avoid the naysayers as people will always tell you why something can't be done. Listen to those who believe it can.

Leaders Build Great Teams
The accident could not have come at a more inconvenient time for me. I had a packed schedule and it involved speaking in multiple locations in multiple cities on multiple continents over the next few months, and every engagement was important. With the help of a great team of specialists, I had the surgery and in 16 days (after an ACL reconstruction with a hamstring graft), I was on a flight from Sydney, Australia to Dallas, Texas. (Incidentally my PT had my knee bending at 145 degrees and this was only possible because I had an unbelievable team around me.) I had people helping with our family needs so I could focus on rehab. At the office everyone stepped up and assumed extra responsibilities and became available around the clock. The surgeon and PT partnered to ensure an accelerated rehab plan. And I made the decision to embrace the short term pain in order to achieve the long term gains. It was a team effort.

Leaders Defy the Odds
I must admit not many people really believed I could achieve the goal of a rapid recovery. Even my surgeon said “if any one can do it Christine, you can but I don’t like your odds.” I have discovered that almost anything a leader achieves that is significant must at some point defy the odds. I am so glad that what is impossible with man is possible with God. I had faith to believe that if I did my part, God would do what I could not do. I have discovered that when I cannot, HE can. It was only in my weakness that He was made strong.

Leaders are Determined
There is no doubt about it, very little in life is achieved without determination and backbone. During the intense initial two weeks of rehab I definitely had many moments where I wanted to quit. I would wake up (when I could sleep), and dread the thought that I was going to visit the PT. I wanted to quit and admit defeat many times, but something would not let me. I was determined to persevere and press through until I got the breakthrough. I had to endure the daily tedious routine of rehab. Many days I felt that I was making no progress, but as I kept on keeping on, I would suddenly be able to bend my knee an extra 10 degrees. (let me tell you every degree I gained involved much sweat, tears and prayer). The key to any success and breakthrough is to never give up.

Leaders Focus on the Good Things
When I was released, and went back to the hotel, many of the staff began to express their sorrow for me and articulate how sad it was that my holiday had been ruined. I found myself instantly responding that I was fine. I am still alive, I have access to great care, and am in a beautiful location. My family is still skiing. There are people who were injured in the tragic earthquake in Haiti that had no access to medication and were having limbs amputated without anesthetic. Comparatively, I had nothing to complain about. I think one of the primary goals of a leader is to help elevate peoples vision to see the hope in every situation. Without hope you cannot move forward. Zechariah 9:12 “return to the stronghold you prisoners of hope.” Leaders must remain prisoners of Hope even in the most challenging of situations.

by: Christine Caine (@Chrstine Caine)

2010 Speaker at The Global Leadership Summit; Author; Director of Equip & Empower Ministries; Founder of The A21 Campaign

Unity in Tanzania

Our team talked this morning about unity in the Body of Christ. Even if The Global Leadership Summit does not take place this year in Tanzania, the note below is a reminder that leaders are already beginning to work together. My recent visit to South Africa, Namibia, Zambia, the Congo, and Uganda was worth the trip as Bill Hybels and the team shared vision for advancing the cause of leadership development for the sake of the Church.

By: Gary Schwammlein
EVP, WCA International

___________________________________________________

We thank God for his love to us. Voice of Hope Ministries (VHM) hosted a great meeting with bishops from different churches and directors from major business companies and other government leaders. We invited Willow Creek to speak with our church leaders to see how our leaders can benefit from the Global Summit trainings.

The meeting was very successful, normally top leaders “bishops” from different denominations do not seat together. It was amazing to wittiness most of bishops from different denominations sitting together, talking together, and eating together at one table. Every person in the room was very exited about what was discussed in this meeting.

It is our prayer that, this spirit of unity and oneness will continue. It is a new beginning for our bishops to love and pray for one another.

God bless you,
Peter Mitimingi, VHM Tanzania

Q & A with Christine Caine

We asked Christine Caine, Author of Director of Equip & Empower Ministries and Founder of The A21 Campaign (and one of this year’s Summit speakers) to take a few minutes and answer some questions.

Summit Team: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Christine Caine: I wanted to be the prime minister of Australia...or a professional soccer player.

ST: Favorite vacation or favorite vacation spot?
CC: The Greek Islands, of course, Santorini in particular.

ST: Who are some of the leaders you admire? Why?
CC: My Senior Pastor, Brian Houston has a great capacity to raise up the generations, and release and empower leaders.

I also admire Gary Haugen from International Justice Mission because his passionate fight for justice inspires me.

Shanelle Hall, Director of UNICEF's Supply Division, is another leader I admire. Her compassion, strength and effectiveness are astounding to me.

ST: If you were not doing what you currently doing, what profession would you be in?
CC: I would probably be involved in something political, or waiting tables in a Greek tavern on a remote Greek island.

ST: What is your favorite thing about what you are leading?
CC: I love the people that I get to do life with.

ST: What is the most challenging part about leading?
CC: The people that I get to do life with. :)

Greetings from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo

At the time of this writing, Bill Hybels is interacting with about 160 pastors and leaders from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Most of the men are dressed in well tailored suits and the ladies are dressed in beautiful garments. These gatherings in Africa are quite an event!

As we traveled from the airport to the city center, I was confronted with the seemingly insurmountable odds stacked against the people of the DRC. Despite an incredible amount of mineral riches, most people are very poor. Years of war and inaccessibility have prevented the people from being able to explore or mine these resources.

I heard Bill say several times on our way in, “Where do you start in a place like this?” And then he answered himself, “Only the church can bring positive change here, only the church.” I agree with that statement and was so encouraged to hear from many of them that the GLS is having a positive impact. Last year over 1,200 people attended and we hope to have more this year.

After visiting South Africa, Namibia, Zambia and now the Congo, we will end our trip in Kampala, Uganda. Wherever we go, leadership development is identified as one of the top needs. My hat goes off to the pastors and Christians leaders in these countries. The problems they face are daunting and if we are able to come alongside them to help in the critical area of leadership development, we can be grateful to be used by God in this way.

Would you remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in this part of the world and ask God if there is anything more He is asking you to do?

By: Gary Schwammlein
EVP, WCA International

PS- The photo is from The Global Leadership Summit 2009 in Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

One Life to Live

You have one life to live full on for God, one life to develop your leadership to the fullest potential, one life to do something that will last for eternity.



Bill only has today to fight for God and His plan, so he’s choosing to fight hard. These are intensely personal decisions that everyone must make. What about you? What are you going to live for? What will you lay it down for? What kind of scorecard are you keeping? What race are you running?

By: Jim Mellado (@jimmellado)
President, WCA

Q & A with Adam Hamilton

We asked Adam Hamilton, Founder and Senior Pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (and one of this year’s Summit speakers) to take a few minutes and answer some questions.

Summit Team: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Adam Hamilton: A football player or a rock musician!

ST: Favorite vacation or favorite vacation spot?

AH: I love the mountains, the Pacific Ocean, and anywhere when I have time off with my family.

ST: Who are some of the leaders you admire? Why?

AH: Martin Luther King, Jr. - He inspired a nation of young adults to see the world differently, spoke the truth as a pastor and Christ-follower and he gave his life for his vision.

Harry Emerson Fosdick - A pastor in New York in the first half of the twentieth century who preached at the crossroads of Harlem, Columbia University, and upper Manhattan, attempting to reach thinking people with the gospel of Christ, calling his congregation to a deep faith and social justice.

Bill Hybels! His passion for renewing and strengthening local churches, his vision, and his perseverance in never giving up.

ST: If you were not doing what you currently doing, what profession/ hobby would you be in?

AH: I'd be engaged in politics, attempting to work for justice at some level. Or I'd be working in the seminary to train up leaders to revitalize the United Methodist Church.

ST: What is your favorite thing about what you are leading?
AH: I love seeing lives changed, communities transformed and churches revitalized through the work of the church I serve. I find preaching challenging every week, but rewarding when I sense that God has used me in some way to speak to his people.

ST: What is the most challenging part about leading?
AH: The least pleasant part of leading is the criticism and conflict that inevitably comes when attempting to lead a large group of diverse people to do anything worth doing; or the conflict raised by leading people to embrace the changes necessary to faithfully pursue our mission in a changing world. While it is the least pleasant, once completed, it is often the most rewarding part of leadership.

Kick for Hope

Rod Kaya, Executive Pastor at Journey Community Church (a Summit host site) highlighted a story on his blog from Kristen Chandler, a woman who had the courage to say ‘yes’ to God’s call. Below is a transcript of her story.

I have attended The Leadership Summit for the past few years and when I registered for it in the summer of ‘08, I was seeking direction. I had just finished serving in a ministry I had been involved with for ten years, and I didn’t know where I was going next. I had my own ideas, but I wanted God’s perspective. He has used the Summit in years past to speak to me, so this was perfect timing and I trusted Him to speak to me again.

It was also an exciting time at home because my son was going to Africa with our high school ministry. My heart really started to break for the people of Africa, as my son prepared for the trip. I even had an idea about how to raise resources to help them, but I quickly shelved it for lack of time. When my son came home from the mission trip with pictures of children, each with their own story, something happened. I was moved from being paralyzed by the millions of children I would never help to being motivated by those I could help. This idea to raise funds came to mind again…but with 3 kids, work, and hopefully a new ministry…there was just no time.

A week later I attended the Summit. I was ready for God to answer my prayers and give me some direction. With each session, God began to lead me down a path that was completely unexpected. It didn’t match up with my idea of “ministry”. It wasn’t an answer to my prayers about getting involved here at Journey Community Church, and it didn’t seem to build on my past ministry experience…in fact it seemed odd.

With each speaker, God broke down my arguments and changed my idea of what ministry was supposed to look like. Through Gary Haugen (founder of International Justice Mission), I saw God’s passion for the world. Whether it’s rescuing people from oppression or providing basic needs like water and food, these are ways God shows up. He said, “When we help people, they can see God show up and believe He is good.”

Then Craig Groeschel, pastor of Lifechurch.tv, said something that would change me. He said, “If you’re not failing, you’ve stopped dreaming. You’ll eventually stop learning and you will stop growing.” Those words unlocked the chains that had bound me to playing it safe my whole life. I had permission to fail and God had given me a dream worth failing for.

For 2 days I had been carrying around the Summit notebook. I saw the words on the cover, Lead Where You Are.

My daughter plays soccer competitively, and like other competitive sports, it can take over your life. The idea about raising resources for Africa through youth soccer first came in March.

Between March and the Summit, despite my attempt to dismiss it, the idea kept coming back. When the director of the orphanage in Africa asked for soccer balls and our club donated…it was there. When I saw pictures of our kids playing soccer with children in the villages and realized this common bond our kids share... it was there. When I read Mission Africa, I started to wonder, “what can I do?”… it was there. Each time the idea surfaced, it had more depth and clarity.

So when I saw Lead Where You Are I knew this crazy idea of hosting youth competitive soccer tournaments to benefit Africa was indeed a cause God was calling me to. He broke down the preconceived ideas I had about how I should serve Him, He gave me the courage to say, “yes” to His Plan, and filled me with unbridled passion to share the vision and rally others to help.

Immediately after the Summit I began making phone calls, sending emails and learning everything I ever wanted to know about starting a non-profit and organizing youth soccer tournaments. I knew if I did not act on the promptings I had received, it would just be another good idea on the shelf.

When Rod asked me to share my Journey, I honestly thought I’d be standing here sharing my attempt at a vision that had failed because, at the time, we only had 3 teams registered. But on July 11-12, 94 teams played in Kick for Hope, which raised over $47,000 to provide clean water, malaria nets, and AIDS education to children in Africa. It has been a long, hard road. And I can honestly say, it’s a journey I would not have traveled if I had not attended The Leadership Summit last year. You never know what God may have in store for you.

Fresh Thinking

I have deep seated conviction that the ministry I’m a part of is compelling and needed and yet I’ve watched its impact constrained because of economic limitations. Hard times produce a reexamining of personal and organizational calling. At the Willow Creek Association, we’ve had to be much more focused around the most distinctive callings that God has for us.

Lots of soul searching, looking in the mirror, and asking tough questions about myself and the organization can create a lot of angst but also solidify and deepen a sense of purpose. Times like this mature callings in ways that nothing else can!

When problems and challenges arise, a quote from Albert Einstein often comes to mind:

No problem can be solved from the same level of thinking that created it. -Albert Einstein

What that means for me today is realizing that on my own, I don’t presently have what it takes to solve my challenges. I have to grow and get better. I have to invite others to step up and bring their best. And, more than ever before, I have to live with greater faith that God’s ultimate provision and purpose will be accomplished…no matter what!

Tough times remind us that there is always a God-factor that bridges the gap to fulfill our callings. It’s us saying ‘we can’t’ to let God do what only ‘He can’. When life seems like walking a tight rope with no net below, it does something inside of you as a leader. God teaches you that there is no “terror” that comes in your life that’s greater than the God that resides in you. What we do for God is not as significant as what He does in us.

At some point, each of us will feel overwhelmed. What are things that you have learned along the way? How have you grown?

By: Jim Mellado (@JimMellado)
President, WCA

Against All Odds

When the odds are stacked against you, you have to believe that God’s Word is true.

When Harvey Carey, Senior Pastor of Citadel of Faith Covenant Church, spoke at the Summit his message to leaders was potent. Harvey said, we tend to just huddle, but God has called us not to be people that huddle but those who play the game.

Harvey called for leaders to look beyond excuses and take action. You can do anything when God gives you a word to move on.

Free Download of Against All Odds, Harvey Carey (MOV, 103.5mb)

Harvey described how Citadel of Faith is doing ministry in an incredibly difficult and even dangerous community. While your context may look very different than Harvey’s, every community or neighborhood has its own darkness and needs it is called to address. What are the needs or causes that exist in your community?

As you’ve seen, every community or neighborhood has needs, but so often the church is ineffective at reaching out and meeting them. Why is that? In his talk, Harvey challenges leaders to consider why they might be failing to have real impact in their communities.

Harvey said, “[Christ-followers] never see the full extent of the power of God because we don’t create a context for the Scriptures to work.” How much does this statement apply to your particular church, ministry or organization?

by: The Summit Team (@wcagls)

Never. Give. Up.

I’ve been re-reading Jim Collins’ book How the Mighty Fall as we prep for the Summit.

There’s a ton of takeaways. Paraphrasing some of his words, here’s one, “Be willing to kill failed ideas, even shutter operations you’ve been in for a long time, but never give up on the idea of building a great ministry.” The world needs people with the kind of perseverance that on the important things in life we will- Never. Give. Up.

“This is the lesson: never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, larger or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” - Winston Churchill

A leader’s resilience is always tested when tough challenges and pressure come their way. And if a leader is willing to stare down the challenge and with God’s help meet it head on, there are lessons to be learned, character galvanized, capacity expanded and callings deepened in ways “good times” never touch. Those crucible seasons with Jesus at our side awaken our “get it” factor to see into the spiritual realm in life transforming ways. It puts our problems in context… a much bigger context.

I’m not saying you should never walk away from a challenge. There are, as Henry Cloud puts it, times when “necessary endings” are needed. Knowing when to walk and when to stay is the ball game. For me, it always comes down to calling, but at the deepest level—a calling that has way more to do with the unseen inside stuff of our lives than then outward visible reality of our circumstances.

So how’s your call? What’s in your “never give up” bucket? How’s your resolve to fight for it? And, do you describe it more with outward circumstances or inward reality?

By: Jim Mellado (@jimmellado)
President, WCA

Failure Happens

Failure happens. We don’t like it to happen, but it does.

According to Jim Collins, “We are not imprisoned by our circumstances, our history or even our staggering defeats along the way. As long as we never get entirely knocked out of the game, hope always remains”. In his book, How The Mighty Fall, Jim writes about common mistakes of organizations in a state of decline and what leaders can do to reverse negative patterns.

On the plus side, we can choose not to let our personal (or organizational) failures defeat us.

Is ultimate decline a choice? Does the choice rest only on the top leaders shoulders? What are tactics that you have used that have avoided, detected, and reversed decline?

Thoughts welcome.

By: Hanna (@hannaksays)
Marketing, WCA