Summit Day 1

Hey gang.... wanted to let you know that I don't have a regular blog entry today; yesterday, today, and tomorrow I'm attending the Leadership Summit through Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago-area; simulcast to Eaglebrook Church in Lino Lakes, MN (where we are participating). Anyway, here are a few quick takeaways from yesterday:

1) Bill Hybels: The lead pastor of Willow Creek challenged us to ask the question of whether or not we have a vision to die for. We need to make sure our vision is compelling enough that people will be able to overcome their fears; that the risk (whatever that might be) is worth taking. Jesus, his disciples, and many followers to this day have found the vision of spreading the gospel so compelling and worthwhile that they gave their very lives for it. Each of us may not be asked to spare our lives, but are we willing to take on some risk for the vision of our organizations?

2) Carly Fiorina: This former CEO of Hewlett Packard and subsequently HP-Compaq gave insight into leadership requiring Passion & Dis-Passion; a leader must be absolutely passionate about the vision & purpose of the organization, but dispassionate enough to see things as they really are (to remove themselves from their passion enough to see the current reality and make the tough decisions that need to be made).

3) Floyd Flake: This pastor of a 23,000 member A.M.E. church in New York helped us realize that if we want transformation in our communities, we must first deeply understand the greatest needs of the community and focus on making change in those areas.

4) Marcus Buckingham: This business leadership guru and leader of the "strengths-based revoluation" focused on how we need to deal with our weaknesses (not ignore them), but do what we can to align our lives, careers, etc, with our strengths. I have a number of his books, CDs, and DVDs so this was not new, but it did solidify some of the things I've learned through him before. My wife and I chatted a bit about how we utilize a strengths-based approach in the raising of our kids.

Well, that's it for now; today we will get some Collin Powell, John Ortberg, and others. Later...