Important Leadership Insights

Last week, I virtually attended the annual Global Leadership Summit, our fifth time. Each has been insightful and inspiring, and this year’s even more so, and I am eager to pass along some of our take-a-ways, of which there were many.

In the opening session, Craig Groeschel, a renown pastor, author, and exceptional leader shared that:

• Good leadership is needed now probably more than ever with all the uncertainty in the workplace.
• Leaders can learn from everyone. We all can.
• We must lead with humility and openness.
• We must encourage everyone to contribute ideas, and for them to feel safe in doing so, even if their ideas are contrary to ours. We want different viewpoints.
• It is common to think that people don’t like change – or is it that they don’t like the way we approach change, the way we try to change the way things are done?
• Great leaders never cast blame, they take responsibility – we can blame or we can progress, we can’t do both.
• As leaders, we often make promises, and at times we can unmake a promise as circumstances have changed and there are new challenges and opportunities. This can be explained and is understandable.
• We cannot correct what we do not confront.
• Be a lifelong learner. The most effective leaders are. Ask open-ended questions, listen to understand and learn, and be open-minded.
• Focus on the “why”. People will change out of desperation – or because they are inspired, which is certainly the preferred motivation and leads to better results.
• Typically people asked to change in the workplace are critics, bystanders, and advocates. The “why” disarms critics, educates bystanders, and empowers advocates.
• If we find something is not working, adapt. There is an adage “Fail quickly”.
• In these uncertain times, we want to effectively lead our people, continue to learn as we go, and help us be better than before.

I will write again about the summit as there were a great many more important qualities, principles and practices discussed.

With prayerful wishes for everyone to continue our growth…..