Takeaways from the Global Leadership Summit

We can all learn from exceptional leaders in businesses and churches.

We attended the annual Global Leadership Summit again this month. Some of what these leaders share is new, some are reminders (important reminders!) and validate leadership principles we already know, yet need reinforced.

To keep this article short, I will simply note takeaways from a few of the presentations.

• To create growth, we must realize there may well be some chaos. Let’s learn to be comfortable with some chaos, if it is well intended, e.g., for improvement and growth
• Empower others to achieve desire growth, empower versus setting rules
• What am I controlling that I need not? Let’s empower others to be leaders
• The cost of inaction is nearly always greater than the cost of mistakes
• Make decisions based on faith, not fear. We do not achieve greatness by playing it safe
• The difference between where we are and where we would like to be is likely the decision(s) we are unwilling to make. What decisions and risks am I unwilling to make?
• A leader cannot stay in her/his comfort zone
• When things are uncertain is the time to discern what is most important, what success could look like
• Think what is the best that can happen, rather than what is the worst that can happen?
• The enemy of success and growth can be our comfort. Let’s think what we wish to accomplish, what true success will look like
• Look at crisis as opportunities. Call on our curiosity. It can help
• If we are humble, we can learn from everyone. This is so very true. Great leaders are lifelong learners. They have humility, and humility is the foundation of success
• Lead with humility and civility. Behind every face is a story
• Empower for action and for decision making
• We must overcome self-doubt by identifying the “why” we should. Don’t listen to the no, listen to the why
• Let no task be too small for us.
• Think family, not staff. It could make a huge important difference
• Our legacy as a leader is created every day, not when we retire or pass away

We could think deeply about each of the above, and that would help us all grow as leaders.

Leadership is not about being great our self, it is about our helping others succeed and being great themselves.