An Inside Peek at the Global Leadership Summit

Aug 12, 2013

Two days at the Global Leadership Summit. Twenty-two pages of handwritten notes. And a twitter feed that nearly caught fire.

That’s a small glimpse of my take-away from my experience this past Thursday and Friday, August 8 and 9.

I’ve been sitting here, trying to find words to recreate the conference for you, the feelings of purpose and inspiration and direction that infused those of us who attended #WCAGLS for those two days. But nothing I come up with does it justice.

I’ve attended at least three or four leadership summits. But I wish each one of you could’ve been at this one. Then maybe you’d see in yourself what I see, your talents and influence and limitless potential. The way you—YOU—could change your neighborhood, your workplace, your church or the blog world unlike anyone else. Then maybe you’d stop feeling like you’re failing and lost and instead see yourself as both found and called.

Because you are.

I can’t give you a two-day conference in a blog post. But I can give you a handful of words that made it into the lined pages of my journal. Wherever you are, whoever you lead, have COURAGE. Know you’re NOT ALONE. And lead well.

Building organizational culture is every bit as important as building the organization. —Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor, Willow Creek Community Church, Chicago, IL

Staff culture will only be as healthy as the CEO or Senior Pastor wants it to be. To delegate that responsibility is to doom it. —Bill Hybels [saw a lot of tweets flying on this one]

People join organizations. They leave managers. —Bill Hybels

There’s no such thing as an unimportant person. —General Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State

Leadership is getting more out of people than the science of management says you can. —General Colin Powell

There are three chief things that cause job misery: Anonymity, Irrelevance, Immeasurability. —Patrick Lencioni, Founder and President, The Table Group

The logic of a Diminisher = No one can do what I do. The logic of a Multiplier = People are smart and will figure it out. —Liz Wiseman, President, The Wiseman Group

How do you become more of a multiplier? Start by asking more questions. —Liz Wiseman

An insecure leader must have a title & position. A secure leader will just pick up a towel. And wash feet. —Chris Brown, Co-Senior Pastor & Teaching Pastor, North Coast Church

Every Thursday morning I quit something. If you create some margin, Jesus will put some amazing things in that space.” —Bob Goff, Attorney, Founder and CEO, Restore International

Choose your companions before you choose your road. —Mark Burnett, Executive Producer, The Voice, Survivor, The Bible

Inspiration and vision are essential. But unless that goes into changed behavior, then we fail. —Vijay Govindarajan, Professor, Dartmouth

What kills love, kills organizations: shame, betrayal, blame, disrespect, and withholding. —Brene Brown, Researcher, University of Houston Graduate School of Social Work

You can choose courage, or you can choose comfort. But you cannot choose both. —Brene Brown

In the absence of love and belonging, there is always suffering. —Brene Brown

Love is a cultivated communion between two people only when there is self-love in both. —Brene Brown

Never do ministry alone. Any time you’re alone, you waste an opportunity to mentor someone else. —Oscar Muriu, Senior Pastor, Nairobi Chapel, Kenya

Your life is a movie, not a single scene. Don’t base the value and beauty of your life on one bad scene. —Dr. Henry Cloud, best-selling author, Boundaries

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9

Where are you leading right now, and which of these quotes encourages you most?

5 Comments

  1. Kelli Wommack

    Michelle, thanks for sharing. This is a terrific list of quotes from some very admirable leaders.
    I am currently taking on a new role on staff at my church in the area of leadership development. So, my favorite quote from your list is from Pastor Muriu:
    “Never do ministry alone. Anytime you’re alone, you waste an opportunity to mentor someone else.”

    So true! Great leaders reproduce themselves and develop other leaders.

    Reply
    • Michele

      Hi, Kelli. I think that might be in my top two or three, too. I’ve never seen someone as passionate about mentoring others as Pastor Muriu. Congrats on the new leadership dev role. You’re going to rock it!

      Reply
  2. Tracee Persiko

    “Your life is a movie, not a single scene. Don’t base the value and beauty of your life on one bad scene.” —Dr. Henry Cloud

    What a redemptive quote. Sounds like this conference was awesome. Hope to make it to this conference one day! So glad it was good and encouraging for your heart. No small thing!

    Wishing I was leading more. For now, small beginnings.

    Reply
    • Michele

      It’s all about how you and I choose to see. Such a challenge some days, but worth the effort. You ARE leading. Even if you don’t realize it.

      Reply
  3. MariLee

    I LOVE the global leadership summit! Have been many times and had the privilege to be there LIVE at Willow creek during one of their conferences. It always blows me away how much I take home from those experiences. Wish I could’ve been to this one. I may have to purchase the DVD’s!

    I love the quotes you posted. Particularly Dr. Cloud’s comment. That is one I needed to hear concerning the previous year of my life!

    Glad for new beginnings and a God who restores!

    Love you, Michele!

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Monday Start: Resources for the Week - A Place for the God-Hungry - [...] Cushatt has some very good notes from the most recent [...]
  2. To Need or Not to Need | Michele Cushatt - […] for lunch, I walked out of the leadership conference with an eye for my car. I needed to drive home, check…

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