Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Leadership bytes

This past week a group of leaders from our church attended the Leadership Summit (Willow Creek Community Church) at a satellite venue in VA Beach. As a leader I'm always looking for solid and challenging teaching on how to be better at it. This conference did not let me down.

Among those speaking were leaders from the corporate, church and other non-profit sectors. Here are a few of the "bytes" I jotted down. Some were the speakers' own thought; some were quoted by the speakers; some are my thoughts from listening to them.
  • Write down your own leadership axioms.
  • Create a clash of ideas.
  • Get the right people around the table.
  • Leadership that matters to God comes forward when the calling seems hopeless, scary or hard.
  • Jesus didn't come to make us safe - He came to make us brave.
  • Follow your compass not your clock.
  • If you're looking to lead a life of impact then do something to influence children.
  • For a while the leader may have to raise the level of personal investment to sustain the vision.
  • Leaders cultivate the soil so that people can grow.
  • Soil gets messy. You'll get your hands dirty.
  • Fruit happens by staying connected to the Vine.
  • God brings revelation. Revelation brings revolution.
  • In God's eyes being qualified isn't as important as being crucified.
  • If you have "it" doesn't mean you're going to keep "it" (whatever "it" is!)
  • A leader/shepherd's job is not to pander to the flock but to lead them.
  • Just show up in the morning; get your orders for the day and execute in obedience.
  • If as a leader I'm not in good shape (physical, emotional, spiritual) I'm hurting the entire organization.
  • If we're going to be good at what we do we must be strategic at what we do.
  • Every leader knows a time when the dream almost died.
  • Callings are holy things; precious commodities. Carry out your calling even if you don't feel the presence of God.

Lots to chew on. I look forward to doing some debriefing with our leaders soon.

5 comments:

Bonnie said...

"If you're looking to lead a life of impact, do something to influence the children"...what a simple, yet profound reminder of the stakes we have in the children/youth within our realm of influence. I am so grateful for the people that have willingly stepped up to play an influential part of my kids lives, and hope I can do the same for others

Cherrie said...

Hi...
I don't think I have ever commented, but have been reading for awhile. I found you from Nate's awesome blog.

I love your posts. Very thought inspiring. I am currently seeking something that I am not finding in my home church and trying to decide what is best for my family right now. I think if I lived in the Outer Banks, I would be visiting your church!! However, since I am in PA, I will continue my search. Thanks for the uplifting blog. You are touching many more people than you think!!

Cherrie

Rick Lawrenson said...

Thanks Cherrie.

Terri said...

Rick,

My favorite byte is "follow your compass not the clock." It reminds me of one of my favorite passages of scripture as quoted from The Message,
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace" (Matt. 11:28-29).

The "unforced rhythms of grace" are not found by living by the clock. I struggle with slowing down, recognizing God's work in the moment, and making space to hear the whisper of God.

Thanks for sharing!

Terri

Randy said...

Thanks for the list, Rick!

My favorites ...

"In God's eyes being qualified isn't as important as being crucified."

"If as a leader I'm not in good shape (physical, emotional, spiritual) I'm hurting the entire organization."

Good stuff.