In August of 2017 I had the privilege of attending the Global Leadership Summit held by WCA. It is the largest leadership conference in the world with over 450,000 attendees from around the world, and it is live streamed in over 100 countries. The experience was powerful for me as an unfinished leader, so I thought I would share what I found as the biggest leadership take-aways in hopes that they might encourage you and maybe inspire you to pass them along.
Bill Hybels
Best Quote
“Those we lead are dying for us to challenge them and help them bring out the best in themselves.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
- Do we have a personal betterment plan for our future leadership / growth?
- When Pope Francis took office he washed and kissed the feet of twelve criminals to show his humble leadership. Read more about this extraordinary leadership here.
- Humility is the greatest characteristic of a leader.
- The culture in your organization will be as healthy as the top leader wants it to be.
Sheryl Sandberg
Best Quote
“We are responsible for what we do and for what we decide not to do.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
- The best way to grow is by asking people for real honest feedback. Ask them directly – please give me your honest feedback.
- At the end of the day write down three moments of joy from your day. It will help us look for joy throughout each day.
- If we learn to lean in and lead the opposite sex in the best way possible, it gives us potential to influence the other half of the population.
- Hire people who are overqualified – those you will need in the future, it will help grow your organization much faster.
Marcus Lemonis
Best Quote
“Business and life are about creating connections through vulnerability and transparency.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
- As leaders we are responsible for being good stewards of our people.
- It is our responsibility to mold those who we lead.
- I don’t worry about the money, my three areas of importance are these and in this order: 1) People 2) Process 3) Profit.
- We need to first take a chance on ourselves and then do everything we can to help others.
Fredrik Haren
Best Quote
“We are most like God when we are creating.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
World Wide Stats on Creativity
- 98% of people say creativity is important
- 48% of people say they are creative
- 2% of people say the company they work for is creative
Bryan Stevenson
Everything Bryan said was profound. You can view his TED Talk here.
Best Quote
“As leaders we must be willing to do uncomfortable things.”
His 4 Keys to Leadership
- Get close to the ones we are serving so we can truly understand what they need.
- We have to change the narratives of the things that are allowing injustice.
- Stay hopeful, because as leaders we are responsible for the future. Talk about the things we will do and not the things we have done.
- Be willing to do uncomfortable things. If we can do the uncomfortable, we will allow our brokenness to help show others mercy and grace.
Andy Stanley
Best Quote
“Closed minded leaders – close minds. If we shut our eyes and minds, we will shut the eyes and minds of those following us.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
- What do we do that is uniquely better than our competition? This question will reveal our strengths or our weaknesses if we ask it.
- “We must pay attention to the frontiers of our ignorance.” Andy Stanley quoting Sam Harris
- Never criticize that which we do not understand.
- We naturally resist that which we do not understand or can’t control.
- Listen to outsiders – they are not bound by our assumptions.
- When was the last time we tried something big that was not our idea.
Andy Stanley was my personal favorite from GLS 2017. When you hear his podcast you will understand why Check it out here. This man just gets it!
Laszlo Bock
Best Quote
“If your goal is to make the world better in some way, you can find meaning and keep going – the mission will never be completed.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
- Giving freedom and delegating is the way to grow an organization.
- If we are uncomfortable because we are delegating – we are in a good spot.
- Hiring Rule: Only hire people that are smarter than you.
Juliet Funt
Best Quote
“When talented people do not take time to think, business suffers.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
- Busyness is the false god of business.
- Never rush the cooking of a good idea.
- A reductive mindset says, when life gets full – we have the permission to let some things go.
Marcus Buckingham
Best Quote
“Leading is coaching others one-on-one on a weekly basis. Only lead as many people as we can do this with.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
- Our job as leaders is to build teams like the best teams out there.
- We need to study high performing teams.
- Ask yourself: Do I have the ability to use my strengths everyday at work?
- Ask yourself: Do I clearly know what is expected of me at work?
- People want coaching and attention – not feedback.
Sam Adeyemi
Best Quote
“Call people who they can be, not who they are today.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
- In leadership you don’t attract who you want, you attract who you are.
- Real and sustainable change in one’s life begins in one’s identity.
- Leaders are responsible for changing the way their followers think about themselves.
Angela Duckworth
Best quote
“Cultivate purpose – when someone is cultivating purpose, they are bettering others.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
- Develop your interests before training your weaknesses.
- Change your mindset to a growth mindset.
- Never quit on a bad day.
Gary Haugen
This man is a powerhouse for good. View his TED Talk here.
Best Quote
“Think about the things that will go right with our dreams.”
Other Thought Provoking Stuff
- Fear is the fundamental challenge of our leaders.
- Dreams are thwarted with a pre-occupation of self.
- We must relentlessly inventory our fears.
- Constantly switch from defense to offense.
- Courage in life – just like fear, is contagious.
Written by Terry Weaver, Co-Founder of VEL Institute. To learn more about creating vision and developing your leadership, visit VEL Institute.org
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