The Global Leadership Summit 2010 is underway. This is my second Leadership Summit, and it is off to a solid start. What I really find rewarding about the two-day event is that it offers insights, inspiration, and lessons for your all parts of my life:  personal, business, and volunteer.

My key reflections on the day are as follows:

Bill Hybels. The thought that we need to get better by 10% each year is spot on. This is the goal of the Leadership Summit in the training delivered and, I believe, something each of us need to take on in our learning, growth, and actions.

Bill Hybels combines a unique approach of being very straightforward yet inspirational in his insights on leadership. The most important lesson learned is that leading with a Christ-centered approach is okay, and we need to listen to God’s promptings in our life.

Jim Collins. I have read some of his books yet have never heard him speak. He is fantastic! There were many challenging thoughts. Some include:

  • Good is the enemy of being great.
  • Organizations may look healthy on the outside, but may be quickly decaying in the inside. I believe the same may be true for individuals.
  • Key leadership trait is humility. It is the difference between being a 4 and 5 level leader.
  • Remember the Stockdale Paradox – Never confuse faith and facts. In other words, never give up. Admiral Stockdale was a POW for many, many years.
  • The signature of mediocrity is not the lack of the ability to change, but the lack of being consistent.
  • Leaders need to preserve the core values of an organization while stimulating progress. Both need to happen to achieve success.

Tony Dungy. One of my favorite leaders is Coach Tony Dungy. His down-to-earth style is refreshing, and he seems to be a truly authentic person. A few key thoughts from Coach Dungy include:

  • The job of a coach or leader is to help those you lead.
  • Stubbornness is a virtue… if you are right.
  • Time – Be efficient. Don’t waste it. Spend time with your family.
  • You don’t have to be an icon to be a mentor. Every day people are mentors along your life’s path.
  • Christ is the best mentor.

Adam Hamilton. Rev. Adam discussed a difficult topic – when leaders fall. Sin has its consequences. When sin happens, how it is addressed will say much about the leaders and the organization.

Resist temptation; don’t let the devil ride, because he is going to want to drive! Remember the 5 Rs:

  1. Remember who you are – a child of God.
  2. Recognize the consequences of your actions.
  3. Rededicate yourself to God – stop, drop, and pray.
  4. Reveal your struggle to a trusted friend.
  5. Remove yourself from the situation.

Andy Stanley. Three words:  Manage the tension. Determine if the issue is a problem to be solved or is it something which recurs frequently. If it recurs frequently, it probably is a tension. Manage it, and leverage it for progress.

Andy Stanley was probably the most thought-provoking speaker of the day. Understanding that you cannot solve every problem is accurate. The reality is:  it probably is not a problem; it really is a tension. Tension should be managed and leveraged to take the organization to the next level of progress. It is not about balance but understanding the rhythm of the organization.

I know, this is too much information for a blog post. Maybe this one is more for me, for my memory, as I reflect on what I heard and figure out how to use the lessons in my life purpose. If you want the quick points, go here.

There is much to absorb and think about, especially in how these lessons and insights apply to my life and work. My hope is to learn and be at least 10% better in the year ahead.