15 Lessons From The 2012 Global Leadership Summit

By Cheryl Crumb

In the world of self-development, I’m like the proverbial shoemaker who is barefoot. My unoriginal excuse: “I’m too busy.”

I recently gifted myself 2 days to attend a telecast of the 2012 Global Leadership Summit sponsored by the Willow Creek Association originally held in Chicago in August.

I luxuriated in the wisdom of experts like Jim Collins, Patrick Lencioni, Condoleezza Rice, Carly Fiorina, Marc Kielburger, and Bill Hybels. My briefcase is weighted down with new book purchases and I’m still smiling and inspired as I write this.

For those not fortunate enough to attend, here were some of the messages that resonated with me.

1. Take responsibility for your own development. Don’t wait for your company to do it.
2. Leadership at its core is about character.
3. Every adversity brings gifts if you can allow yourself to see them.
4. Don’t resent or judge the next generation. Believe in them. The old and the young need each other. Honour what the old have done and what the young will contribute. Find ways to learn from each other.
5. Delegate authority, not tasks. Give freedom: “you’re bright … you’ll figure it out.”
6. Ensure your greatest legacy is making sure your organization is in good hands when you’re no longer there.
7. Many leaders incorrectly assume their most valuable quality is time. But it’s really energy. Be prepared to put out energy “bursts” against all challenges and opportunities.
8. As a leader in any journey from “here” to “there”, where is the vision most vulnerable? Divide the journey into three phases. It’s the middle phase that’s red flagged. You’re past the adrenaline rush of the starting line, but not yet near enough to the finish line to feel its magnetic draw. The middle is where everyone — including you — most needs your bursts of energy.
9. Leadership requires irrepressible optimism to see the possibilities of a better future. You must continually generate this.
10. We’ve all heard about company values, but it’s not a litany of all known qualities + the Boy Scout motto + the Ten Commandments + The Bill of Rights. Instead select a maximum of three endemic behaviours for which you’re willing to get punished. It’s not something you aspire to, but where a violation would be like selling your soul.
11. You are the most difficult person you’ll ever have to lead.
12. Two requirements for a success organization are its smartness (strategy-finance-marketing-technology) and its health (minimum politics, minimum confusion, high morale, high productivity, low turnover). The former gets 95% of the attention, but it’s only half the equation. A healthy organization becomes the multiple of its smartness. Focus on making your organization healthy. It’s not “beneath” effective leaders.
13. Be prepared … it’s what you do before difficult times, so that you can be present and strong when people need you the most.
14. Winners aren’t luckier than the also-rans, but they didn’t squander their lucky (bad or good) moments. Ask yourself and act on, “what do I need to do now to make the most of this event?”
15. The only mistakes you learn from are the ones you survive. Ensure your survival with discipline, creativity and paranoia.

Here are video highlights


Cheryl Crumb helps you get customers for keeps. She is an ISO 9000 accredited trainer, coach, transition consultant and facilitator who designs training programs to fit specific corporate needs. You’ll find more on her website, the Experion website and LinkedIn.