We had another incredible day at the Leadership Summit.  Each session completely wrecked me and challenged my beliefs and thinking.  There was something about every speaker that left me wanting more.

Inspiring might even be an understatement.

There are times when we hear something new and challenging and we walk out feeling good and inspired and life goes on pretty much the same.

Then there are others times when you hear something new and challenging and it seems to intersect our life in a way that alters its course.  This Summit may have just done that for me.

Once again, here is a recap.  It was tough trying to narrow down one thing per speaker, but I tried the best I could.  There were SO many great words of wisdom.  I feel honored to sit under these leaders and simply listen and learn from them.

Bill Hybels
Would we be willing to lead initiatives w/ no promises of earthly success?

Mama Maggie Gobran (founder of Stephen’s Children in Cairo, Egypt)
When one has nothing, God becomes everything.

Michelle Rhee
(Asked the question) How do you distinguish between revolutionary change or incremental change?
(Her response) “I’m not an incremental girl”.  When it’s your child, you can’t change fast enough.

Henry Cloud
What does a person do when the truth comes to them?
- Do they adjust to the truth or try to change it.
- The wise man will adjust, the fool change it, the evil will try to destroy it.

John Dickson
When great leaders are approachable, we aspire to be like them. When leaders appear aloof, we respect them, but they don’t inspire us.

Patrick Lencioni
We have to exercise our willingness to be rejected.

Erwin McManus
It’s not that hard to bring people to Christ when they see themselves in the story.

This year I have the amazing opportunity to attend the Willowcreek Leadership Summit with the rest of the South Bay staff & leaders.  We are attending through one of the satellite sites at a church here locally in San Jose.  Even though it is local, it felt like I had to move heaven and earth to line up childcare for my kids, but thankfully with the help of 4 friends of South Bay, it’s all working out just fine and I am able to attend.  Praise God!

I’ve mentioned before here on the blog, but I must say again.  I love leadership environments!  LOVE leadership environments.  In a way, you could call it my comfort zone.

Today was no exception.  There was something to take away from every speaker.

Here are some of the highlights from today. Some are questions they posed or a quote they said.

Bill Hybels
What do I need to do to make the next 5 yrs. to be the best 5?

Len Schlesinger
Questions for Entrepreneurs
What do you want to do?  Or what do you care about?
- Take a step, Make a move

Cory A. Booker (Mayor of Newark, NJ)
At every second of every moment we have a choice, to accept circumstances or change them.

Brenda Salter McNeil
Are we pulling back in fear or pushing forward in faith?

Seth Godin (I could have quoted about 50 things, find one was quite difficult.)
Are we just surviving another day?
Or are we leading, living w/ passion, doing something, making art.

Steven Furtick
I can’t expect God’s blessing on my work w/out doing it his way.

The theme throughout each one talked about action.  Do Something.  It seems like a timely message for leaders considering the state of our nation, and our world.  I think God is looking for leaders who aren’t paralyzed by fear (of failure especially), but who are bold, courageous, trust Him, and lead the way.

It was a great day and I’m so excited to go back tomorrow!