Manage Differently

Last Thursday's Leadership Summit started off quickly. Bill Hybels set the stage for the Summit and some of the conversations by talking about the new reality of leadership and the world. All of us are leading in a new reality, and one that may be with us for a very long time. Our old reality may be just that, an old reality, and one to which we may never return.

Economies, thoughts, spending, societal expectations, and church are all changing. In spite of that new reality, we must lead.

That morning didn't slow down. Gary Hamel shared a dynamic dialogue on managing in this new reality, and offered encouragement for leaders and churches to adapt.

To say that the morning didn't slow could be an understatement. Hamel's delivery was quick, yet direct. Try as I might, I couldn't get every word down, although I felt as if everything that was said was targeted and thought provoking.

Maybe that's what made the point - our world is changing, and much quicker than institutions are adapting. His opening question was simple, "are you changing as fast as the culture around you?"

While his message centered on the fact that our world is becoming more turbulent faster than our organizations are becoming resilient, he offered us some thoughts on how businesses as well as churches can think about leading from the edge of those changes.

• Outrun Change. Don't take refuge in denial that change is happening. Confront the realities of the world around us and the churches we serve. Face the facts head on and question your practices. He was clear that we should not question our core beliefs and creedal systems, but that how we live out of them must continue to be questioned. Hamel encouraged us to listen to the renegades.
• Generate strategic options. Make change look cooler than standing still.
• Deconstruct what we believe, ask questions and compare yourself with others. Don't be in the business of replicating what is happening down the street, but attempt to brand yourself. If there is a program that doesn't work or hasn't changed, ask why.

Hamel pointed out several businesses and organizations that have done exactly what he was advocating, noting that without change and adaptation, these companies would have been gone decades ago. For me, it was a nice connection to Jim Collins book, How the Mighty Fall.

One of the most powerful statements for me reminded me of how easy it is to be comfortable. I continue to think about it and wonder if I'm not living in this situation. Hamel said, "The longer you are in a trench, the easier it is to mistake the edge of your rut as the horizon." He likened the places that we reside as quite often ruts that are hard to get out of. We need to focus on getting out of those ruts so that we can be on a smoother path to meet the needs of those around us.

Maybe what we need, Hamel suggested, was a good healthy dose of "unorganized religion." We need to deconstruct the patterns and behaviors that are continuing to set us behind the curve of society and commit ourselves to mobilize, connect, and support one another.

Sometimes there is a disconnect between business and leadership models, and the church. In the past, I've sometimes felt as if "faculty" at the Summit would burden themselves to make the leap and try to connect the two. It feels awkward and forced. I didn't feel that way with Hamel who was able to use his business experinece as a way of thinking about leadership in the church.

I am looking forward to diving into Hamel's book, The Future of Management. Hopefully, I will be able to pick up some of the details that were missed by this fast paced and dynamic look at the future of leadership in a changing society.

Thoughts on a "Flabby Mind"

Last week, I was privileged attend a video cast of the Willow Creek Leadership Summit at the Orchard Hill Church in Wexford. I enjoy the Summit’s format because it changes the delivery of the message throughout. Sometimes there are conversations, other times interviews, and other times classic lecture styled delivery.

On Friday, Bill Hybels was interviewing David Gergen. Gergen is a political analyst for CNN and PBS, as well as a noted leader and advisor to four of our past Presidents. He is currently the Professor of Public Service at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and carries with him a lifetime of practical leadership thoughts.

Maybe it was my political science background or it could have been the interview forum, but I really enjoyed this conversation. They talked a lot about practical leadership skills and principles, leadership styles, and even dabbled in communication. They also talked about being a “reflective practitioner” or being the kind of leader who doesn’t simply lead, but also takes time to reflect, learn, and grow.

Being a “reflective practitioner” is why I think I enjoy the Summit so much. It causes me to reflect on myself and my leadership sometimes more than other things can. This year’s Summit came at a time when I needed to do a little self reflecting as well as some continuing education.

As Hybels and Gergen continued their conversation that morning, they began to talk about personal habits. Responding to whether or not leaders need to be up at 5 a.m and in the office before anyone else, Gergen noted that the type of habit or routine was not as important as the self-discipline that goes along with one’s daily routines. He used the example of Churchill taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon. The nap wasn’t a liability, but part of the routine for Churchill.

Gergen made it clear that personal habits and self-discipline are very important in leadership. One’s health was also part of that self-discipline. Being physically fit and healthy allows us to endure the hard tests when they come.

Gergen continued by saying, “Those who let their bodies go flabby will often let their minds go flabby.” Realizing that this is not an absolute statement and a generalization – it resonated with ME.

It resonated with me because as I reflect on my past, the times that I am less healthy, or gaining weight, or struggling physically, I am most often also struggling mentally, spiritually, and intellectually. When I am at my best and sometimes at my worst, there is a direct relationship, a correlation between the mind the body and the spirit of my soul. Three years ago, I was at my greatest weight, and possibly at one of my lowest points intellectually. I was feeding my stomach, and starving my mind.

There have also been times when I am pouring out every fiber of myself in leading. I may be sharp, but the physical side begins to take its toll.

But the other part of reflecting is the realization that I am not always at my sharpest, even if I am healthy physically. I must be aware of my overall health and self-discipline on a regular basis making sure that my habits are all in check. I can’t neglect any one part of it, or I won’t be ready for the hard tests. I have to be whole in Mind, body, and Spirit.

Just because I am reading, doesn’t mean that I can have that entire sleeve of Oreo’s.

“So, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance.”

Willow Creek Day 1

Tracy is attending the Gifted To Lead Forum today at Willow Creek. I took her this morning so I could have the car if I needed it. I am spending the day working on my sermon for this Sunday as part of our Run the Race Series.

Wow! I don't think that I have fully come to terms with the size and magnitude of this place. Willow has always placed a high emphasis of making a kingdom impact in today's world. They are reaching people, and they are doing it in grand fashion. Even with the size, you are immediately welcomed and led in the right direction. I wonder just how many of our churches are doing the same thing?

This will be the second year in a row attending the Leadership Summit. This is the first at Willow. I will say it often - more people in Church leadership need to be attending this type of Leadership Conference (especially from the UMC in WPA).

Chicago Excursion

Tracy and I left this morning for Chicago, IL. We are going to the Leadership Summit at Willow Creek Community Church. We are both excited about our time here. Last year, you may remember that we attended the Summit via Satellite at Orchard Hill. This year, we decided to come to the real deal.

Tomorrow, Tracy will be attending the Gifted To Lead Forum for Women. It is a one day interactive Forum with Nancy Beach and Nancy Ortberg. Tracy is so excited about the possibility of interacting with other women leaders. While she is at the Forum, I will be working on my sermon for this week for our Run the Race Series.

But - I guess the reason for writing tonight is to describe our experience at Gino's East. We asked some friends who have been to Chicago for some ideas on food, and this was their pick! The website says that Chicago is known for its pizza, and Gino's East is the reason why. Our opinion is that they are absolutely correct!!!!

First of all - you walk into this place and you know that you are in for something different. There is graffiti all over the place. They actually give you crayons to write on the walls. So of course, I left my mark.

But the highlight of the night was our deep dish sausage and cheese pizza. I wish flavors could be pasted to this site. No words other than to say it was some of the best pizza that I've had. I love thin crust pizza, but this ranks up there. It was cool.

So we are waiting until tomorrow to venture over to South Barrington. Until later . . .