Our church hosted a telecast of the Global Leadership Summit (GLS) on Thursday, August 8th and Friday, August 9th. This is the first time our church was a host location. There were only 40 in attendance at our church but there were 400,000 in 135 countries and 81 prisons throughout the world.
Craig Groeschel was the first presenter on Thursday and the last presenter on Friday. He is the founder and senior pastor of Life Church. Leaders have influence and we all influence others, so in ways we all are leaders. This helped me to know why I was attending.
Bozoma Saint John was the next speaker. she is the global leader in entertainment, sports and fashion. Recently she served as Chief Brand Officer for Uber. One of her points was that leaders can't change the cultural problems alone. It is a group responsibility. She viewed diversity as being invited to a dance but inclusion as not only being invited to the dance but also being asked to dance.
Ben Sherwood is the former Co-Chairman of Disney Media network and President Disney ABC television. Business is about people not the bottom line. He talked about being a leader in crisis. In an emergency situation 10-80-10 rule. 10% in a emergency emerge as leaders. 80% do nothing, 10% have counter productive behavior. How to move from 80% to top 10% in a plane crash. Have a plan for escape. Plan A count the rows to the nearest exit and plan B count to the next exit. Wear shoes not sandals or flip flops, Relax. You need to maintain point of reference, wait for the sudden violent motion to stop, and practice realistic optimism, faith in God, family, and friends. These points work for crisis in leadership.
Liz Bohannon had a very enjoyable presentation. She is the Co-founder and Co-CEO Seeko Designs. When you succeed at something and it is called beginner's luck you are insecure and afraid of failure. She has written a book call Beginner's Pluck which allows leaders to be spirited and courageous. If you view learning as steps from incompetence to competence you lose as leaders. Instead of steps it is circular and you go out of mastery and into incompetence over and over to grow.
Rascal Flatts entertained us with some songs. Gary LeVox shared how they have been so successful for the past 20 years. He has recorded songs by others, knowing that their song is better then one he has written. He also is never away from home more then 10 days in a row.
Jason Dorsey is #1 rated Gen Z and Millennial speaker and researcher. I think I gained a lot of understanding about the different generations from this presentation.
Boomers were born from 1946 to 1964 have a work ethic, they work in work weeks, you go to work and you are seen. no short cuts to success.
Millennials were born from 1981 to 1995. People born after that don't remember 911. Millennials are the largest generation in the work force. They have delayed adulthood. There is a split in the Millennials of the Mega-llennials. They do what told to do, show up and do it, doing well and successful. The other half are the Me-llennials which feel entitled and not making progress. The Mega and the Me do not relate to each other. We say this generation is tech savvy but they are really tech dependent.
Generation X born from 1965 to 1980. They are taking care of parents and babies. naturally skeptical and are the glue in an organization, They don't like Millennials or Boomers.
Generation Z parents were generation X. They are very practical about money and are savers. As leaders you should do three things when working with generation X or Z. 1) provide specific examples of the behavior you expect, video or picture. 2) they are outcome driven so show the end result first then talk about the steps to achieve it. 3) provide quick feedback, talk to them or text no voicemail.
Every generation brings something important and can provide leaders.
Danielle Strickland is a pastor, author and justice advocate.She shared that disruption is not a threat, it is an invitation. There is no change in the future without disturbing the present.
DeVon Franklin is a producer, author and speaker. He produced
Breaking Through and
Heaven is for Real. He called for leaders to use their differences. Differences are important and powerful. What makes you different makes you unique. Resist exchanging what makes you different for what makes you common ( just wanting to fit in). Use your voice and stop being quiet.
Patrick Lencioni is a best selling author. He stressed you have to have the right motives for being a leader. Reward centered leadership will fail. Don't get complacent.
Chris Voss is a former FBI Hostage negotiator. Things I learned are connection is important, hear the other side out. Give them a chance to talk, be silent. Be likeable, smile. Don't ask why ask what. Ask open ended question. How?
Bear Grylls is an adventurer,writer and TV host. He talked about four things that helped shape him as a leader. Failure, fear (face them),fire, and faith.
There were a few other presenters but I never took their pictures.
Jia Jiang is a best selling author, blogger and entrepreneur. His talk was so interesting I forgot to take his picture, sorry. He talked on rejection and how it can be a good thing and change your life. He did an experiment of 100 days of rejections - they were great (very ridiculous, like can I fly your plane) and the thing that amazed him was the more he asked the more positive responses he received. Rejection is a numbers game, enough no eventual there is a yes. A rejection is only the opinion of the person making the rejection not about the person being rejected. You can grow from rejection.
The time went quickly each day and each speaker had something special to share. I hope more people will come next year if our church is a host.
