Global leaders speak at Norwich conference
OCT 07
 From the very first visionary talk by Bill Hybels to the last inspirational challenge the Global Leadership Summit in Norwich envisioned, inspired, challenged and encouraged the 260 delegates at the event. John Breeze reports.
Using a variety of presentational forms, talks, drama, interviews and lectures as well as small group interactions the Summit, held at the King’s Centre on September 28 and 29, moved through issues affecting leadership in all sorts of circumstances. Humour, pathos, pictures and music helped the process.
Although aimed primarily at those involved in church leadership positions, the topics and principles covered applied to all sorts of organisations and structures from the largest to the smallest. Organised by the Willow Creek Church in Chicago the event had not only a national dimension, with 14 centres in the British Isles, there was also an international atmosphere with centres in 78 cities and 30 countries across the world.
With worship led by Oak Grove Chapel’s band and compering shared between Toby Skipper of King’s and Ian Savory of Oak Grove, both churches backed the project.
Bill Hybels of Willow Creek launched the event with ‘A Vision to Die For!’. He explained that the most important thing about any organisation is the idea of vision. ‘What are we doing this for?’ That vision must be owned by all in the organisation and that vision must also be processed, developed, discussed and implemented then reviewed and refined.
Carley Fiorina was once called ‘The most powerful woman in the US’. As head of Hewlett Packard, she wielded tremendous influence. Her book ‘Tough Choices’ is her story of how, after six years, she was fired. In an interview, she explained the lessons she had learned, spoke of the importance of teamwork, overcoming fear, being a woman in a male-dominated environment and the meaning of fame. She concluded with saying ‘I wouldn’t change anything! Everything is a gift!’
‘Go Put Your Strengths to Work’ by Marcus Buckingham’s is a talk that should be given to every educational organisation or structure in the country! It was stimulating, encouraging, envisioning and downright good sense. Marcus dispelled some of the myths in modern society and looking at stories of success among failing individuals. He spoke of the need to identify strengths in individuals and concentrate on them, using and developing them, recognising that each person is a unique individual and not to be squeezed into a ‘one-for-all’ type of mould.
In an interview, Richard Curtis, spoke of his passion for ‘Living for the Greater Good’. Richard is an award-winning screenwriter, producer and director. ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’ and ‘The Girl in the Café’ are just two of his productions. He is also co-founder of ‘Make Poverty History’, ‘Live8’ and ‘Comic Relief’. Using clips from films, as well as pictures from around the world, Richard explained that the Church’s work to end poverty could be its greatest victory. Richard’s pictures were moving and extremely touching and he responded by saying ‘Those who pray at night to end poverty should get up the next day and do something about it!’
John Ortberg is a well-known writer and speaker. His talk on ‘A Leader’s Greatest Fear’ outlined the principle of underlying motives and agendas in driving actions. He called this ‘Shadow Mission’ saying that ‘it is not something that happens to us but in us’. Using the story of Esther, he explained how she used her wisdom and influence to frustrate the mission of Haman. He also spoke of the temptation of Jesus to adopt a ‘shadow mission’. That is, to achieve his ends without suffering, pain or cost – the temptation in the wilderness and at Gethsemane.
Michael Porter’s ‘Strategy and Leadership’ or ‘Are we doing well at doing good?’ was a challenge for leaders to assess and analyse their plans and purposes and, where they are not working or achieving their objective, to change things so that they do. That will begin with an assessment of what real needs there are that a particular church might meet.
Colin Powell was probably the most well-known speaker at this conference. In an interview in which he traced his career from a junior lieutenant during the Vietnam War to US Secretary of State, he explained his 15 principles of leadership including such topics as ‘Promoting a Clash of Ideas’, ‘People get things done’ ‘Be prepared to disappoint people’, ‘Have fun’ and ‘Be prepared to be lonely’. He concluded his interview by explaining how he is now using these leadership skills in running a programme with his church in New York to help disadvantaged immigrant black youths.
Bill Hybels concluded the conference with a talk entitled ‘Whatever you do, inspire me!’ Outlining the whole value of the principle of motivation, Bill went on to explain who’s responsibility it was to keep motivated and how that can be achieved. Things like being crystal clear about calling, about inspiring the team, keeping spiritually and physically fit and identifying and removing de-motivating factors were just some of the topics covered.
At the end of a full and challenging two days, the delegates were all fired up to go back to their organisations and implement those things they had learned and to have regular reviews and appraisals on their progress.
Retiring quotes were ‘Very interesting and inspirational – particularly to hear such a variety of people.’ ‘Many of the sessions very challenging although some of the secular ones not so inspiring’. ‘Very interesting to have so many people from different backgrounds – business and that – to make us think radically about how we are doing church and managing, leading and that. And maybe we’ve got to think a bit more and step back and analyse a bit more on what we’re doing.’ ‘Although there are about 260 delegates here, some from Norwich, Yarmouth, King’s Lynn, Bury St Edmunds and as far away as Hull, when you think about it, the turnout from all involved in positions in leadership in churches is East Anglia that figure is pretty small!’
Next year’s conference is on October 3 and 4.
Pictured above are Norwich delegates at the conference.
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