leadership summit 07

I've been a Summit attender for several years.
When I 1st started going to the summit I was more sold on the idea of a big church - so my leadership incentive in learning often got tainted with a big church model (i.e. not that the church cannot be large, but that the church's only success was a large #).
I've since then had my convictions changed - through experience, scripture, prayer, and long conversations. I was a little doubtful about going to this year's summit because my journey and vision these days is more shaped by creating healthy environments for mission and spiritual formation than it is for large numbers (I believe health will grow and influence positively).
I went as planned because I love to learn from many sources. And it was that truth I got hit with this year.
Just because Willow Creek is 25,000 and Westside is 50, I could hypocritically say I don't want to hear stuff from a place that will push me towards unrealistic expectations. However, I was reminded again that learning comes from lots of places, and I did learn a lot.
I must say I still am so humbled at how God uses Bill Hybels to impact 1000's of leaders worldwide. Though I do much more sifting through his talks than I did 5-10 years ago (mainly to be more contextual to my surroundings), God continues to use him in a great way to inspire, encourage, and challenge my life and ministry.

Here's a few quick learnings from the summit:
... have fun while doing leadership (take breaks and do fun things to keep you grounded and settled) - from Collin Powel)
... do what you love (Buckingham)
... play to your strengths (Buckingham)
... people need, and want, to be inspired (Hybels)
... I need to keep myself inspired (Hybels)
... make choices our of your principles and convictions (Carly Fiorina)
... don't reinvent the wheel in social work; partnering or fundraising for others might be more effective (Michael Porter)
... probe people's reactions (concerns and questions) to your leadership and your group's vision (Ortberg, heard from Powell too)
... identify your shadow mission, b/c it will kill your true mission
... Kirk Franklin is a pretty dory character, but dances like a champ (observation, HA)

(I'll look through my notes and blog more later)