What Messed With My Head: Summit 2011

August 26, 2011 in Bill Hybels, The Global Leadership Summit, United States with 11 Comments

I’ve been on a journey this year asking God to show me what humility looks like in a leader’s life. Humility in many ways seems counter to the strength, confidence and dominance that many leaders display.

We wrestle with desires for honor and to be esteemed. We long to be known, but Proverbs reminds us of the power of humility:

    “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Proverbs 11:2
    “The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” Proverbs 15:33

There’s a confident humility that comes from being deeply rooted in Christ’s calling for us. A confident humility that I believe is rarely seen…

But I saw it at this year’s Summit in two very specific moments:

It was in the extraordinary leadership of Bill Hybels as he shared the news of the Howard Schultz cancellation. I was inspired by a leader who spoke with confidence and conviction, yet with grace and forgiveness. He spoke boldly and called us as believers to respond wisely and kindly, but he displayed humility in his countenance that reflected the source of his wisdom.

And I was wrecked by the aura of humility that enveloped the room when Mama Maggie took the stage. She did not seek honor, in fact the honor of a standing ovation literally overwhelmed her to tears. But then this small, frail woman spoke with such eloquent conviction. She was extraordinarily confident yet profoundly humble.

These two moments of sincere humility are still messing with my head. How do we as leaders lead with confidence, yet be sure that our confidence is rooted in God’s calling and purpose for us rather than our own efforts or plans?

By: Jenni Catron (@jennicatron)
Executive Director of Cross Point Church
Read more of Jenni’s thoughts here.

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  • http://twitter.com/JustSayRay Russ Ray

    What impressed me about Hybels in watching that video is that the kneejerk reaction would be to take the bully pulpit and go on an anti-gay rant, but he reminds us not to be anti-anything. We’re all sinners saved by grace.

    • Anonymous

      So true, Russ.

  • Anonymous

    I actually bought Mr. Schultz’s book at the satellite location. And I still go to Starbucks. I guess it’s my way of “turning the other cheek.” I agree about Mama Maggie, I’m tearing up at the memory of the tangible presence of God in her life that was felt even via satellite. 

    • Anonymous

      Hi ThelmaBee!  I totally agree…. Mama Maggie had incredible presence.  Our team was impacted by her words and her character.  Session 5 was powerful.  

      -Hanna, Willow Creek Association 

  • Anonymous

    There was something in Erwin McManus’ talk that breezed by me during the conference, but which came out when I was reviewing notes on the following Monday — and it had to do with humility.

    There’s a tendency to juxtapose exercising humility and exercising talents. Using our talents to the fullest — really going full-on — is seen as contrary to humility. “Humility” is downplaying talents and gifts, standing quietly off to the side. Humility isn’t assertive. I think McManus called this position “false humility.” 

    Against false humility, McManus quipped something to the effect of “why shouldn’t I use my talents to the fullest. It’s not like they’re intimidating to God!” (I’m probably way off on that)

    According to Dickson’s definition (“holding one’s power for the good of others”) one’s talents, gifts, and just full-on passion can be used in a way that is 100% compatible with humility, because humility isn’t about being mild mannered Clark Kent standing along the sidelines of life.

    It’s too easy to call inaction “humility.” What I learned from Mama Maggie, John Dickson, and Erwin McManus is that humility is not about stepping back, it’s about stepping forward.

    • Anonymous

      Great thoughts @technosophos.  Thank you for adding more perspective to the discussion.  I totally agree!

    • http://manofdepravity.com Tyler Braun

      Great thoughts here. I agree that too often we view humility and using our talents as opposite. Humble people, we must think, just sit in a corner thinking about how bad they really are. Thanks.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks for sharing this reflection, Jenni. I can relate to it
    because of some things that have been on my heart relative to humility,
    leadership, and calling. More importantly, though, I think you’re asking a
    question that more leaders (including me) need to be asking themselves (and
    God) more frequently…

     

    “How do we as leaders lead with confidence, yet be sure that
    our confidence is rooted in God’s calling and purpose for us rather than our
    own efforts or plans?”

     

    Perhaps the first few steps required to answer that question
    are: 

     

    (1) Having a strong self-awareness of our wiring and giftedness
    along with a clear sense of where we might be used for the greatest Kingdom
    impact. (I think this comes through self-reflection, others’ observations, and
    an intentional analysis of where we see God using our strengths over the course
    of an average day when we’re just “being ourselves.”) 

     

    (2) Perhaps most importantly, having the willingness to actually
    ask God and ourselves this question on a regular basis. 

     

    (3) Having a spiritual sensitivity to listen quietly before God,
    trust Him, and obediently respond to the answers we receive from Him – even
    when the answers aren’t the ones we were hoping for. 

     

    I think the third step is the most difficult step for most of us
    (myself included, once again!). And that’s why we needed to have Mama Maggie at
    the Leadership Summit… 

     

    Blessings to you!

  • http://twitter.com/qayaqueen Mitzi Barker

    I had only halfheartedly signed up for the Summit….finding hard to make room in a busy work life right now, and I wasn’t too enthusiastic about attending.  I arrived late on Day 1 and entered the room just as Hybels went on the air with the announcement about Schultz’ cancellation. Gotta tell you, it rocked my socks off and set (for me, anyway) the tone for everything else that came after.  The intersection of corporate power, God’s grace, and servant leadership was powerful and spoke right into the quandry I face every day at work, in church ministry, and in life in general.

    • Anonymous

      Wow.  Mitzi, thanks for sharing that feedback.  Appreciate your honesty about your thoughts and motivation leading up to the Summit.  I’m so glad to hear that the content that you heard moved you- and applied to you.  Thanks for your words! 

      -Hanna, Willow Creek Association