Leaders Are Learners

I think I first heard that from John Maxwell. It stuck with me. For the last 30+ years I've been attempting to learn all I can about life, relationships, leadership, personal growth, my relationship with God and the mission and potential of the local church. 


LEADERS ARE LEARNERS is a weekly email and blog post that will feature some of the things I've been learning that week. Feel free to share this with a friend and invite them to subscribe. 

Five Quotes I’m Thinking About:

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” —JFK

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” —John Quincy Adams

“The challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” —Jim Rohn

“Once in seven years I burn all my sermons; for it is a shame if I cannot write better sermons now than I did seven years ago.”  —John Wesley

“Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.” —Norman Schwarzkopf

YouTube Clip Worth Watching:

Simon Sinek –Millennials in the Marketplace

Eighteen minutes that are powerful and profound in regards to Simon’s insights into millennials and how to lead them!  Watch this. Then, watch it again.

Podcasts Worth Listening To:

Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast

Creating World Class Service Part 1

Andy interviews Horst Schulze, Chairman and CEO of Capella Hotel Group about what it means to create world-class service. Schulze’s approach to leading people on the “front lines” in customer service will inspire and motivate you to develop a culture of great customer service, regardless of your business or ministry.

I was really challenged as to how Schulze's principles translated to what we do as a church or non-profit. This is an incredible conversation. 

*This podcast is on iTunes and via the website link above. Show notes for the podcast are available on the website. 

Kris Vallotton’s Podcast

The Power of Belonging

Kris is the Senior Associate Leader and a teaching pastor at Bethel Church in Redding, CA. In this podcast, Kris breaks down eight keys to creating a culture of belonging. 

This is evidently a teaching that Kris delivered to a church, but the principles he covers on "belonging" are powerful and transferrable. I loved this podcast and have listened to it a few times. Ck it out! 

*This podcast is available on iTunes and via the website link above.

Books or Articles Worth Reading:

Intentional Living: Choosing A Life That Matters by JohnMaxwell

I love the books of John Mawell. They have been life-changing for me! I think this is John's best yet! Our entire team went through the book last year. The beginning of a year represents a great opportunity to read or reread this "classic." 

Here's the gist: We all have a longing to be significant - to make a contribution, to be a part of something noble and purposeful. Achieving significance isn’t about age, money, status or power. The only thing you really need to achieve significance is intentionality.

In this book John unpacks how each of us can live a life of significance and intentionality. I'll actually be leading a MasterMind based on this book early February 2017. Email me today if you're interested in participating. 


Other Books I'm Currently Reading:

Intentional Living: Choosing A Life That Matters by John Maxwell (Re-reading)

God Is Good: He's Better Than You Think by Bill Johnson

You Win In The Locker Room First by Jon Gordon

Life Word by Jon Gordon

Dirty Glory by Pete Greig

The Perfect Day Formula by Craig Ballantyne


Originals by Adam Grant

To Contact Chris Goins

Chris Goins

cgoins@a2church.org