Extreme Qualities of Leaders Who Have "It" | Lead Like It Matters, Part 1

Summary

In this episode of the 'Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast', Craig explores the elusive 'it' factor in leaders and organizations, drawing on his book 'Lead Like It Matters'. He discusses the importance of embracing one's leadership extremes and the paradoxical qualities of effective leaders, such as being both optimistic and realistic, direct yet kind. Craig challenges listeners to assess their own leadership and to cultivate the qualities that make a significant impact.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Leaders who possess 'it', a certain quality that makes them stand out, are often the driving force behind organizations that also have 'it'.
• 📚 Craig Groeschel's book 'Lead Like It Matters' explores 7 principles for leadership that can be applied beyond church settings to any organization.
• 🤔 The concept of 'it' is elusive and not something that can be programmed or taught directly, but it can be 'caught' by being around others who have it.
• 🔍 Organizations and teams that have 'it' exhibit a unique vibe, vision, and momentum, which are often led by leaders who also embody these qualities.
• 💡 The book and podcast discuss the idea that 'it' is not a single quality but a combination of extreme and sometimes paradoxical leadership traits.
• 🛠️ Leaders who have 'it' are described as having extreme qualities, not being average but being excellent in a few key areas.
• 🧩 A leadership paradox is introduced as contradictory leadership qualities that, when combined, create a powerful impact.
• 🗣️ Two key paradoxes highlighted are being both optimistic and realistic, and being direct yet kind in communication.
• 🔑 Embracing one's leadership extremes is encouraged as a path to greatness, rather than striving for well-rounded mediocrity.
• ⏰ The importance of understanding and articulating the 'why' behind leadership actions is emphasized to inspire and motivate others.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the 'Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast'?

The main focus of the 'Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast' is to help leaders grow in their leadership skills, with the belief that everyone wins when the leader gets better.

How often is a new podcast episode released by the Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast?

A new podcast episode is released on the first Thursday of each month.

What is the significance of the 'Leader Guide' mentioned in the podcast?

The 'Leader Guide' is a resource that provides additional content, tips, and questions for leaders to discuss with their teams, aimed at enhancing leadership growth.

What is the name of the book written by Craig Groeschel that is mentioned in the podcast?

The book written by Craig Groeschel that is mentioned in the podcast is called 'Lead Like It Matters: 7 Principles for a Church that Lasts'.

What is the central theme of the book 'Lead Like It Matters'?

The central theme of 'Lead Like It Matters' is exploring the extreme qualities of leaders who have 'it' and how these qualities can be developed and maintained to create a significant leadership impact.

What does Craig Groeschel mean by 'it' when referring to leaders or organizations?

By 'it', Craig Groeschel refers to an elusive quality that some leaders and organizations possess, which gives them a special vibe, vision, momentum, or impact that sets them apart.

How can one obtain the 'Leader Guide' mentioned in the podcast?

The 'Leader Guide' can be obtained by visiting life.church/leadershippodcast and subscribing to receive it with each new episode release.

What is the concept of 'leadership paradox' as introduced by Craig Groeschel?

A 'leadership paradox' is a term coined by Craig Groeschel to describe contradictory leadership qualities that, when combined, create a synergy of undeniable leadership impact.

What are some examples of leadership paradoxes mentioned by Craig Groeschel?

Examples of leadership paradoxes mentioned include being both confident and humble, driven yet healthy, focused and flexible, optimistic and realistic, direct yet kind, empowering and controlling, leading with urgency and patience, and being both frugal and abundant.

How does Craig Groeschel suggest developing optimism in leadership?

Craig Groeschel suggests developing optimism by training oneself to see problems as opportunities and by believing in the potential for a better outcome, even when faced with challenges.

What is the importance of being both direct and kind in communication according to the podcast?

Being both direct and kind in communication is important because it ensures clarity and understanding while also showing empathy and care for the feelings of others, leading to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover.