1. Leadership is forged in the furnace.
How can we as ordinary leaders deal with the heat we feel and rise to challenges greater than our capacities? While Billy Graham's natural mindset is "What could go wrong?"—he is determined to live by his convictions and the gospel of hope, and to communicate that confidence to others. Despite the worst, a leader must personify hope for the best.
"I've read the last page of the Bible. It's going to turn out all right."
2. The spirit of teambuilding empowers and energizes.
We can't always choose our leaders or teammates, but we can raise effective followership to a high level, often despite difficult circumstances. Billy Graham's extraordinary success with his core team raised the bar about what can be achieved. His decisions were based on mutual agreement rather than on a dictatorial basis.
"God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with."
3. Never underestimate a "small temptation".
Greed, pride, lust, and ambition—temptation can blindside you. A small indiscretion may appear worth the risk. But only after we hook into temptation do we discover its strength. By openly declaring their ethical standards, Billy Graham and his team admitted the dangers of temptation and clarified the expectations and accountabilities. You have to be in the dark, what you are in the light.
"When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, everything is lost."
4. Laser in on the mission.
It is easy to lose focus, especially with tasks that are closely related to your core mission. Without a clear purpose and well-channeled efforts, energy is diffused and power is dissipated. Billy Graham has focused on one element—connecting with broad audiences and bringing them to the point of decision. That means he primarily leaves to others the task of helping people grow in faith.
"I just want to lobby for God."
5. Embrace the challenge of criticism.
How you respond to critics reveals a lot about your sense of calling and your composure. Critics can force you to evaluate what you really believe about yourself and your mission. While Billy Graham at times would be angered by his critics, he would frequently hear out a critic, then explain his calling and his determination to fulfill that mission, inviting the critic to help with what Billy was compelled to do.
"Mountaintops are for views and inspiration, but fruit is grown in the valleys."
6. Recognize fear as a catalyst for courage.
One key detractor of courage is the avoidance of conflicts we dread. In the late 1970's, Communist authorities extended an invitation for Billy Graham to speak in Russian venues. U.S. leaders pressured Billy to decline the offer. After agonizing over the situation, Billy accepted the invitation. The U.S. media was sharply critical. Billy had to keep soldiering on and accept the harsh realities of the assaults. It was later acknowledged by the media that Billy alone had looked past the atheistic Soviet propaganda to see a nation eager for change.
"Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are stiffened."
7. Turn unthinkable failure into gold.
No one likes to fail, and leaders' failures produce magnified consequences. However, the goal is not a fail-safe record but a pattern of increasing effectiveness. In 1950, Billy Graham was allowed to briefly visit with President Truman. Afterwards, not knowing he was violating diplomatic protocol, he told the press everything he could remember. Learning of his grievous error, Billy vowed that it would never happen again. He eventually became a confidant of popes and presidents and prime ministers because he had learned to keep conversations in confidence.
"Out of defeat can come the best in human nature."
8. Emphasize the common ground
Managers work mostly within an organization while leaders also develop key relationships outside the organization. Over the years, Billy became a tremendous bridge builder, reaching across denominational, political, racial, and religious boundaries. Billy found ways to emphasis the common ground. Bridges aren't built by hiding our foundations and intentions but by admitting where we are, respecting those on the other side, and affirming the worth of the connection.
"We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing."
9. Inspire other leaders.
One of the most profound effects of Billy's leadership has been his stoking the fires of other leaders beyond his own organization. Rick Warren, author of the bestselling The Purpose Driven Life said, "Billy's fingerprints of influence are all over my ministry." For many leaders today, Billy was both a voice of wisdom and a mentor. One such leader remarked, "Billy's willingness to allow others to succeed may be his greatest lasting impact."
"The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying not, 'What a lovely sermon!' but, 'I will do something.'"
10. Leverage Weakness.
Great strengths are usually accompanied by significant weaknesses. Effective leaders accept their weaknesses and leverage them. First they admit them, then adapt, delegate, and constantly learn. Billy Graham had a deep sense of his own limitations. Despite his preaching to millions, Billy has often professed he wasn't a great preacher. And he was right. There are others who are more eloquent. Billy consistently set himself to learn from everyone.
"God measures people by the small dimensions of humility and not by the bigness of their achievements or the size of their capabilities."
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