"an important asset for any leader to have as they work to inspire and motivate there followers is a credible creation story or myth for the organization or movement they're leading." - Steve Sample, the contrarians guide to leadership.
i remember watching Steve Sample, the president of USC talk at the summit a few years back and describe the shear importance of a creation story. Bill Hybels asked him to share the creation story of USC and in under 5 minutes he told such a powerful story that i think the majority of those in attendence were kicking ourselves for not going to USC. that's the power of a good story.
Sample adds, "keep in mind that leadership is all about getting followers to move in new directions; thus a creation story that enshrines the status quo is not much help to the leader. finally, the story engenders pride among the members of the Trojan family; it inspires people to dream more audaciously than they might otherwise have done. after all, if a tiny little college with no resourcdes to speak of, and located in a backwater village, can become an internationally renowned research university in just over a hundred years, what might the next hundred bring?"
does your ministry have a creation story? could you in under five minutes share it with key leaders, parents or students? does it inspire people to dream more audaciously?
I've got a flood story going on right now. Just waiting on that dove to bring me a branch.
Posted by: ryan guard | March 24, 2008 at 11:24 PM
thanks for sharing this steve...it's a lot to think about. i'm going to share your thoughts with our staff...
Posted by: Kristi Templeton | April 03, 2008 at 07:36 PM