He became a pastor at the age of 25 and delivered his famous “Dream Speech” nearly a decade later, giving him plenty of opportunities to sharpen his craft.
Many of the most gifted public speakers in our society are faith leaders. One gratifying benefit of writing books and columns on communication skills is the opportunity to reach an audience that extends beyond the “target market” of sales and business leaders. I constantly hear from spiritual leaders across religious denominations—priests, pastors, ministers, and rabbis—who work on their speaking skills to deliver more inspiring sermons. Their messages are different, their traditions are different, but their goals are the same—to inspire their audiences and to give them a reason to return to church or synagogue the next week.
By understanding the needs and the challenges of our spiritual leaders I’ve also learned to appreciate just how much business leaders can learn from those whose job it is to inspire their congregations. In fact, many of the words we use to define great communicators in business are based in the spiritual tradition. We look to business leaders to “inspire” us. In many companies the best presenters carry the title, “evangelist.” We call especially persuasive CEOs “charismatic,” capable of “converting” prospects into customers. They are “passionate” leaders who have “a calling” and inspire us to a “higher purpose.”
Read more: Forbes
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
