Craig T. Owens

My mind and heart were expanded once again at this year’s Global Leadership Summit! Bill Hybels opened the conference with a call to leaders to promote civility in our areas of influence. Here are a few notes I jotted down.

“The solution to incivility must begin with me.” —Bill Hybels

“Christians do not get to chose whom they will respect [1 Peter 2:17].” —Bill Hybels

Bill Hybels’ 10 rules of respect:

1. Leaders must set the standard of how to disagree without demonizing the other person.
2. Leaders must allow spirited conversations without it getting personal.
3. Leaders must not interrupt others who are talking.
4. Leaders must limit their volume level and eliminate belittling words.
5. Leaders must set the example of being courteous.
6. Leaders must never stereotype.
7. Leaders must apologize immediately if they are wrong.
8. Leaders must form opinions carefully.
9. Leaders must set the example of showing up on time and doing what they say they will do.
10. Leaders must set rules of respect for the organization and enforce them relentlessly.

Bill Hybels closed with this challenge—“When was the last time I reflected deeply on my own convictions about respecting others?”