Posts Tagged ‘InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’
Using Power Poorly By Alec Hill
By Underutilizing Their Power, Passive Leaders Cause Serious Harm Much ink has been spilled on leaders who abuse their positional power. Subordinates are bullied, shady dealings abound, and egos run rampant. But there is another misuse of power that can be just as lethal. Though less notorious, passive leaders also cause real damage. When acting…
Read MoreMy Bout with Anxiety by Alec Hill
Empathy for Those with Anxiety and Mental Health Issues It started with a low potassium count, and anxiety followed. The imbalance showed up on a blood test during my annual physical exam. The solution seemed simple enough – take supplements. But, for whatever reason, that didn’t work. What ensued – waking up abruptly in the…
Read MoreFinding Gold in Manure By Alec Hill
Sometimes You Have to Dig Deep to Find Gold! People lose gold wedding rings in various locations – garbage disposals, bathroom sinks, and, yes, toilets. Suffice it to say. It is not a pleasant experience digging through refuse to find the gold. But we do so because the ring is of such great value. Similarly,…
Read MoreThe Accidental Mentor By Alec Hill
Five Lessons Learned by Becoming a Mentor The path to becoming a mentor can be accidental. In 2016, I faced a challenging situation. Following a bone marrow transplant, my long-term disability benefits were running out. Given my illness, I still needed six more months of living in quasi-isolation and could not return to the job…
Read MoreDifferent Perspectives on Time By Alec Hill
Each Generation Views Time Differently Most young adults see the future and time as having a long trajectory. Looking ahead to a seemingly endless time horizon, they prize having novel experiences, meeting new people, and learning new things. Priorities include exploration and achievement. By contrast, those of us who are older tend to live more…
Read MoreWonder By Alec Hill
We all need wonder in our lives. Wonder makes us gasp, causing us to say, “oh my.” It may be experienced while walking on a shoreline, watching a newborn enter the world, or listening to incredible music. As ministry leaders, we sense wonder when our mission is fleshed out before our eyes. This may…
Read MoreTo Conceal or Disclose By Alec Hill
Conceal or Disclose: When Keeping a Secret Can Be Good or Bad It takes wisdom to discern the right time to conceal or disclose sensitive information. When I became InterVarsity’s president, my intent was to be fully transparent. No secrets. But overtime, I began to rethink my approach. I came to see that some secrets…
Read MoreConfessions of a White Leader By Alec Hill
My Confession as a White Leader I’m a white boomer who has had the good fortune of leading two ethnically diverse teams. The first, as a regional director for World Relief, involved resettling 1,000 refugees a year. The second was as president of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. During my 14 year tenure, staff of color increased…
Read MoreBreaking Down Persistence By Alec Hill
The Power of Persistence We can learn much from those who harnessed the power of persistence. I am reminded of an unlikely hero named Ed Drake. In 1859, Ed was an unemployed 38-year-old drifter. But he had a big idea. He wondered whether it would be possible to drill for oil with the same technology…
Read MoreStop Raising Up Leaders By Alec Hill and Justin Lawrence
Leaders who can’t manage aren’t really leaders at all! A cottage industry has sprung up around Christian leaders and leadership. Whether it’s conferences, books, videos, or degree programs, there is no shortage of places to listen to inspiring thought leaders. What’s Missing But as we assess churches and other non-profits, this charge-ahead leadership model is…
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