2018 Leadership Forum Offers Keen Insights

President Jon S. Kulaga opened the University's annual Leadership Forum by welcoming the many attendees in the new Ministry and Performing Arts Center. 

Underscoring the importance of character in leaders, Kulaga noted that the University strives to inculcate three habits in students through its Christ-centered higher education: 1) spiritual growth through practicing inner devotion, or holiness, 2) intellectual development through academic learning, and 3) keeping faith alive through community service—habits of the heart, head, and hands.  Then he introduced this year's three keynote speakers, distinguished leadership advisors and practitioners:

Logan Stout, a 16-time World Series player, Stout is an entrepreneur, business leader, motivational speaker, coach, and author of Stout Advice: the Secrets to Building Yourself, People, and Teams.  Stout spoke about the importance of developing ‘up-hill habits’ to support building positive outcomes in life.  He recommends that leaders develop ‘bullseye targets' to focus efforts on achieving specific goals and objectives.  He advises maintaining a ‘momentum mindset’ so initial success stays on course.  Individuals can ‘design’ their lives by developing good habits to replace bad habits and help the world become a better place by leading with love.

Eric Metaxas, New York Times #1 bestselling author of Bonhoeffer, Miracles, Amazing Grace, and If You Can Keep it: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty, hosts The Eric Metaxas Show.  Metaxas shared about how to succeed as a person of faith in a secular world, narrating humorous anecdotes about his journey to becoming a follower of Christ and successful author. He maintains that leaders will benefit from focusing on what is good, true, and beautiful, and order their desires and passions according to God’s will.  Americans are ‘blessed to be a blessing,’ the greatest honor and sobering because of the responsibility it requires to cherish and protect the freedoms we enjoy as citizens.

John McConnell, Chairman and CEO of Worthington Industries, is a board director of OhioHealth and has served also on Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Children’s Hospital, YMCA, and Columbus Zoo boards.  McConnell shared his real-world experience of inheriting leadership of an established steel manufacturing enterprise in a mature industry facing stresses of globalization.  Survival meant innovating to create new products and services, using creative imagination to anticipate and meet needs of a rapidly evolving marketplace.  Today Worthington Industries is benefiting from McConnell’s applying strategic, progressive leadership.  His advice:  Be creative, seek and discover innovative ways to meet new challenges to continue being successful.