Learning bandwidth. Is yours large or small? Is it wide or narrow?

Are you willing to expand your learning bandwidth larger than the normal avenues in which you learn? Can you learn from someone who doesn’t share your theological viewpoints? Are you able to glean insights from people who have opposing political perspectives? Will you read books that are not “Christianese“? Are you willing to learn from people who have gone before and persevered through the trials of life, regardless of their skin color, income, or career status?

A leader stifles his own leadership potential by having a narrow learning bandwidth. If you are not willing to learn from great leaders that are different from you, then you’ll never become a great leader. In fact, I’d suggest that you’ll always be a leader without followers, which in turn is basically something other than a leader.

At the Leadership Summit (Willow Creek) this year, Bill Hybels challenged us all to expand our learning bandwidths. It was a good challenge and one that I’ve always tried to pursue anyways. It was great to have that message reinforced in my life though.

This brief challenge was given before the Jimmy Carter interview. I will have to admit I understand why the challenge was given. It’s very typical in the christian culture that I was raised in to be totally opposed to someone because of their political views. Jimmy Carter is one such person who I’ve always had this pretty skewed negative view of for most of my life.

Hybels told a story of one such leader who emailed in protest basically saying that he and his entire leadership team would not come because Carter was included in the session lineup. As he told the story I could totally relate to that position, but after being strongly encouraged to “expand my learning bandwidth” I was ready to sit through anybody. In fact, Hybels emailed the guy back and lovingly said for once put aside you personal preferences and be a good leader. He encouraged the guy to sit through the session with his team and then afterwards to debrief to see if there were things they could learn from and/or things they disagreed with. He told the guy that by boycotting an entire conference because you have different political leanings then ONE of the speakers you in fact are depriving your team of good leadership insight AND being a terrible example of good leadership. Hybels wasn’t sure if the guy changed his position, but I’d hate to be encouraged in that way and still be so stubborn to the detriment of my partners in leadership.

Anyways, I said all that to say that the Jimmy Carter interview was amazing. I had to truly repent of my biased views of him. Not that he’s perfect or I agree with his politics, but as a man, he is truly a Christ follower and has done more for the kingdom then most of his critics combined.

Did you know that Jimmy Carter:

• Was a navy man
• Has a master’s degree in Nuclear Physics
• Was a State Senator
• Was Governor of Georgia

Like I said the interview was great. Carter was so humble and very aware of his mistakes in politics. He also was very sincere in “doing the right thing” when he was president.

I was very impressed and inspired by his work in and through the Carter Center, a non-profit dedicated to advancing human rights and alleviating suffering and also Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing organization building simple, decent, affordable housing in partnership with people in need.

What I learned from the Carter session:

• A good leader admits mistakes
• A good leader is humble
• A good leader learns
• A good leader gives back to the community
• A good leader reaches out
• A good leader breaks down walls
• A good leader leads

Jimmy Carter is still active in his local church. He teaches a Sunday School class each Sunday. He also travels around the world and helps build buildings for Habitat. When I am his age I hope to look back on my life and be proud of EVERYTHING I’ve journeyed through. Also, I hope to be able to still be contributing in a huge way.

Carter could easily be spending his retirement on the golf course but he’s a huge part of his local faith family and continues to be a huge part of the Carter Center and Habitat.