- Controversy around having Carter speak: different politics, etc. Some people even wrote to tell Hybels that they were boycotting the conference because of Carter. But can you learn from people who are different? “If not, I feel even worse for your team.”
- Is your learning bandwidth expanding?
- Even if you have negative bias toward a speaker, use it as an opportunity to learn.
- It’s Hybel’s intention to try to have speakers that put some of us on the edge.
- Became president because he gradually saw expanded opportunities for his skill at a larger level.
- Transition from non-politics to politics didn’t require leadership style change, although it did require learning a lot about the new sphere.
- What do you look for in close [team helpers]?
- People with integrity.
- For military, got someone who thought military should keep the peace, but would develop innovative weaponry.
- Loyal to what I want to do, but who have more knowledge about their area.
- Likes subordinates to disagree with each other and him.
- Asked for resignation of entire Cabinet once.
- Wanted to get rid of three (out of 17) people. Asked for resignations from all of them, then accepted the pro-forma resignations of the three he wanted to remove. This was to try to eliminate the stigma of being fired. In retrospect, not the best way to accomplish the task.
- His father allowed him to make important decisions at a young age. Gave him the business of pulling up, cleaning, and selling peanuts. Saved a fair amount of money. When cotton got to 5 cents a bale, his father asked him if he wanted to buy some, but the decision was his. Bought a bunch, then when it was 18 cents/lb sold it and bought a bunch of rental homes.
- Best leadership moment: signing the peace agreement between Egypt and Israel (which has not been violated). Also, when hostages left Iran, was pleased that it was accomplished without bloodshed.
- Grew up with no white neighbors. So black culture influenced him a lot.
- Churches are still some of the most segregated institutions.
- Works with Habitat for Humanity a lot.
- Few cross the divide between rich and poor.
- Carter Center originally founded to provide a place for warring sides to come to an agreement. But through doing that, discovered that much of the world has no opportunity for health care, education, etc. Carter Center fills voids that the U.N., U.S., World Bank, etc. are not interested in filling.
- Feels that divide between rich and poor will be the most important problem in the next century.
- Habitat [for Humanity] is a great way to bridge that divide.
- As rich get richer, it becomes harder to bridge the divide.
- Has realized that they (the poor in Africa, etc.) are just as smart, ambitious, hard-working, good family values as me.
- War begets more war. It does not bring peace.
- A superpower should exemplify this. People should say “let’s go to Washington, because they believe in peace.” “Let’s go to Washington, they believe in civil rights.”
- “Seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14)
- Hybels: why don’t I call Willow Creek to pray for peace more?
- War begets war.
- The Bible calls for non-retaliatory responses. Why don’t we preach this more?
- After Carter’s defeat, could have been a bitter old man. Instead, he builds homes for the homeless and leads others into peace.