Weekly Impact is written for leaders by our Executive Director, Garth Jestley, who has decades of experience in senior leadership roles in the financial services sector. Each week he will share insights on life, leadership and faith.
Recently, Roy Hildebrand, our Regional Director Prairies, shared some feedback from one of several business couples who had attended our Global Exchange in Panama City. To paraphrase their report, “Panama was a paradigm shift for us in so many ways, a watershed experience that had and will continue to have eternal impacts. The enormity of burdens we unloaded there cannot be understated.”
To date, my wife, Mary, and I have attended two Global Exchanges, one in Panama City, the other in Mexico City. This couple’s story reminded me afresh of how impactful these exchanges were for Mary and me.
For those not familiar with Global Exchanges, these are LeaderImpact events in which teams of marketplace leaders from Canada and other countries visit a host country by invitation. During the week, team members receive excellent training and form strong bonds with fellow team members. Then they step out of their comfort zones to share the relevance of faith in God in their professional and personal lives.
In numerous different settings, they experience the joy of sharing their stories with influential leaders of the host country and seeing the results firsthand. On this occasion, the team impacted hundreds of Panamanian leaders and the team members returned home changed.
Year after year, we hear stories just like this both in Canada and abroad. They underscore the four brand values of LeaderImpact: changed lives, relationships that matter, uncommon opportunities and fun. Yes, fun!
I would like to briefly focus on changed lives, the first value. Though marketplace leaders often seem highly successful from an outsider’s perspective, many are stuck in a rut and need a change.
When success no longer satisfies, it’s time to make a positive change from the status quo.
As an executive, I can attest to this reality. Prior to my decision to follow Jesus Christ, success no longer satisfied as it once did and I wondered if there were something more to life. More compensation, promotions and bigger houses no longer satisfied as they once did and the stress of business life was taking a toll on family and other important relationships.
At LeaderImpact, our vision is leaders everywhere experiencing life to the full. By definition, this means positive change from the status quo. According to the Bible, Jesus told his followers, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” I have personally discovered Jesus’ statement to be true.
Are you stuck in a rut? Would you like a change? We can help. Join us on our next Global Exchange, or check out one of the LeaderImpact Groups meeting weekly in your city.
Garth Jestley is a husband, father, grandfather, leader and business executive. Most importantly, he is a follower of Jesus Christ.