“If you listen to your fears, you will die never knowing what a great person you might have been.” ~ Rev. Robert H. Schuller
When I started my first business over 20 years ago, I had a dear friend and mentor, Raymond “Mike” Johnston who introduced me to the inspirational teachings of the late, great Reverend Robert H. Schuller.
A California clergyman, motivational speaker and author who first started his ministry by preaching at a drive-in movie theater and later transforming it into a mega-church, Rev. Schuller was widely known for his “Hour of Power” ministry and for his no-nonsense “possibility thinking” teachings weaved throughout his best-selling self-help books including my favorite, “Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do.”
In his books, Rev. Schuller encouraged self-belief and self-reliance and while April 2nd, 2015 marked his death at the age of 88, his ministry lives on through his teachings.
Below are the top four leadership lessons Robert H. Schuller taught us.
Top Leadership Lesson No. 1 – It’s all About Self-Reliance.
“If it’s going to be, it’s up to me.” ~ Rev. Robert H. Schuller
Simple to understand but sometimes difficult to accept, the bottom line is we’re all responsible for our own success. If we wait for others to make things happen, we may be waiting a good long while before we achieve the results that we’re looking for. Schuller’s personal journey speaks volumes to the truth of these words. From his humble beginnings preaching at a drive-in movie theater to his rise as founder/CEO of the Crystal Cathedral mega-church, Schuller’s accomplishments are a testimony to his teachings.
Top Leadership Lesson No. 2 – Self-Confidence, Self-Belief and Perseverance are Key.
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” ~ Rev. Robert H. Schuller
As entrepreneurs, we all face self-doubt and fear of failure. What Rev. Schuller taught us is that we need to look within ourselves for strength. It’s true that tough times never last. The key is to believe in yourself; believe in your purpose, and tough it out, so to speak. Schuller himself faced many obstacles and trials, however, he believed in himself and his purpose and he stayed the course to the end.
I’ve personally drawn upon Schuller’s words throughout my career and they have helped me immensely in achieving my goals and staying strong even when I’ve faltered. (Which has happened more often than I’d have liked, for sure!)
Top Leadership Lesson No. 3 – Dare to Dream.
“If you can dream it, you can do it! ~ Rev. Robert H. Schuller
In his ministry, Rev. Schuller focused on what he believed are the positive aspects of the Christian faith and encouraged Christians and non-Christians alike to achieve great things through God and to believe in their dreams.
Top Leadership Lesson No. 4 – Tolerance is Essential.
Rev. Schuller was known for welcoming all to the church and he taught us a valuable lesson about the importance of tolerance.
While we all lost a great man of God last week, his legacy of hope lives on.
PR ByIntention® 
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