Billy had gone with his gut and brought the right person on
the bus.
If You Can’t Hover, Connect at Critical Junctures
Leaders positioned to birth dreams know they can’t become
managers but must hand off those roles. Billy Graham has always
worked under lots of pressure, handling demands and opportuni-
ties and addressing new challenges. But he casts a continuous eye
on events and at pivotal moments has focused on a pressing need.
When CTI went through rough waters in the early 1970s, he
personally made sure adequate funding flowed in to ensure its
survival. In the late 1970s when the search process for a new edi-
tor was stalled, he sought out Ken Kantzer. Always concerned
about financial integrity, he insisted an audit committee be
appointed from the board. At one point during that same era, he
heard some negative buzz from various critics about CTI’s new
administration. Instead of having others investigate, he requested
a personal meeting. The two top leaders flew to Phoenix, where
Billy was staying, and explored the issue face-to-face. The meet-
ing clarified crucial understandings and set the tone for the future.
Many years later at yet another transition in CTmagazine’s edi-
torial staffing, Billy invited them to Montreat, where he and Ruth
hosted them and listened to their new plans. He wanted to know
who the additional key players would be and how the structure
would function. After making several suggestions, he gave the
plans his blessing, and to the staffers, warm encouragement.
Long after the birth of a dream, a founder’s personal interest
can continue to keep it vital and growing.
Be Realistic
For all the bullish examples included above, we’d be remiss not
to include cautions. As Drucker says, new things always get into
trouble. A successful birth, when it occurs, is generally preceded by
intense and capable preparation. Even then, events may cause still-
birth. As the Bible says, “The race is not to the swift, nor the bat-
tle to the strong... but time and chance happen to them all.”
The Leadership Secrets of Billy Graham