GLS 2021: Jerry Lorenzo Interview

Growing in Creativity

• I operate from a place of conviction and a place of obedience. I have a conviction for my vision for the future.
• A lot of creativity comes from problem solving and creating solutions.
• Starting at the problem is a great way to direct the creativity.

Breaking through Creative Barriers

• When I’m stuck, I fall back.
• I’m constantly feeding myself. I’m very conscious of what I’m watching on television. I’m conscious of what I’m listening to. It has the potential to feed me what the solution may be.
• When feeling stuck, fall back and take time away from the problem to feed yourself ideas.

Values-Shaped Leadership

• As the company grows and I feel over my head, I can remember that I was once there before. It’s a day-by-day thing. As long as I apply myself and am obedient to the call on my life, I have confidence that those answers are going to come.
• By being the same person consistently 100% of the time, I am consistently open to solutions for the purpose and plan for my life.
• Strive to be the same person in every area of your life.

What’s Holding Back Your Leadership?

• It’s easy to get caught in the prison of other people’s perceptions of who you are.
• TD Jakes said, “The quickest way to leave your history is to run after your destiny.”
• In order to run after your destiny, what is the inventory I need to take of my personal life?
• It’s easier to make decisions because you know where you are going. You’re focused on your destiny. You’re no longer focused on the opinions of others. You’re no longer focused on the shame of your past or the shame of your present.
• Vision provides a roadmap for where you want to go.
• Discipline is choosing what you want most over what you want now.

Dealing with Insecurity

• I put the pressures on the one who made me and take them off my back. I’m going to be a mirror to the light. I’m going to be an echo to the voice. When things get heavy, I shift my focus.
• When you feel insecure, shift your focus.
• Your best ideas come from outside of you.
• When you get into a creative rut, ask yourself: what is the problem?

The Ability to Collaborate

• To be a great leader, you have to collaborate.
• When collaborating, do you both see the future the same way?
• Relationships are not built in how you gaze into each other but how you look into the future in the same direction.
• When you hit a stuck point in collaborating, start with humility.
• This is me trying to serve you in the best way I know how.
• If needed, step back and reconsider ideas that have been presented to you.

Hiring for Vision

• When hiring, ask: do they believe in what you are doing? Do they believe in the vision? If it’s something they believe in, it will take them past their competency.
• When you make a hiring just based on expertise, the conversation is boxed in and you may miss the bigger picture.
• Don’t look down the road. You’re not carrying that weight right now. Focus on the things that are in front of you.