For more than three decades, I have been committed to wholistic growth—becoming
a healthier, more self-aware person so I can show up better in every area of life.
That journey took a significant turn in the late 1990s when I began working for Drs.
Henry Cloud and John Townsend. But it was in 2002, when I attended my first Ultimate
Leadership workshop, that something truly clicked.
I walked into that workshop thinking I knew myself pretty well. I walked out realizing I
didn’t know myself nearly as well as I thought I did.
The experience was unlike any leadership training I had encountered. It wasn’t simply
about becoming a better leader, learning new skills, or managing people more
effectively. It was a deep dive into the person behind the leader.
Drs. Cloud and Townsend often described this kind of personal work as the missing
piece in traditional leadership development—and I experienced firsthand what they
meant. Because who we are on the inside inevitably affects how we show up on the
outside.
How we handle conflict.
How we respond under pressure.
How we build trust.
How we communicate.
How we lead.
How we love and connect with the people around us.
During that first workshop, I discovered things about myself that may have been obvious
to others but were eye-opening to me. I had blind spots. I had some rough edges.
And I had work to do.
But instead of leaving discouraged, I left hopeful. Why? Because awareness creates an
opportunity for growth.
For the first time, I could see some of the areas that were getting in my way—and now
that I could see them, I could actually do something about them.
I also discovered something incredibly freeing: none of us has it all together.
We each have strengths, weaknesses, unique wiring, and areas where we need to
grow.
That experience showed me where to begin. It changed the way I understood
leadership—and it changed the way I understood myself.
Why GrowthSkills Foundation Exists
In 2016, while I was still working with Cloud-Townsend Resources, we made the
decision to bring these workshops under the umbrella of the newly launched nonprofit,
GrowthSkills Foundation.
It is important to clarify that GrowthSkills Foundation is a separate, independent
non-profit organization from Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend and their
organizations. Drs. Cloud and Townsend are not involved in the management or day-
to-day operation of GrowthSkills Foundation. They are, however, valued supporters of
the Foundation and its mission.
Creating GrowthSkills Foundation opened up an exciting possibility: we could help
make this transformational leadership experience more accessible to people who
might otherwise not be able to afford it.
Through donations, GrowthSkills Foundation can help offset the cost of this experience
for leaders in ministry—leaders who often have the greatest need for personal and
leadership development but may have the fewest financial resources to make it
possible.
I believe every leader can benefit from this kind of deep, personal work. And I
especially want ministry leaders to have access to it.
Because when a leader grows, the impact doesn’t stop with the leader.
It reaches their family.
Their team.
Their church.
Their organization.
And ultimately, the people they are called to serve.
That is my why.
I have experienced the impact of this work personally. I know what it is like to discover a
blind spot, face it honestly, and realize that growth is possible. I care deeply about
others reaching their full potential and becoming all they can be. Now I want to help
make that same opportunity available to others.
Would you take a few minutes to watch my video below? Please consider joining
our mission to transform how people live, love and lead.
And if you feel called to help make this experience possible for a ministry leader, your
support through GrowthSkills Foundation can help change a life—and multiply that
impact far beyond one person. Join the Mission & Give
