The most striking thing about highly effective leaders is how little they have in common. What one swears by, another warns against. But one trait stands out: the willingness to risk.

Contrarian thinking at its best simply asks, Is this really true? It speaks up when the politically correct answer or the conventional wisdom doesn't match reality - when things simply don't work the way everyone says they should.

Life is too short and hell is too hot to just play church.

The idealist and dreamer will stubbornly go down with the ship. The serial innovator grabs the rudder and changes course.

The most striking thing about highly effective leaders is how little they have in common. What one swears by, another warns against. But one trait stands out: the willingness to risk.

The best-run churches and organizations are masters of the midcourse correction. They plan in pencil.