93: Roger Parrott, President, Belhaven University

Daniel Giordano

SUMMARY:

This episode of the All-In Podcast invites even the most ambitious of professionals to surrender the compulsion to plan, which Dan’s guest assures will yield transformational results in both life and business. Roger Parrott, who is the President of Belhaven University and a sought-after speaker, has learned through the course of his journey that the most profound opportunities arise from the commitment to “let God lead.” In his new book, “Opportunity Leadership: Stop Planning and Start Getting Results,” Roger turns leadership on its head, demonstrating how unexpected turns of fortune —the ones you may be missing—are available to those who are fully committed to accepting God’s direction. He provides six traits on which to focus your leadership outlook and step-by-step strategies for achieving your mission by capturing – instead of creating – the space for change. You will be amazed at the results!

Click here to learn more about Roger’s book, “Opportunity Leadership: Stop Planning and Start Getting Results.”

KEY TOPICS:

Roger is a third-generation college president and pastor who loved growing up in a home that placed education and faith at the center of his life – where they remain today.
During Covid-19 Belhaven offered all of its students coursework to complete a master’s degree in business for free.
All about Roger’s new book, “Opportunity Leadership: Stop Planning and Start Getting Results.”
Roger believes that planning serves little purpose in life other than getting in the way of God’s vision, which is ripe with opportunities beyond our imagining.
Letting go of the need to plan has liberated Roger in all areas of his life – perhaps especially in his leadership at Belhaven.
Roger shares stories of stumbling blocks and challenges, including having to condemn and close down one of the main campus buildings. It at first appeared to be a devastating turn of events. But, as he recounts, soon enough there came unexpected upsides (a brand new science building that now houses, among other things, a nursing school). So what was a darkest day turned into a source of light – and enduring lesson about putting trust in divine intervention!
Parting Thought: Roger’s book offers atheologically grounded step-by-step plan that creates space for us to respond to opportunities with expediency, adeptness, and energy.

KEY QUOTES:

“It’s a different kind of education because it’s about understanding the best of whatever the discipline with the best of God’s direction for us.”
“Growing and understanding always continues and is a lifelong journey.”
“God has a vision for us and I think we hold Him back with our planning … We get so committed to the plan that we miss all the opportunities God brings.”
“It’s a theological foundation that we have to commit to. We all say in the Christian world that we want to follow God’s lead and be dependent on God, but we don’t act like it.”

About Roger:

Roger is president of Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. He has been a sought-after consultant to over 100 different ministries, and has experience serving on boards of international, national, and local ministries and non-profits, as well as higher education leadership organizations.

Contacts for Roger:

Websites: www.belhaven.edu

About the All In Podcast Show:

The All-In Podcast Show presents top Entrepreneurs, Innovators and World Changers willing to share their breakthrough moments and how they are changing the world. Focused on being “All-In” on the four areas of life: faith, family, finances, and health, host Daniel Giordano invites mentors who exemplify balance and a commitment to building a bold life of excellence.

Previous episodes of the The All-In Podcast can be found here.