2018 PACA Young Leaders Development Group Leadership & Team Building Conference

Building Cathedrals: The Power of Purpose is based on a story that has been told for over 300 years that illustrates the most productive and successful people in life are those of purpose. And while many have heard a version of this apocryphal story, Greg Coker has discovered the origin of this life-changing story to the world’s most famous architect, Christopher Wren, who was commissioned to rebuild Saint Paul’s Cathedral after the fire of 1666 that devastated London. Greg Coker captivates as he enriches this story dissecting the leadership qualities of Christopher Wren and revisiting the fire of 1666 and its redemptive qualities not only to London but in our personal lives as well. He introduces a powerful metaphor, a “Cathedral,” as something that adds purpose to our lives, that drives our behavior, while encouraging us to not only find our “Cathedral,” but to help and support others in finding their “Cathedral.” The “Bricklayers” in the story provide the backdrop for a rich discussion on employee engagement and the dynamics that occur in modern day organizations. The highlight of the book and the speech are personal stories of people who are building modern day “Cathedrals” and those who have experienced “personal fires,” but like London were able to come out stronger, quicker, faster. Greg Coker concludes with a list of simple yet powerful examples of how we have the amazing power and the responsibility to touch and inspire others in a deep and meaningful way.g