With 24 years of experience and leadership training through the military, Pastor Mike Brown is no stranger to the importance of leadership development. Although already a highly skilled leader, Pastor Brown said his participation in Leadership Kalamazoo during 2005 was beneficial to his, at that time, newly appointed role as President and CEO of Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries.

“I had quite a bit of leadership experience, but I found that Leadership Kalamazoo helped me to forge relationships and relearn some old principles. Some of those relationships still carry on today.”

In addition to the valuable connections, Leadership Kalamazoo helped to remind Pastor Brown of the importance of his team.

“Just because you’re a leader doesn’t mean you know everything,” said Pastor Brown. “One of the things I learned was the value of the team and the diverse wisdom on that team. I have to trust my team when I give them the responsibility to spearhead a program. I have to trust that they’re stronger in areas, oftentimes, than I am.”

During his tenure leading the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Pastor Brown has learned that hiring well is vital. He encourages all leaders to understand and respect the importance of a good team.

In addition to supporting about 80 percent of Kalamazoo’s homeless population, the team at the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission has also been hard at work preparing for its new 4,700-square-foot women and children facility.

“I’ve got a tremendous team. I would say, I probably have one of, if not the best team I’ve ever had—including my time in the military,” said Pastor Brown. “There’s so much more involved in hiring than just hiring a skill set. I believe you have to hire an attitude.”

As leaders in the community continue to participate in Leadership Kalamazoo, he encourages them to engage in all parts of the program, even the conversations that may be uncomfortable.

“You don’t want to deprive yourself of the opportunity to learn and to develop,” said Pastor Brown. “There may be things that you feel uncomfortable doing or conversations you are uncomfortable having. Those conversations don’t have to last forever, and for the brief time that you have that conversation, you will definitely learn something, one way or the other.”

Leadership Kalamazoo, powered by Southwest Michigan First, is Southwest Michigan’s premier civic leadership development program that helps professionals build strengths, talents, knowledge, and relationships to succeed in ever-changing environments. This feature is part of FIRST & 42’s Leadership Kalamazoo Alumni in Action series brought to you by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.