When Richard Garner started his journey with Arrow in 2022 he hadn’t anticipated the impact the Executive Leaders Program would have on his leadership.  “This program has propelled my leadership journey more than any other,” he shares. 

As a father of 4 and Business Manager (BM) at Toowoomba Christian College (TCC), Richard was skeptical of his capacity to participate in the Arrow admitting that, “despite reading all the Arrow material upfront I had fallen into the trap of convincing myself that it wasn’t the right time for me to participate.” Regardless of Richard’s hesitations, God had other plans for him, and in December 2021 he was accepted into the program and began the journey in building life-long connections and a supportive network. 

Leading Self 

The Arrow program is structured around three residentials which span over a 12 month period. Richard’s first residential took place at the end of May at Santa Teresa Spirituality  Centre at Wellington Point.  Known for its peaceful environment overlooking Moreton Bay, it was the perfect setting to start the reflective process of ‘Leading Self’. 

Shortly after his arrival Richard realised that the Arrow program ‘felt  different to any of my usual undertakings in this chapter of my life.’ The four-day residential centered around introspective sessions, designed to help leaders reflect on their character, integrity and how Christ is Lord over all these things. Richard quickly adopted a new rhythm of worship and reflection over the four-day retreat, taking the opportunity to listen to God’s voice. 

“I started to dismantle some of  my hard wires. I started to understand  that I could never have the integrity or  character of Jesus Christ but I had plenty  of room for improvement!” he reflects.

Leading and Inspiring Teams 

A key component of the Arrow program is giving leaders the time and space for introspection, before equipping them to lead and inspire others. By residential 2 Richard had spent time reflecting, reading and ready to grow and learn what it meant to lead and inspire teams.  

Collectively he had already noticed he was growing as a leader, and was starting to add some small doses of wisdom to his knowledge. His daily decision making was improving and he began using techniques learnt from Arrow in all spheres of life; family, friends, church and work. “By now my teams at  school were noticing a positive change  and I was gaining traction.” 

From feeling hesitant about Arrow, Richard began to embrace the opportunity to grow and lead better. “I had  undertaken a 360 Degree Leadership  Profiling Inventory and then invited 12 staff to complete a feedback review of me,” he shares.  

Alongside Richards personal growth, he was also growing in connections with other like-minded leaders who were challenging each other and critically thinking through problems and solutions together. 

Leading and Transforming Organisations

The final residential took place in Sydney, and it covered the topic of ‘Leading and  Transforming Organisations’. 

Through the Arrow program, Richard gained a comprehensive understanding of his leadership, encompassing both personal reflection and practical skills. Richard credits the Arrow program for enabling him to embrace vulnerability, a quality he now values. 

Richard also began to transfer his skills from Arrow into his leadership at work. Practical tips were being implemented, his meeting  formats were changing and the staff at school were growing in interest about the Arrow program. Richard finally felt confident that his presence was making a positive difference. “How amazing,” he reflected, “I felt like my attendance was having a positive influence.”

A Lasting Impact

As Richard reflects back on his time at Arrow he proudly shares about the lasting impact it’s had on his leadership and life, “I have changed. grown and  matured as a husband, friend and leader  since completing the Arrow program.” 

The impact of Arrow wasn’t limited to expanding Richard’s leadership skills, he also made life-long connections, “I have  gained a life-long prayer partner, a mentor  and a network of almost 3,500 like-minded  leaders across the globe who I can tap into  at any time.”

These lasting impacts are what motivate Richard to encourage other Christian leaders to invest in their leadership development. He challenges them to “consider your growth and invest your time wisely into leadership courses and select the right one for you.”

Richard’s journey has led him to a real desire to share his Arrow experience. He genuinely hopes that by telling his story, he can help others see what an incredible chance Arrow offers. Arrow isn’t just about leadership tools; what really sets it apart is its focus on developing the leader from the inside out. Arrow believes that true, impactful leadership starts with understanding yourself deeply, growing in Christ, and building a leadership foundation under Christ.