From Workaholism to Freedom

The Global Leadership Network’s premier two-day leadership event of the year has been held annually in August for the last 25+ years. Recognized as one of the largest leadership events of its kind, The Global Leadership Summit (GLS) brings leaders and aspiring leaders together from around the world. Through the GLS, many of these leaders gain something far more than leadership insights—they gain a new understanding for what God is inviting them to do (or not do) through their lives. This is what happened when Allen Ersch attended the GLS for the first time in 2016.

When he wrote ‘workaholics’ on the board, I melted to the floor.

Little did Allen realize the impact speakers like Dr. Henry Cloud and John Maxwell would have on his life and the life his family. His world was turned upside down.

When Dr. Cloud got on stage and started talking about different kinds of poor leaders, he called out workaholics, and noted that workaholics are not good leaders. “When he wrote ‘workaholics’ on the board, I melted to the floor,” said Allen. “I had always believed a workaholic was a good trait and I was proud to be one.”

Many leaders like Allen can relate. Growing up, Allen started working at the age of six, helping his dad and grandfather on a farm and various carpentry projects. Working hard became part of his life, and a way to compensate for what he felt were his shortcomings. “Working all the time was rewarding to me,” said Allen. “I felt it gave me value. Secondly, and maybe more importantly, it was a way to hide and run from my shortcomings. As a kid, I was shamed for my weight. So, I worked hard to over-accomplish to cover the embarrassment I felt.”

Working all the time was a way to hide and run from my shortcomings.

After going to business school, Allen joined the National Guard, and returned home to work for his dad again while also starting his own hay hauling business, rarely stopping to rest. The workaholism had gotten so bad, that he even shortened his honeymoon by a day to take a job. “Due to my working literally seven days a week, early morning to late night, I missed out on things with my two boys, didn’t go to parties, weddings, etc.,” said Allen. “Over time, I found we were not invited to many of those anymore. We had no social life. My wife complained about me not being around.”

At a Crossroads

Allen’s expectations were high, and the demands he made on himself and others were off the chart. When Allen was hit hard by Dr. Henry Cloud’s words about being a workaholic, he knew something needed to change. What happened next after the GLS changed his life forever. “When I left GLS the last day at about 5 pm, as I was exiting the parking lot, I had my first decision to make,” Allen explained. “If I took a left, I could go home. If I took a right, I could drive through town to my office.”

Allen turned right toward his office, but as he drove, he felt a nudging in his conscience to turn around and head to his family ranch, about thirty miles away. “I felt God talking to me saying, ‘Take a left and go to the ranch, we need to talk.’” said Allen. “I mentally responded, ‘We can talk at the office.’ So, I kept driving. But there was the nudge again. I ignored it.

What’s exciting now is the freedom I allow myself to do other things.

“At this point, my head was spinning with emotion. At the next intersection, I felt the nudge again, ‘Allen, turn left and go to the ranch. You and I need to talk.’ At that point, I turned left, and my eyes teared up.”

When Allen arrived at the ranch, he drove into the pasture, parked his truck, and left his phone inside. He then headed to a waterhole and started to pray. “I asked God to forgive me,” said Allen. “Then I went walking. I prayed, listened, and asked for God’s help to change.

Allen Ersch sitting at the watering hole on his ranch

“On my way home, I stopped to buy a dozen roses and went to apologize to my wife. And the following week, I sought out a Christian counselor to walk through this with me.”

This experience changed the trajectory of Allen’s life and the life of his family. “I do not spend as much time at the office,” said Allen. “I stay away on most weekends, and people tell me that I seem happier. Someone I work with even said, ‘it is now fun to come to work.’ What’s exciting now is the freedom I allow myself to do other things. I still ranch, but mostly for fun. I still manage the business, but I have released the urge to be a step ahead of my employees. It is a release I needed.”

After the GLS, Allen also decided to pick up John Maxwell’s book, Intentional Living: Living a Life of Significance, which helped him discover his calling. “After feeling my release from having to drive so hard at work, I took John’s book to heart, but I still wasn’t sure what my calling was.”

Finding His Calling

Then Allen got a phone call. “I got a phone call from a Child Protective Service agent,” said Allen. “The agent told me they were going to court the next morning to take two young boys, ages seven months and 23 months old, from their parents and needed a placement for them for a period of one year while the parents try to get their act together. CPS wanted an answer in the next couple hours.

Too often we let our negative experiences in life dictate where we go in the future.

“We knew these two boys but not well. We had tried to help the family handle finances and other affairs, but they were not willing to commit. This call was followed by a call to my wife to see what she thought. I was on board and after a short talk, she was onboard too. Oh, my gosh! We did not know what we were in for. This was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. But here was my calling.

“I want to see those boys grow up to be successful. We still get to see them and I am known as ‘Daddy’ to them. We feel we have an obligation to help guide them to be Christian, responsible adults. I have been undeservingly blessed in my career and have prospered from that. I do not know what God has planned for me, but I am listening for His guidance. We plan to leave a legacy with our finances to help others. In fact, I was so moved when one of my sons told me to give it all away. Other than that, I try to be an encourager, to lift people up and add value to others and I want our legacy to exemplify that. My experience and this story are not about me but too often we let our negative experiences in life dictate where we go in the future.”

The Global Leadership Summit has the opportunity to change your life too. “There is so much you can glean from the many speakers,” says Allen. “Ideas to use at home, work, church, or in your community.”

What might you hear that changes the trajectory of your life? Find out! Get your tickets at GlobalLeadership.org/Summit.