Leading From Alignment

By now, most of us thought we would be on the other side of the pandemic. Back to growing, visioning, releasing, discipling, etc. Over the past few weeks, we’ve observed fresh weariness among leaders. A recurring sentiment has been, “when is this going to let up?” Today’s pod unpacks two critical questions every leader must ask and then answer if they want to keep leading effectively during a most challenging season

If the last 13-14 months have revealed anything, it’s our need to revisit the way we disciple. Today we welcome Brian Pruitt back to the Leading From Alignment Podcast for Part Two of a two-part conversation. Brian serves as Outreach & Discipleship Pastor at Saginaw First Assembly. Today’s pod is packed full of practical gems that will get you and your church started down the pathway of more effective/impactful discipleship

If the last 13-14 months have revealed anything, it’s our need to revisit the way we disciple. Today we welcome Brian Pruitt to the Leading From Alignment Podcast for Part One of a two-part conversation. Brian serves as Outreach & Discipleship Pastor at Saginaw First Assembly. Today’s pod is packed full of practical gems that will get you and your church started down the pathway of more effective/impactful discipleship

We’ve heard more than one pastor tell us the reason they overwork is they don’t want to disappoint people. On multiple occasions, Jesus didn’t do what people expected Him to do. And yet the Scriptures tell us He finished His mission. Today’s pod outlines the reasons leaders fear disappointing those they lead, how they can overcome this fear, and why it matters

Most leaders have an innate drive to be successful. The challenge is . . . what is success? In many ways, how we define success defines us . . . our choices, our priorities, our relationships, etc. In today’s pod, Jim & John unpack fresh thoughts about what true success looks like, and how to move toward it as leaders.

Isn’t strange that often when we’re experiencing a season of tremendous growth, we can find ourselves anxious and depressed? On the surface, it doesn’t add up. But when you dig deeper, it’s really not that hard to figure out why. Today’s pod gets personal as John unpacks three critical errors he made during seasons of growth and momentum

One of the more challenging responsibilities of a senior leader is dealing with their team’s performance. Especially when a member of that team is underperforming. Dealing with a staff member’s lack of good outcomes starts with you. Today’s pod will outline a practical pathway to addressing performance issues with your team

Sometimes our compassion for people gets us in trouble. It can fool us into thinking we have to function in every role a hurting person needs to recover. Today we present Part 2 of our conversation with Josh Spurlock, founder of My Counselor Online. In this pod we unpack what Jesus has to say about our responsibility to the people we lead and care for, and how following His example helps us increase our leadership shelf-life.

Welcome to Part 1 of a wonderful, can’t-miss two-part interview with Josh Spurlock, founder of My Counselor Online, a clinically-informed faith-based counseling ministry. Josh's organization comes alongside pastors, missionaries, and their families to hold up their arms as they face the challenges of being on the front lines for the Kingdom. Today in part 1 of our conversation with Josh, we'll explore the subject, The Pastor as a First Responder

Today we wrap up a three-part series of pods on mental and emotional health. Jesus said in Matthew 11 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." For leaders, the rest Jesus promises can prove elusive, and so they often find themselves running on emotional fumes. Today's pod will help you learn how to keep your emotional tank full so you can serve God and others better.

One thing many leaders (especially Christian leaders) don’t know about anger is they have permission to express it properly. If Jesus expressed anger in certain moments, it means we’ll have moments where anger, properly expressed, is right and appropriate. Today' s pod will explore the positive impact assertiveness has on our health

We live in a time where depression, anxiety, and suicide are on a rapid rise in the United States. One of the pillars of mental and emotional well-being is the relationship we with have with ourself. In today’s pod John & Jim unpack why becoming our own best friend matters, and explore four practical behaviors to get us there.

We are delighted to welcome Pastor Chris Brooks once again to the Leading From Alignment Podcast! Chris is the lead pastor of Woodside Bible Church. Part 2 of our conversation with him centers on more of the most important things pastors need to know (and do) in 2021 and beyond. The depth, wisdom, and practicality Chris shares about leadership will strengthen, encourage, and challenge you, and makes Part 2 of our interview with him a can’t miss episode!

We are delighted to welcome Pastor Chris Brooks to the Leading From Alignment Podcast! Chris is the lead pastor of Woodside Bible Church. Part 1 of our conversation with him centers on the most important things pastors need to know (and do) in 2021 and beyond. The depth, wisdom, and practicality Chris shares about leadership will strengthen, encourage, and challenge you, and makes this pod a can’t miss episode!

Some stress is good. Eustress is the good variety. It’s generally short-term and can improve our performance. Distress often depletes our energy. It is usually long-term and actually decreases our performance over time. In today’s pod, John and Jim explore three big ideas and five practical behaviors to take charge of stress before it takes charge of you

2020 . . . the toughest year ever for most of us. And yet, probably the year most of us learned more than we ever have. At the beginning of a New Year, we like to reflect on the year that just ended, and identify the top three lessons the year prior has taught us. In today's pod, John & Jim unpack the three most important things John learned in the goldmine that was 2020

Our special guest once again on the podcast this week is Jenni Catron. Jenni is back for part 2 of her conversation with us regarding the multiple challenges women face in leadership circles. Jenni shares more of the biggest lessons she’s learned along the way as a leader in an often male-dominated world, and how to stay faithful to your God-given calling.

Our special guest on the podcast this week is Jenni Catron. Jenni unpacks her amazing leadership journey with us and speaks powerfully to the multiple challenges women face in leadership circles. Jenni shares with us her biggest lessons learned along the way as a leader in an often male-dominated world, and how to stay faithful to your God-given calling.

2020 has been a bear of a year for everybody . . . especially leaders. Pastors are telling us, “John and Jim, it feels like the struggle has no end to it.” “I’m not sure how much longer I can hang in there.” Today’s pod explores the subject of staying or leaving, and three critical questions to answer before you decide to leave your current assignment

While planning ahead organizationally may not be possible in the same way we’ve historically approached it . . . we can plan personally for 2021. A great personal growth plan starts with asking five questions: What, Why, Who, Where, and When. Today’s pod will unpack each question.

Today’s post is part two of a simple two-step process (simple to understand . . . not so simple to do) that will propel you into healthier thinking and feeling, and will powerfully impact your leadership.

Today’s pod unpacks the first step simple of a two-step process (simple to understand . . . not so simple to do) that will propel you into healthier thinking and feeling, and will powerfully impact your leadership.

If you’re a Jesus-follower who is leading at any level, even when the circumstances swirling around you are inexplicable and stupefying, today’s pod will help you rest in this unshakable truth: You belong to Him. He has you firmly in His grip, and won’t let go

Creating and casting a compelling vision is great, But a compelling vision without an easy to follow playbook leads to frustration. Today’s pod unpacks a simple approach to creating a winning playbook for the organization you lead

Leaders are grieving the loss of what was before the pandemic. Before the national unrest. Some leaders deflect their grief. Others grieve alone because they fear admitting it might be a poor reflection on their leadership. Grief is meant to be shared. Today’s pod unpacks eight stages of grief a leader can expect to go through when he/she experiences organizational loss

Leaders are grieving the loss of what was before the pandemic. Before the national unrest. Some leaders deflect their grief. Others grieve alone because they fear admitting it might be a poor reflection on their leadership. Grief is meant to be shared. Today’s pod explores five baselines that help leaders process organizational loss

COVID-19 has profoundly changed the way we do church. It’s impact on the priority of organizational vision has been profound Today’s pod unpacks why vision matters more than ever, and why leaders need to once again cast a compelling picture of the future.

Your team is the most important asset in the organization you lead. But this is true only when they are engaged. Today’s pod unpacks five powerful things we as leaders can do to increase the level of our team’s engagement at work.

As we find ourselves re-gathering in church, one of the pesky issues many leaders are dealing with is figuring out who is still on board in terms of serving on a team. Today’s pod unpacks practical ways to rebuild the volunteer force in the churches we lead.

God has called leaders to run a marathon . . . not a sprint. In today’s pod, our guest Steve Zarrilli, Executive Pastor at Woodside Bible Church, unpacks a holistic, powerful, and practical approach to helping your team get and stay emotionally healthy

God has called leaders to run a marathon . . . not a sprint. In today’s pod, our guest Steve Zarrilli, Executive Pastor at Woodside Bible Church, unpacks a holistic, powerful, and practical approach to helping your team get and stay emotionally healthy

The increasing complexity of leading in the twenty-first century calls for personal alignment in the life of a leader. Today’s pod explores why alignment matters . . . why you should care. : Bringing a healthier, more aligned, and less anxious version of yourself to the people you lead is the most influential and catalytic behavior you bring to the table.

Today’s pod unpacks five components of personal alignment from John’s new book, Unshakable Leader: The Simple Yet Amazing Power of Alignment. The way through the choppy waters we are all faced with is to bring a healthier, more aligned, less anxious version of ourselves to the mix.

Leading well is hard. Our sense is in the days ahead, it will only get harder. Today’s pod unpacks three big ideas from John’s new book, Unshakable Leader: The Simple Yet Amazing Power of Alignment. The most influential thing we can do as leaders? Bring a more aligned version of ourselves to the table.

Today on the pod we once again welcome Chad Deerman, lead pastor of Faith Alive Church in West Branch, Michigan. Over the past 20 years, Chad has seen the community of believers he leads grow from 19 to over 800 . . . in a town with a population of approximately 2500. Chad shares incredibly impactful insights that will help you lead the church you pastor to its full potential

Today on the pod we welcome Chad Deerman, lead pastor of Faith Alive Church in West Branch, Michigan. Over the past 20 years, Chad has seen the community of believers he leads grow from 19 to over 800 . . . in a town with a population of approximately 2500. Chad shares incredibly impactful insights that will help you lead the church you pastor to its full potential.

With all of the stress leaders are experiencing, the last thing on many of our minds is taking extended time off. Many leaders struggle to really be on vacation even when they do take one. In today’s pod Jim and John unpack five insights about vacation and why leaders need time away from work.

As the stress and strain of COVID-19 lingers on, and the polarization of people seems to be getting worse, some leaders are tossing in the towel. They’ve determined leading is no longer something they want to do. The rate of depression and anxiety among leaders is growing at an alarming rate. Today we’re going to explore four key questions relating to the mental and emotional health of leaders, and unpack helpful (we hope) answers to them.

How easy it is to spot the weeds in a neighbor’s yard while being blind to the dandelions growing in my own? As leaders, how do we take care of our own yard first? We humanoids tend to lash out at others as a protective mechanism that keeps us from having to look at our own shortcomings. Today’s pod explores four safeguards that will keep us from obsessing over the “the speck of sawdust in our brother’s eye while paying no attention to the plank in our own eye.”

We are living and leading through a stretch unlike any other in recent memory. The noise level in churches and businesses has increased substantially. And this noise often finds its way into the social platforms. JP Dorsey, President of Northpoint Bible College in Grand Rapids, MI, joins the pod today to continue the conversation about five markers to consider before hitting “send.”

We are living and leading through a stretch unlike any other in recent memory. The noise level in churches and businesses has increased substantially. And this noise often finds its way into the social platforms. JP Dorsey, President of Northpoint Bible College in Grand Rapids, MI, joins the pod today to talk about five markers to consider before hitting “send.”

Quarantine has forced many churches to set aside its goals for 2020 – at least temporarily. Long range planning has been replaced by short-term planning. As staffs start to reconvene, meet, and get re-engaged with planning for the future, a significant number of leaders are reporting they’re having a hard time focusing for very long. It seems as though their concentration muscles have atrophied. Today’s pod explores four questions, that if we answer them correctly, will help leaders get their teams focused again. To crush their goals without crushing themselves in the process.

What’s it like to be on the other side of you? The answer to that question is a leading indicator of your emotional intelligence level. While the people you lead may or may not care about your intelligence, they do care about your emotional intelligence In today’s pod, we’ll explore four threads of emotional IQ. These four threads of emotional intelligence - self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills - are the makings of amazing leadership

After 3+ months of crisis after crisis, leaders are frazzled and exhausted. Some leaders want to stop leading and start selling ice cream instead. We are seeing the floodgates burst, and a huge uptick in calls to Converge Coaching from leaders who are on the edge of burnout or already there. Today’s pod will explore three behaviors that will help you put more fuel in your emotional tank.

Today we’re delighted to again welcome Jenni Catron to the Leading From Alignment Podcast. Jenni is a leadership coach, author and speaker. Her passion is to lead well and to inspire, equip and encourage others to do the same. Today’s pod is Part 2 of our interview with Jenni, dealing with the subject of The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership. This is a can’t miss podcast!

Over the next couple of weeks on the Leading From Alignment Podcast, we have the privilege of talking with leadership coach, author, and speaker Jenni Catron. In addition to her role as Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, Jenni speaks at conferences and churches nationwide and has written several books including The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership – which she’ll be talking with us about over the next couple of weeks. We’re excited to glean from Jenni’s wisdom on leadership and team culture. Today’s pod is Part 1 of our interview with Jenni, dealing with the subject of The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership.

For many leaders, the idea of needing a mentor signals weakness. The crazy idea that somehow if I admit the need for help, I’m not a strong leader. Nothing could be further from the truth. On today’s pod, we’ll unpack three major benefits a mentor or a coach brings to your leadership life

We can serve God and others better when we’re physically fit. Today’s pod focuses on three key areas that contribute to it: exercise, nutrition, and sleep Leadership is difficult. It requires energy over sustained periods of time, it requires the ability to make tough decisions. Energy and decisiveness can be directly linked to our level of physical fitness.

If you’re out of sync with Jesus, the leadership journey is exponentially more difficult. We can do a lot of good things as a leader and still forget the most important thing . . . love for God. In today’s pod, we’ll unpack four ideas that will deepen our hunger for God, and help us get a better grasp on why we should care.

What happens when things get back to “normal?” When the COVID-19 shelter-in-place restrictions are lifted, what will the churches and businesses we lead look like? What do we need to bring forward from this experience in terms of how we lead in the future? If we go back to business as usual, we’ll have wasted a great opportunity. Today’s pod, part two of a two-part series, will unpack three key foundational stones to bring forward with us from this season of quarantine.