Our brains naturally create a narrative about the behavior of others. When something bad happens—someone cuts us off in traffic, a friend stops reaching out, a coworker takes credit for our work—we instantly assume negative things about the other person. We assume we know his motivation, and we often ascribe ill intent with no real facts.

Recently, I had a great conversation with Krisha Beuhler, VP of Human Resources at BELAY, where we talked about BELAY’s approach to remote and hybrid leadership. They are not only a virtual staffing company—they have been fully remote as a staff since their inception in 2010.

Nobody's perfect. But let’s do everything we can to have men and women of integrity leading our organizations.

I’ve had some great bosses. I’ve also had some really unhealthy bosses. If you work for the same person very long, you’ll find sometimes they are very healthy, and other seasons when they are stressed and unhealthy. I’m sure the same could be said of me.

My longtime friend and mentor, Jack Hamilton joined us to “remind us about some things that you already know,” like Peter in 2 Peter.

Kadi Cole is the founder of Kadi Cole & Company, a leadership development company specializing in equipping individuals and organizations. We sat down for a virtual interview to discuss how to develop female leaders.

In her time with us, Holly shared what she’s learning about the workplace’s newest demographic challenge: the Gen Z employee. Holly, a Millennial, offered her own experience leading the next generation and emphasized the importance of people development in the workplace.

Stop giving experience so much weight. Spend more time developing a culture where leaders can learn and grow and thrive, and then go out and find some leaders—regardless of their experience.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Matt Tresidder, CEO and Co-Founder of Leadr, to discuss the power of the 1:1 meeting, and the mission of Leadr to develop 1M leaders with their people development software.

Ricky is the senior pastor of Southwest Church in Indian Wells, Calif., where he leads a fast-growing community of believers compelled by its vision to be a gospel-centered, multiethnic, intergenerational church that loves discipleship. Ricky focused his time with our members on the leadership “R.I.D.E.,” an acronym inspired by Paul’s remarkable model of leadership presented to us in 2 Timothy.

I want to be relevant well into old age. And I want to do that through pouring into those who have most of their life in front of them. Who’s with me?

Carey Nieuwhof shared about his own experience with burn out and what it looks like to come back from it. We were joined by Jenni Catron, who spoke about the building blocks for organizational success.

Tony Morgan, Founder & Lead Strategist at The Unstuck Group, sat down with me (virtually) for an interview to discuss the Unstuck Church Report and the church trends he has noticed over the past year.

I was so excited when Miguel De La Mora joined our team in February. We invited Miguel on to our team to fill the role of Campus Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, as well as being on our teaching team. As Miguel and I were talking one day, he began to talk about the difference between an owned vision and borrowed vision. It was so good, I asked him if I could unpack it with him via video interview.

We have lost the ability to “agree to disagree.” We have stopped treating people with the dignity that every human being deserves. We don’t seem able to discuss or debate a weighty topic without attacking the person who takes the other position.

Dan Reiland, author, speaker, and executive pastor at 12Stone Church sat down with me (virtually) for an interview to discuss confident leadership. Dan and I have been friends for many years and have even coached together in the past.

Kadi is the founder of Kadi Cole & Company, a leadership development company specializing in equipping individuals and organizations. Kadi presented insights from her books, Find Your Leadership Voice in 90 Days and Developing Female Leaders. She dedicated most of her session to answering many of the tough questions our members had about developing and empowering female leaders in their churches.

I remember when this question was first posed to me about 20 years ago. I had no idea what that meant. I said, “Yes to both.” The expert in front of me said, “Nope, it’s one or the other.” As we began to move into multiple locations at Granger, I began to understand the difference. And now that I’ve worked with hundreds of churches, and am back in the seat of Executive Pastor of Campuses and Culture at Willow Creek – it’s become even more clear.

It was Tuesday morning on a cold day in March 2021. We were gathered in Dave Dummitt’s office for our weekly senior leadership team meeting. Dave came in with an intensity in his eyes.

“Now is the time. We need to put new language to why we exist and what we are about. We need to begin talking with our people about our mission and vision. We can wait no longer.”

I have been close friends with Jenni Catron, Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, for nearly twelve years. Jenni is an exceptional author, speaker, and leader, who has inspired, encouraged, and equipped others for success for over fifteen years.