Nov 13, 2014

Leaders who neglect this discipline pay for it dearly

There is one discipline that no leader can do without but too many try. It is that of developing meaningful relationships with key staff and leaders or people of influence in their organization. For instance, I regularly talk with pastors regarding board members that they are having difficulties with and inevitably there is also an absence of a meaningful relationship.

This is not about lobbying...
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Nov 10, 2014

Characteristics of gracious leaders

I love meeting gracious leaders. There is a quality about them which endears them to both insiders and outsiders alike. They possess a set of important characteristics that all leaders can emulate and learn from. Here are some of the most important.

When they are with you they are focused on the conversation rather than thinking about other things. Being present in the moment when with others is a...
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Nov 10, 2014

Characteristics of gracious leaders

I love meeting gracious leaders. There is a quality about them which endears them to both insiders and outsiders alike. They possess a set of important characteristics that all leaders can emulate and learn from. Here are some of the most important.

When they are with you they are focused on the conversation rather than thinking about other things. Being present in the moment when with others is a...
Read more
Oct 20, 2014

Some reflections on the Mars Hill situation

Those who read this blog regularly know that I am an advocate for healthy pastors, elders and churches. You also know that I regularly explore issues of dishealth because they impact others in a significant way. Like many, I have watched the situation in Seattle with Mars Hill Church and have some reflections on a number of issues it raises.

Reflection: Never give senior leaders a pass on behaviors...
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Oct 02, 2014

I know my leader is unhealthy when...


  • They regularly respond with defensiveness or anger when challenged
  • They discourage open and honest dialogue where people are free to share their minds in a safe atmosphere
  • They threaten those whose opinions are different from theirs
  • They tell one person one thing and another person a different thing
  • They need to be popular and loved
  • They are not fully candid but tend to spin the truth
  • They intimidate or...
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Oct 02, 2014

I know my leader is unhealthy when...


  • They regularly respond with defensiveness or anger when challenged
  • They discourage open and honest dialogue where people are free to share their minds in a safe atmosphere
  • They threaten those whose opinions are different from theirs
  • They tell one person one thing and another person a different thing
  • They need to be popular and loved
  • They are not fully candid but tend to spin the truth
  • They intimidate or...
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Sep 29, 2014

Gag orders in the church. It is responsible for much toxic staff culture.

It is not unusual for me to hear about gag orders by senior leaders or their Executive pastors, effectively telling elders that they cannot talk to church staff and staff that they cannot talk to elders. Usually it is in the name of policy governance which states that the elders have one employee, and that is the senior leader who can manage his staff as he pleases. This is both a misreading of...
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