Craig And Greg Show | Craig T. Owens

April 2026
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The Craig And Greg Show: Growth From The Hard Road

April 16, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

Think back to some of the hard times you’ve been through. Do those times conjure up fond memories and a longing to return to yesteryear? Of course not! Most people do their best to forget these moments as quickly as possible, but a mature leader recognizes the value of the suffering they’ve endured. Join us for today’s episode as we discuss how your most painful moments have the potential to be your biggest opportunities for growth.

[0:00] Introduction
[0:16] During this episode you might be saying, “I don’t want to go there!”
[2:03] Growth comes from switching from, “How do I get out of this?” to “What can I get out of this?”
[3:08] Why do we avoid that painful lessons that could help us grow?
[4:53] Greg shares about a learning experience from his football career.
[6:13] My rough season led to a book called When Sheep Bite.
[8:15] We have to practice learning in difficult seasons.
[10:00] Pain can show us what needs to be changed to realize growth opportunities.
[13:02] Greg asks me what is one thing that held me back from learning from adversity.
[14:55] Greg shares what held him back earlier in his leadership journey.
[16:52] I have learned an important first response in difficult times.
[18:53] Sometimes we need an outside mentor to help us see where we’re struggling.
[22:00] “Your hardest times often lead to some of your greatest moments.”
[22:49] Here’s how Maximize Leadership can help you navigate your hard roads.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: adversity, Craig And Greg Show, difficulties, lesson, lifelong learner, trials, video, When Sheep Bite. Leave a Comment »

The Craig And Greg Show: Emotional Quotient

April 1, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

Are you in touch with your emotions? While it might sound like something out of a Hallmark movie to some, having a robust emotional quotient is a vital skill for a leader. Join Greg and me as we get all emotional in this episode.

[0:32] There is something more important than IQ, and that’s EQ.
[1:51] Is EQ innate or is it learned?
[4:08] Is EQ a hard skill or a soft skill? How do we measure EQ?
[5:37] EQ is not necessarily emotional regulation, although it is an important component of EQ.
[6:36] Some thoughts on how we can grow our EQ.
[8:07] Humility is absolutely essential to growing in EQ.
[11:27] Leaders who strive to put others first can grow in EQ.
[15:01] We have to get better at truly seeing people and knowing where they are emotionally.
[16:40] Leaders have to be aware of their own emotional state.
[17:31] It’s invaluable to have a third-party who isn’t emotionally invested in your situation come alongside you to give you perspective.
[18:26] Mentors can help us see ourselves more clearly, which helps us see others more clearly.
[21:30] Leaders need to remember that people are no machines, so we cannot think of them in terms of efficiency.
[23:14] Greg and I share examples of people who taught us how to be more aware of our emotional interactions with people.
[27:05] People want to know that leaders see them and hear them. Remembering this will help leaders grow their EQ.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Craig And Greg Show, emotional health, emotional intelligence, empathy, leadership, video. 1 Comment »

The Craig And Greg Show: Don’t Be A Poser

March 12, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

Everyone wants to fit in—it’s an entirely natural human instinct to desire the approval of those around you. However, when this instinct causes us to change who we are it can become very destructive to us both personally and professionally. In today’s episode Greg and I discuss how being a poser is a sneaky leadership killer that can creep in without you even noticing.

[0:00] Introduction
[1:38] Posing is a leadership killer that might not be obvious to a leader.
[2:52] Why would a leader think they have to pose in front of certain groups?
[5:38] Leaders need to be cautious of thinking, “I have to fit in. I have to be liked by this group.”
[7:31] Posing isn’t changing a style of communication.
[8:26] Being misunderstood is very difficult for everyone, but we cannot fall into the posing trap in order to try to be understood.
[10:30] Our teams need to know what to expect from us.
[11:48] How does posing limit leadership effectiveness? How does authenticity launch a team?
[15:15] Posing leaders force their teams to think inside-the-box.
[16:54] Authentic leaders want to hire authentic team members to promote an authentic culture.
[19:40] Leaders need to be confident to be authentic, and that authenticity is incredibly freeing!
[23:40] Coaches who listen and observe and can help you spot the hidden areas of posing. Check out the Maximize Leadership coaching services.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: authenticity, blind spots, Craig And Greg Show, culture, leadership, thought life, video. Leave a Comment »

Intentional Habits

March 6, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

Consistent leaders are exemplary leaders, but consistency doesn’t happen automatically. Effective leadership of others starts with effective leadership of yourself.

Check out the full conversation Greg and I had about leadership consistency.

You may also want to check out a couple of related posts:

And I take several chapters in my book Shepherd Leadership talking about the habit that are necessary for us to excel in our ministry positions.

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Craig And Greg Show, habits, leadership, video. Leave a Comment »

The Craig And Greg Show: Consistency Strengthens Leaders

February 26, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

Like many popular phrases in the lexicon you’ve probably heard “consistency is key” thousands of times and rarely given it a second thought, but Greg and I want to challenge you to revisit this vital area. In today’s episode we discuss how an intentional focus on consistency will make you a better leader—which in turn will make your team more effective and productive.

[0:00] Intro
[0:30] People naturally gravitate towards certainty.
[1:20] One of a leader’s biggest goals should be to be consistent for their team.
[2:29] Greg discusses how an inconsistent leader can derail an organization.
[3:50] What is the message to your team when you’re not consistent?
[5:05] We use non-business examples to highlight the importance of consistency.
[6:44] Consistency takes effort and intentionality.
[9:03] What are people looking for from their leader to be consistent?
[10:53] Greg shares a quote from Aristotle.
[12:46] Excellence isn’t just “a habit,” it is an intentional choice of habits.
[17:42] Protect your spirit.
[18:26] I reveal what has made me the most consistent.
[22:41] Greg and I want you to be more successfully consistent as well!

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: consistency, Craig And Greg Show, Greg Heeres, leadership, video. 1 Comment »

Loving, Truthful, And Calm

February 19, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

Greg and I took some time to discuss some of the best traits we’ve experienced in some memorable leaders in our work careers. Three traits are linked together in a powerful combination.

Check out the full conversation we had on Memorable Leaders.

You may also want to check out a blog post and video I shared previously called “Speak the Truth in Love.”

And speaking of leadership models, my book Shepherd Leadership calls us back to the leadership model that is most consistently used throughout the Bible.

►► Would you please prayerfully consider supporting this ministry? My Patreon supporters get behind-the-scenes access to exclusive materials. ◀︎◀︎

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Craig And Greg Show, leadership, love others, memories, video. Leave a Comment »

The Craig And Greg Show: Memorable Leaders

February 12, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

What do you want people to remember about your leadership? It’s an easy question to overlook, but striving to be remembered well can help you to be a better leader every day. In today’s episode Greg and I discuss the attributes of a memorable leader and reminisce about past leaders in our lives.

[0:00] Introduction
[0:42] Here’s a really important leadership question to contemplate about your legacy.
[1:53] Memorable leaders give us freedom to use our gifting.
[3:48] We debate going negative.
[4:07] Memorable leaders believe in us.
[7:10] Memorable leaders are calm in turbulent times.
[8:16] Memorable leaders love us enough to tell us the truth.
[10:20] Memorable leaders show us a preferable end goal.
[11:22] Memorable leaders are complimentary.
[12:46] Memorable leaders let us take the victory lap for the wins, but they take the blame for the losses.
[13:29] Memorable leaders give us grace for second chances.
[15:16] What’s one word we would like on our epitaph?
[17:59] Memorable leaders have an abundance mindset.
[18:41] How do you start becoming a memorable leader today?
[22:14] People are watching how you, as a leader, treat others.
[22:53] The value of a coach is so impactful for leaders who want to become more memorable.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Craig And Greg Show, Greg Heeres, humility, leadership, legacy, memories, video. 1 Comment »

The Craig And Greg Show: Surviving The Trenches

January 15, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

Sales is a battle! While there (hopefully) isn’t any real bullets flying, the stress and exhaustion can make it feel like there is at times. To stay in the fight and avoid defeat in these situations you need preparation and planning. This is where Greg’s new book Sales Armageddon comes in. Here is a sneak peek of a couple of chapters in this entertaining and educational book.

[0:00] Introduction
[0:22] I have a great gift idea for all sales professionals—Greg’s newest book called Sales Armageddon.
[1:00] This book has a bunch of interesting characters that are based on real people.
[2:24] Greg and I unwrap a couple of chapters in this book. First of all, the chapter entitled “Aggressively waiting for the phone to ring.”
[6:47] The subtitle of this book is: Prepare and practices sales differently, or perish!
[7:30] Greg shares some traps that can be keeping some sales professionals in a slump.
[10:10] I put Greg on the spot with something not in his book: How do sales professionals distinguish themselves when they first contact their prospects?
[15:38] Some of the added features in Sales Armageddon.
[16:02] Another chapter we discuss is “The Know-It-All.”
[21:21] Every chapter of this book stands alone, and you can learn something that will help you learn new sales skills.
[22:24] There is great value in getting a coach outside of your organization.
[22:51] Greg has some great keynote addresses that he provides for sales and leadership professionals.

I also have a new book out for ministry leaders called Amen Indeed.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: author, Craig And Greg Show, leadership, sales, video. Leave a Comment »

Don’t Get Distracted

January 2, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.

One of a leader’s most important jobs is guiding the vision of their organization. Much has been said about getting others to follow that vision, and in our most recent episode Greg and I talked about being careful to stay true to the vision you have set.

You can watch this full episode of The Craig and Greg Show here.

The first book in our Business by the Book series is on a CEO’s vision casting. This will be available soon. In the meantime, check out some other leadership resources from Greg and me: