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.

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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. ◀︎◀︎

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The Don’ts And Dos Of Leadership

March 4, 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. 

In 2 Timothy 2:22, the apostle Paul puts together two unlikely words: flee and pursue. 

You may think those words are opposites, but actually they are partners in a leader’s effectiveness. Godly leaders have Don’ts and Dos that help them operate at their peak effectiveness. It seems to me that the Don’ts need to be attended to first, which will enable leaders to do the Dos better. 

Or as Paul might say it: Flee the Don’ts to pursue the Dos. 

In vv. 22-26, here is what we learn—

Flee these Don’ts:

  • Don’t pursue merely temporal desires 
  • Don’t engage in foolish arguments about meaningless things 
  • Don’t be quarrelsome 
  • Don’t resent others, even those who are opposing you 

Pursue these Dos: 

  • Do strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace to be more evident in all of your relationships 
  • Do be kind to everyone 
  • Do learn to teach well, especially those who have been taken captive to do the devil’s will 

The Dos require a full-time engagement of my time and energy, allowing me to continually grow in my faith in God and in my leadership acumen. The Don’ts will cause my growth to plateau and then to stagnate. 

A mark of a godly leader is one who knows his Don’ts and Dos. 

So I challenge you: don’t do the Don’ts so that you can do the Dos better, which will then allow your leadership influence to continue to grow. 

This is part 87 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.

P.S. You may also want to read my post I Checked Nothing Off My To Do List Today.

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

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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!

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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. ◀︎◀︎

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The Influence Of Jesus

February 18, 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. 

Leadership is influence. 

Influence doesn’t try to get a following, but people naturally follow a leader who quietly, consistently, and effectively shows up for them. 

Jesus saw the needs of people and was moved by compassion to relieve their distress. Peter said He simply went around doing good (Acts 10:38). He gave value to the overlooked, He touched the so-called untouchable, He embraced the rejected. 

Jesus said, “I didn’t come to be served but to serve and to give My life away” (Mark 10:45).

This commentary from the folks at He Gets Us is spot-on:

   So often our idea of leadership is about asserting dominance and wielding authority; Jesus on the other hand revealed a radically different approach to greatness. 

   Jesus chose a path that seemed almost counterintuitive, especially to many of those around Him. He showed that true influence doesn’t come from throwing your weight around or flexing your authority—it comes from genuine empathy, authentic care, and intentionally seeing people and going toward them. 

   Instead of building a platform or demanding attention, Jesus moved quietly through communities, transforming lives through genuine relationships. 

   He didn’t network with the powerful or chase prestigious connections. 

   He sat with the overlooked. 

   He listened to the ignored. 

   He gave dignity to those society had dismissed. 

   Jesus’ approach to influence and greatness wasn’t about commanding rooms or dominating conversations—it was about creating spaces where others felt seen, heard, and valued, demonstrating great love in those moments. 

   When He had opportunities to grasp power, He chose instead to empower others. 

   His visible leadership wasn’t built on titles or positions, but on authentic relationships He cultivated and the lives He transformed through His genuine care and concern. (‘What is Greatness?’)

True influence loves and serves others like Jesus does. Don’t try to grab the top spot, but grab a towel and serve others. 

I would also humbly recommend that you check out my book Shepherd Leadership, where I explore the leadership of Jesus in greater depth.

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

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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.

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Links & Quotes

February 7, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

Even though this father knew his daughter was dead, he kept walking with Jesus and saw the miracle of resurrection! That’s a great lesson for us: don’t stop praying—keep believing!

I have a lot of new video content on my YouTube channel every week. Please check it out and subscribe so you don’t miss anything.

“Swimming lessons are better than a lifeline to the shore.” —C.S. Lewis 

“If we do not transform our pain, we will most assuredly transmit it.” —Richard Rohr 

“The greatness that Jesus demonstrated wasn’t about performative generosity or how we might want to post our good deeds online for others to see. His was about genuine sacrifice that often went unnoticed and unrecorded. He showed up for people in their darkest moments, gave time He didn’t have to spare, and consistently chose others’ needs over His own comfort. This kind of greatness and love isn’t about grand gestures or viral moments of kindness. It’s about the daily choice to put others first, even when it costs you something valuable.” —‘What is Greatness?’ reading plan on YouVersion 

“[The Trinity] is indeed a fathomless mystery of theology. …. This thing that bewilders the intellect utterly quiets the heart.” —G.K. Chesterton

I have always enjoyed studying nature and discovering the unparalleled genius of our Creator! In a report on the complexities of insect eyes, the Institute for Creation Research noted, “God has designed photoreceptor cells, and others cells within the compound eyes and brains of insects, with the coordinated ability to take on several tasks. With this hawkmoth research, biologists have observed something amazing—individual cells are able to undertake diverse tasks and switch between them.”

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7 Quotes From “Spiritual Leadership”

February 3, 2026 — Craig T. Owens

In my book review of Spiritual Leadership, by Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby, I commented that this book combines two of my favorite topics: Leaders and the Bible. I highlighted so many passages in this book, but here are a few quotes that show that merging of leadership and biblical studies. 

“Spiritual Leadership is moving people on to God’s agenda. … Spiritual leaders cannot produce spiritual change in people; only the Holy Spirit can do that. Yet through the Spirit, God often uses people to bring about spiritual growth in others. … That is the crux of spiritual leadership. Leaders seek to move people on to God’s agenda, all the while being aware that only the Holy Spirit can ultimately accomplish the task.” 

“Spiritual leadership is taking people from where they are to where God wants them to be. Because God’s agenda drives spiritual leaders, it is God, and not the leader, who determines when His will has been accomplished (1 Samuel 15:13–24).” 

“An important truth that is often overlooked is that spiritual leaders can influence all people, not just Christians.” 

“According to the Bible, God is not necessarily looking for leaders, at least not in the sense we might think. He is looking for servants (Isaiah 59:16; Ezekiel 22:30).” 

“It is generally in tumultuous times that people make the greatest difference in their world. The greater the crisis, the greater is the opportunity for leaders to make a difference. Those who complain about their difficulties or shrink from crises prove they are not leaders regardless of whether they hold such an office. But people who recognize the opportunity history affords them and boldly accept the invitation will change their world. … True spiritual leaders do not wring their hands and wistfully recount the better times of days gone by. Genuine leaders understand they have but one life to live and so they expend it with purpose and passion. God placed you on the earth at this particular crossroad in history. You live in a time of great challenges but enormous opportunity.” 

“God has the vision of what He wants to do. God does not ask leaders to dream big dreams for Him or to solve the problems confronting them with their own best thinking. He asks leaders to walk with Him so intimately that when He reveals His agenda they immediately adjust their lives and their organizations to His will and the results bring glory to God.” 

“Leadership development is synonymous with personal development. As leaders grow personally, they increase their ability to lead. As they increase their capability to lead, they enlarge the capacity of their organization to grow. Therefore, the most crucial objective for any leader is personal growth. … The most important thing spiritual leaders do is cultivate their relationship with God (John 15:5; Jeremiah 7:13).” 

More quotes from this amazing book are coming soon, so stay tuned! 

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Vital Leadership Self-Reflective Questions

January 29, 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. 

On the Leading From Alignment podcast, I was discussing my book When Sheep Bite which is about leadership pain. John Opalewski asked me to share some things leaders should consider when they get bit. 

Check out the full conversation I had with John Opalewski and Jim Wiegand. 

On a different podcast, I discussed in more detail the idea in Luke 2:52 about Jesus growing in favor with men. Check out The Pinnacle of a Leader’s Health. 

You can get more information on When Sheep Bite here. And also check out my book of prayer for pastors called Amen Indeed. 

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

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