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.
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.
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?’)
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.
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!
“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.”
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!
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.
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 Bitehere. And also check out my book of prayer for pastors called Amen Indeed.
Listen to the podcast of this post by clicking on the player below, and you can also subscribe on Apple, Spotify, or Audible.
Two of my favorite topics—leadership and biblical studies—merge beautifully in Spiritual Leadership by Henry Blackaby and Richard Blackaby.
Of course, I believe the Bible is the ultimate leadership guide, but I also recognize how many leadership authors have expounded on and then applied biblical principles in their leadership lectures and books. In Spiritual Leadership, the Blackaby father-and-son team moves seamlessly from biblical examples, to contemporary leadership quotes, to the latest research, and right back to the lessons found in Scripture. I loved it!
The authors note, “People know intuitively that claiming to be a leader or holding a leadership position does not make someone a leader. People are warily looking for leaders they can trust.” I believe this trust must come from a leader’s solid foundation of morality and competency. Spiritual Leadership doesn’t claim to be the go-to resource to build this leadership foundation, but I think any thoughtful reader will see that God’s principles for leadership put that foundation in place and give leaders a filter to judge the usefulness of all other leadership books.
Speaking of other leadership books, the Blackabys have extensively footnoted all of their source materials, so whether you want to read the biblical passages that they are referencing or dive deeper into the research they share, you will have an ample catalogue right at your fingertips.
Whether you are an emerging leader or a veteran leader, you are still a leader-in-training. I would highly recommend including this book as part of your ongoing leadership development.
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.
Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:8-9)
✅ Open your mouth to speak up for others who don’t have a voice.
If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth. (Proverbs 30:32)
🚫 Close your mouth to evil words or if you are trying to promote yourself.
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:
Craig T. Owens 