The Craig And Greg Show: Take Them With You

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In a previous episode we brought you the exciting news that Greg and I are collaborating to write a series of books called Business By The Book. In today’s episode, we revisit the first book in this series—A CEO’s Vision—and discuss how once the vision has been cast the next vital step is to bring your team along with you. 

  • [0:00] Introduction
  • [0:11] I welcome Greg to an exclusive club!
  • [0:49] We show why we think we are over-achievers.
  • [2:00] Leaders need to take others along with them, transitioning from “I” to “we.”
  • [4:39] How do leaders handle the frustration of a slow-moving team?
  • [6:51] How we wrote “Business by the Book” for a CEO who is casting vision.
  • [7:11] The importance a leader going first.
  • [10:53] Be realistic with your team about the challenges ahead.
  • [11:49] How do leaders handle doubts or questions from their teammates?
  • [14:37] Leaders need to know the pitfalls of casting vision.
  • [16:59] Watch out for the things that will distract from your vision!
  • [20:25] The courage to take the first step is vital.
  • [22:03] Leaders need to help the stragglers catch up with everyone else on the team.
  • [23:23] The last crucial step is for leaders to move forward confidently.
  • [24:31] Maximize Leadership has a lot of resources to help you on your leadership journey.

Check out my blog, my other podcasts, my books, and so much more at http://linktr.ee/craigtowens 

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Links & Quotes

When the Holy Spirit shines His light on a biblical promise, and you turn that into a prayer, write it down! You may need to go back to this again and again. When God answers your prayer, write it down again! This can become a testimony journal that you and others can use to recall God’s provision. 

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.

“The pathway to maturity and to solid biblical food is not first becoming an intelligent person, but becoming an obedient person.” —John Piper 

“Somehow or other an extraordinary idea has arisen that the disbelievers in miracles consider them coldly and fairly, while believers in miracles accept them only in connection with some dogma. The fact is quite the other way. The believers in miracles accept them (rightly or wrongly) because they have evidence for them. The disbelievers in miracles deny them (rightly or wrongly) because they have a doctrine against them.” —G.K. Chesterton 

“At every moment, we always have a choice, even if it feels as if we don’t. Sometimes that choice may simply be to think a more positive thought.” —Tina Turner 

Every day should be a day of thanksgiving!

“We are strangers on Earth; our homeland is in Heaven. Our walk is here; our hearts are there.” —Dr. Henry Halley

Did Jesus “confess” He was God? J. Warner Wallace says He did, but not as some people define the word “confession.” 

I have already shared the first two posts in the latest archeological research on the biblical city of Jericho. Here is part three.

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.” —Pelé 

“The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one who gets people to do the greatest things.” —Ronald Reagan 

Eliminating Toxicity

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

On an episode of The Craig and Greg Show, Greg and I discussed some toxic behaviors that can creep into your workplace and cause major discord. Two attitudes to watch out for are confidence without humility, and humility without confidence. 

Check out this full Craig and Greg Show episode here. 

And check out my Shepherd Leadership book where I dive into this topic in greater depth. 

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

The Craig And Greg Show: Leadership Lessons From Veterans

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

The entire Maximize team loves our veterans! Those that volunteer to serve and protect our nation deserve our utmost respect, and we honor their sacrifice. In today’s episode Greg and I discuss the leadership lessons we have learned from veterans—some directly and others by simply observing the way our nation’s protectors conduct themselves. Join us as we salute the contributions of veterans!

  • [0:00] Introduction 
  • [0:15] One of our favorite days of the year
  • [1:08] Leadership lesson #1 from veterans: Sacrifice
  • [2:28] Leadership lesson #2: Selflessness
  • [4:12] Leadership lesson #3: Camaraderie
  • [5:33] Leadership lesson #4: Organization in planning and training
  • [8:52] Leadership lesson #5: Emotionally invested
  • [9:31] Leadership lesson #6: Training in action
  • [11:18] Leadership lesson #7: Communication skills
  • [12:53] Leadership lesson #8: A bigger cause—a heritage of service
  • [15:41] Leadership lesson #9: A visible leadership style
  • [17:27] Greg’s salute to veterans
  • [19:02] Our challenge to our audience

Links & Quotes

When you are waiting for God to fulfill His promise, keep watching with a smile. Let your childlike trust become your testimony as you entrust yourself to your heavenly Father.

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.

“The case for the reliability of the New Testament Gospel eyewitness accounts is dependent on the trustworthiness of its authors. In cold-case criminal trials, eyewitness accounts are typically evaluated through the lens four critical questions.” J. Warner Wallace then gives a succinct overview of each of these four questions and the evidence supporting them.

“One can sometimes do good by being the right person in the wrong place.” —G.K. Chesterton 

“A great leader never sets himself above his followers except in carrying responsibility.” —Jules Ormont 

“There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem, and a concerned person solves a problem.” —Harold Stephens

Personal Vision Comes First

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

Before a leader can cast a compelling vision for an organization, he or she has to be living a compelling personal vision. Greg and I explain why this is an indispensable first step. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/bqnLzYp4VN8?feature=share

This clip is from an episode of The Craig and Greg Show where we are discussing the first book in our new series of books called Business by the Book. The first book is What the Bible says about a CEO’s vision-casting. 

Check out my other podcasts, my books, and so much more by clicking here.

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

Links & Quotes

We have a culture where respect for others is eroding quickly. The Bible makes it clear that reverence for God results in respect for people, and respect for people helps us reverence the God who created them.

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.

AI models can develop brain rot just as assuredly as humans can. You are what you consume!

“The real great man is the man who makes every man feel great.” —G.K. Chesterton

Dr. Louis A. Markos has an insightful article on the works of C.S. Lewis that help us learn how to stay human. “Christians today who are committed to restoring a proper view of man have an ally in the greatest apologist of the twentieth century, C.S. Lewis (1898–1963). Though Lewis offers much help in his best-known apologetics books (Mere Christianity, The Problem of Pain, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce) and his beloved Chronicles of Narnia, we would do well to expand our reading of Lewis to include his searing critique of modern educational philosophy (The Abolition of Man) and his anthropologically incisive science fiction novels, The Ransom (or Cosmic) Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, That Hideous Strength.

The ICR has an article about a fascinating new dinosaur that was unearthed. “Even now in the twenty-first century, paleontologists are still at a loss as to the origin of the dinosaurs. As recently as 2024, five evolutionists stated, ‘Today, inspired by clues from fossils and footprints from a lost world, scientists continue to piece together the puzzle of how various dinosaur groups arose, behaved, and diversified.’ In contrast, the creation model argues that all dinosaur kinds were created during the same period—specifically on Day 6 of the creation week—several thousand years ago. From this perspective, the lack of definitive transitional forms or ancestral precursors in the fossil record aligns with the expectation that dinosaur kinds appeared fully formed and distinct, as observed in the fossil record.”

Axis’ Culture Translator discusses an article posted in Harper’s: “Many have written about how porn warps the expectations users have for relationships; this article demonstrates that, for young men in particular, pornography is often willingly embraced as a complete replacement for human connection. … Woven throughout this subculture is also conscious self-degradation; as the Harper’s article points out, ‘ruin your mind,’ ‘go deeper,’ and ‘give up on life’ are embraced as the movement’s rallying cries. Many young men and women are trapped in this spiritual prison, convinced there is nothing better to live for. Who will show them the way out?” Two helpful resources are Fight The New Drug and Pure Desire.

Leaders need to learn that disagreement on your team is normal and can be healthy. Disagreement doesn’t mean people distrust their leader, but it may mean that they want the bring out the best in their leader. Check out the full conversation Greg and I had on this subject.

The Craig And Greg Show: Disagreeing Is Not Disagreeable

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

We can all agree that disagreeable people are some of the hardest to work with, constantly shooting down ideas without providing anything constructive in return. These types of people can quickly put a strain on any organization if left unchecked. However, we need to be careful not to lump disagreement into the category of disagreeable. In this episode Greg and I discuss why people in disagreement are actually the exact opposite of disagreeable, and are a valuable asset to your organization.

  • [0:00] Introduction 
  • [1:02] A strong quote about “no men” from Dick Brogden—“Strong leaders respect and need ‘no’ men. It is weak leaders who surround themselves with the ever agreeable. Unity requires honorable disagreement. Otherwise, you don’t have unity; you just have uniformity.”
  • [2:06] Disagreeing people are not necessarily troublemakers.
  • [2:59] What bothers me about disagreeable people?
  • [3:49] Opinions vs facts have to be considered to determine if someone is disagreeable vs disagreeing.
  • [4:36] Leaders are required to listen more to people who disagree with them.
  • [7:00] Many new leaders mistakenly treat disagreeable people as an enemy.
  • [8:44] Greg and I share how we misunderstood disagreeing people early on in our leadership journey.
  • [11:04] Leaders need some thoughtful boundaries for disagreeable people.
  • [13:28] How many times do we call someone disagreeable when they are simply disagreeing with us?
  • [15:53] Make sure disagreeable people don’t dominate the conversation in meetings.
  • [16:48] I apply a proverb from the Bible to disagreeing people.
  • [18:35] Leaders need to guard against defensiveness when people disagree with them.
  • [19:52] Greg shares a great quote to wrap up our discussion.
  • [20:36] A leadership coach can help you sort out the disagreeing from the disagreeable.

My book When Sheep Bite is a great resource for dealing with people who are disagreeing to the point of becoming disagreeable. Check it out!

Links & Quotes

As I was studying the Book of Jude, I came across this phrase, “Though you already know all this, I want to remind you.” This prompted these three quick thoughts that I want to share with my fellow pastors.

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.

Using the words from Isaiah 40:10-11, Sarah Young has Jesus speaking these words to us: “Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what.”

Ken Blanchard has long used a challenge for leaders to catch their teammates doing something right. That phrase has now become the title of a biography about Ken. He says, “Great leaders who want to encourage and motivate their people set up a positive cycle:

  1. A great leader catches someone doing something right and praises them. 
  2. The leader’s praise helps the person feel good about themselves. 
  3. People who feel good about themselves produce good results. 
  4. A great leader notices when people produce good results. 
  5. See #1.”

This is a very encouraging read for men! Scott Hubbard writes, “You may not have ability for preaching and teaching, as Timothy did. But the Holy Spirit does not leave any Christian giftless. … You may have a small vision for your life; God does not.”

An amazing series from T.M. Moore on the law in a Kingdom economy. T.M. writes, “Christians don’t keep the Law to be saved; we keep it because we are saved, because it is the path that Jesus walked (1 John 2:1-6); and we recognize its value for helping us realize more of the life of holy, righteous, and good works for which we have been redeemed (Romans 7:12; Ephesians 2:8-10).” 

Geologists have discovered what Creationists already proposed about plate tectonics related to the Flood described in the Bible. “Flood geologists have predicted that plate motion slowed at the end of the Flood year, and now conventional scientists are finding it to be true.”

The Assemblies of God has always responded to popular religious trends with solid biblical exegesis. The “latter day rain” movement in the 1940s is a good example.

“Mature leaders swallow their egos and recognize God as their power source. They walk confidently in His authority, but never assume credit for it. Faith enables them to stretch, while humility enables them to stoop.” —John Maxwell

Micromanagement Stifles Creativity

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

Leaders have an important balancing act to perform every day: remaining in control of their organization without becoming a controlling leader. Over-controlling leaders who micromanage end up stifling creativity that could be unleashed in their teammates. 

Check out the full conversation on The Craig and Greg Show episode The Balance of Control. 

Here’s that quote I shared from Tim Irwin’s book Derailed: “Lack of courage shows up in many organizations as micromanagement, failure to empower others, risk aversion, overcontrol, and perfectionism.”