leadership | Craig T. Owens

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Sage Advice (book review)

July 11, 2023 — 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.

I have to be honest with you right up front: It’s nearly impossible for me to be unbiased in this book review. Sage Advice is written by my longtime friend and podcast partner Greg Heeres, and I couldn’t be any more proud of him!

In the 30+ years that I have known Greg, he has become one of my closest confidants. Next to my wife, Greg probably knows more about me than anyone else, and the same can be said for how well I know him. Several years ago, during one of our many heart-storming sessions, he shared a story about something his grandma said to him.

“I love that story,” I told him. “If you’ve got more like that, you should write them down.”

Thankfully, he did!

In fact, he wrote down twenty memorable stories from his grandparents and parents. Each story is intertwined with a practical leadership lesson for all of us. The subtitle of the book is: Listen to wisdom or learn the hard way.

Whether you had parents and grandparents that invested in your life or not, all of us can learn sound wisdom from our elders—from those who have “been there, done that” and care about us enough to share their hard-won wisdom.

Each chapter not only contains the sage advice from Greg’s elders and his leadership lessons that we can all apply, but he also shares interviews with other leaders who have learned the same lesson that each chapter is presenting.

Sage Advice is a delightful read. You will enjoy Greg’s storytelling so much that you may not even realize the leadership lessons that are seeping into your mind. You can pick up a copy of Sage Advice by clicking here.

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

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: autobiography, biography, book review, Craig And Greg Show, Greg Heeres, leadership, memoir, video. 6 Comments »

Links & Quotes

July 8, 2023 — Craig T. Owens

I shared several videos this week while I was on vacation. If you missed any, you can check them out on my YouTube channel.

A good definition of apologetics is found in Acts 17:2-3. We need to share (1) reasons from Scripture, (2) logical explanations, and (3) verifiable evidence. I have written quite a bit on my blog on the topic of apologetics, including several book reviews of apologetics books that you may want to check out.

The Babylon Bee cracks me up! I love this one: “It has been scientifically proven that it’s impossible to know what women want (and we all know you can’t question science). In fact, there is usually a vast discrepancy between what men think women want and what women actually want. You don’t have to despair, because The Babylon Bee is here to provide an invaluable translation to help give men an idea of what a woman really wants.”

“The life we speak over others they will pass on. While it is true that hurting people hurt others, it is just as true that healed people heal others, blessed people bless others, loved people love others, and ‘mercied’ people mercy others—if, that is, they have any sense of gratefulness.” —Dick Brogden, in Proverbs: Amplified and Applied

“The Kingdom of God will be present within us to the extent that we maintain a clean and good conscience. The conscience is the valuing center of the soul. It holds the priorities which serve to clarify and direct both the mind and the heart for Kingdom presence. As thoughts or affections stir in the soul, the conscience reads the Law of God, which is written on the heart and settled in the mind (Romans 2:14-15), and engages the will to act in line with the vision of Christ and the counsel of His Word.” —T.M. Moore

“Value those people who tell you the truth, not just those people who tell you what you want to hear.” —Pat Summitt

Nabataean king Aretas IV is only mentioned once in the Bible, but once again archeology has bolstered the historicity of the biblical reports. Check out this archeological biography of Aretas IV here, and read more about the historicity of the Bible here.

Some people claim those with a biblical worldview and lifestyle are “extremists.” I think this chart (I cannot find the author to give credit on this one) explains it well.

“Life without love isn’t worth anything. Justice without love makes you hard. Intelligence without love makes you cruel. Kindness without love makes you a hypocrite. And faith without love makes you a fanatic.” —Mother Teresa

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: apologetic, archeology, Babylon Bee, biblical history, Book of Acts, Christianity, comedy, Dick Brogden, historicity, leadership, marriage, Mother Teresa, proverbs, quotes, relationships, Romans, T.M. Moore, video, world history. Leave a Comment »

Leaders Serve By Empathizing

July 7, 2023 — 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.

The gauge of a leader’s level of servant leadership is measured by how that leader interacts with their most difficult teammate. Check out this full conversation from The Craig And Greg Show here.

►► 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, empathy, leadership, servant, servant-leadership. Leave a Comment »

Intentionally Balancing

July 6, 2023 — 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.

Leaders are wired to be either naturally confident or naturally humble. God designed each leader that way on purpose, but we still need to put intentional effort into bringing humility to our confidence or confidence to our humility.

Check out some other posts and videos I’ve shared on this important topic here.
This discussion was based on back-to-back chapters in my book Shepherd Leadership. You can find out more and pick up a copy here.

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

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: confidence, God's purpose, humility, leadership, shepherd leadership. Leave a Comment »

Help People Be A Thermostat

July 5, 2023 — 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.

Thermometers are passive, they cannot change a thing. But thermostats can respond to the environment to make change happen. Good coaches help their people learn how to respond. Check out this full conversation from The Craig And Greg Show here.

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

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

Links & Quotes

July 1, 2023 — Craig T. Owens

Some of our best lessons are learned in difficult places, so let’s not be too quick to rush in and soften the blow for someone who has taken a tumble. Check out the full conversation I had with my podcast partner Greg. And be sure to check out all of my videos on my YouTube channel.

“A champion is one who gets up when he can’t.” —Jack Dempsey

Once again, archeological finds in Israel confirm the historicity of the biblical accounts of the kings of Judah and Israel. John Stonestreet shares some of the most recent finds. Jewish archeologist Nelson Gluek states, “It may be stated categorically that no archaeological discovery has ever controverted a biblical reference.”

“The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.” —Jonas Salk

Scott Hubbard writes, “Stepping into leadership means stepping into mistakes, regrets, and many small but stinging failures. And surviving in leadership, I am learning, means stepping upward on those mistakes—owning them, learning from them, and having the stability in Christ to keep leading after them.” Read more about how leaders can fail well.

J. Warner Wallace addresses the claim that all religions are true or are essentially the same.

“The Scriptures represent the Holy Spirit, not only as moving, and occasionally influencing, the saints, but as dwelling in them as His temple, His proper abode, and everlasting dwelling-place. And He is represented as being there so united to the faculties of the soul, that He becomes there a principle or spring of a new nature and life.” —Jonathan Edwards

The Craig And Greg Show: Coach Up

June 29, 2023 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the audio-only version of this podcast by clicking on the player below, or scroll down to watch the video.

There seems to be a belief among some leaders that the louder they yell, the better they’re understood. No need to call anyone out, but we’re sure someone just came to mind. When you received that kind of coaching, did you receive it well? Of course not! Coaching should be focused on correcting and improving for the next time, not berating for things in the past. So tune in, and learn more about how you can coach up.

[0:18] Leadership ideas can come from all over the place.
[1:34] We need to focus on the “up” in our coaching, not just yelling at our teammates.
[3:15] We should coach up with questions instead of statements.
[4:55] The instructions we give before “the game” pay huge dividends in the heat of the moment.
[6:42] Treat mistakes as coaching opportunities.
[7:50] When leaders are coaching up their teammates, they need to focus on tone and timing.
[10:38] We share some additional thoughts about seeing the potential for coaching in our teammates’ mistakes.
[12:27] Every person learns differently so every teammate needs to be coached differently too.
[13:21] I share a memorable story from my time working with the Guys With Ties group.
[16:03] Greg shares an encouraging quote.
[18:03] Coaching takes place outside of the spotlight, so we need to learn the right timing for our coaching.
[22:08] Leaders can’t be the armchair quarterback, but they must trust their teammates who were closer to the action.
[23:59] Coaching up will eliminate most of our HR problems.
[24:44] Greg and I love coaching up, so please get in touch with us if we can help coach you up.

Check out this episode and subscribe on YouTube so you can watch all of the upcoming episodes. You can also listen to our podcast on Spotify and Apple.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: coachability, coaching, Craig And Greg Show, Greg Heeres, leadership, podcast, teammates, timing, video, YouTube. 1 Comment »

A Leader’s Commitment To Lifelong Learning

June 28, 2023 — 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.

Bruce Barton said, “When you’re through changing, you’re through!” I think the same thing could be said about a leader’s learning—when you think you’ve learned it all, your leadership is beginning to crumble.

I never want to get to the place where I think I have “arrived” as a leader, but I want to be humble enough to admit that there are so many things I have yet to learn. Jesus reminded us, “Every student of the Scriptures who becomes a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like someone who brings out new and old treasures from the storeroom” (Matthew 13:52 CEV).

“New and old treasures” tells me that there’s some good stuff we need to protect, and also some good stuff we haven’t yet learned.

A mark of a godly leader is his commitment to being a lifelong learner.

Here are three new things the Holy Spirit has recently taught me:

Acts 6:3 says, “Choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.”

My lesson: The résumé for those that are to be placed in ministry leadership positions should include servant-heartedness, Christlike character, wise experience for the task, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

“This Moses whom they disowned…is the one God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer” (Acts 7:35).

My lesson: When God calls someone His leader, it doesn’t matter if the world calls them disowned. It’s not about popularity with men, but faithfulness to God.

Notice the plural pronoun “they” in 1 Kings 11:33.

My lesson: When King Solomon sinned, he then gave license to the people to follow his example. As the leader goes, so go the people.

I hope you are learning new things every day. In fact, feel free to share in the comments something new you’ve learned.

This is part 73 in my series on godly leadership. You can check out all of my posts in this series by clicking here.

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

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: 1 Kings, Book of Acts, character, Christlike, Gospel of Matthew, Holy Spirit, humility, leadership, lifelong learner, Moses, Solomon, wisdom. 3 Comments »

The Craig And Greg Show: Wait, You Like Meetings Too?

June 15, 2023 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the audio-only version of this podcast by clicking on the player below, or scroll down to watch the video.

Too often we fall into the trap of seeing meetings as perfunctory, tedious, and downright boring to attend. In this episode, Greg and I are here to tell you, we like meetings! If managed correctly, meetings can be an impactful leadership tool that helps grow and bond your team. So set aside any of your preconceived notions, and let us tell you why they think you should embrace opportunities for meetings.

[0:57] We’re robbing ourselves when we just try to “get through” a meeting.
[2:33] Leaders help everyone learn during the meetings.
[4:00] Don’t spring brand new information on your team at the meeting, but help them prepare to contribute ahead of time.
[5:40] There is a value in getting our teams together.
[7:50] Sometimes the best leadership move is to cancel a meeting.
[9:28] How can leaders make meetings more efficient?
[10:42] A leader’s attendance signals the value of the meeting.
[11:23] Greg has a sarcastic quote that makes a great point about meetings.
[12:57] Not every meeting needs to involve every team member.
[14:36] Leaders need to set expectations before the meeting starts.
[16:37] How insecure leaders sabotage meetings.
[19:01] Be conscious of the workloads of those who are invited to your meetings.
[21:47] How do leaders keep people on-topic during meetings?

Check out this episode and subscribe on YouTube so you can watch all of the upcoming episodes. You can also listen to our podcast on Spotify and Apple.

Posted in Uncategorized. Tags: Craig And Greg Show, delegation, Greg Heeres, leadership, podcast, teammates, teamwork, video, YouTube. Leave a Comment »

The Craig And Greg Show: Be A Noticer

June 1, 2023 — Craig T. Owens

Listen to the audio-only version of this podcast by clicking on the player below, or scroll down to watch the video.

When was the last time you noticed your team? Not just on a surface level like saying hello in the hallway, but really truly paying attention to what’s going on with your team. Noticing is easy to do, but it does require you to spend time doing it. It’s impossible to see what your team is doing locked inside your office, so get out there and notice!

[0:17] Kids on the playground demonstrate an important leadership attribute.
[1:43] Leaders sometimes get too engaged in their work—how do we keep this from happening?
[3:48] People are dying to be noticed!
[6:17] What happens when we do or don’t notice the uniqueness of our teammates?
[9:54] Leaders need to know the difference between windows and mirrors.
[13:25] How our teams reciprocate for their leaders who notice them.
[14:45] There are some huge and lasting benefits when leaders create a culture of curiosity.
[17:11] Greg challenges leaders to learn a leadership lesson from Jesus.
[19:20] We need to build noticing into our weekly schedules.
[21:07] One group that all of should notice and celebrate: Our veterans and the family members of fallen vets.

Check out this episode and subscribe on YouTube so you can watch all of the upcoming episodes. You can also listen to our podcast on Spotify and Apple.