DLGP

Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspectives: Crafting Ministry in an Interconnected World

Mission Possible

By: on September 4, 2025

This book, ‘How to Have Impossible Conversations,’ by Boghossian and Lindsay provided a good addition to a leadership tool bag for conversations, or communications between the leader(s) and the team members is the life of the organization, or group. Some of the benefits of effective communication in a group are: (a.) transparency that build trust,…

2 responses

They Really are Possible

By: on September 4, 2025

Throughout history, people have disagreed, feuded, and gone to war over being so passionate about being right for whatever the cause might have been. Today, we don’t have to look too far to find news outlets posting violence related stories or social media posts ranting about a political apostacy or passionately fighting over injustices. At…

3 responses

Tactical Grace

By: on September 4, 2025

I was amused to note the number of times Bogossian and Linsay reference using hostage negotiation tactics in How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide. That is because there is a second, much larger conference than we Nazarenes are having in my hotel this week. It is for the Midwest Hostage Negotiators. Every…

4 responses

With Love, All Things are Possible.

By: on September 4, 2025

My European colleague and I have just competed field-testing of a new set of conversation tools with focus groups from Canada and Europe. The project, which sought to lay a foundation for disagreeing well, was developed by a request from the European Evangelical Alliance. Within the Christian community, polarization and extreme views seem to be…

3 responses

Difficult, Crucial and Impossible Conversations

By: on September 4, 2025

This week’s book, How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide by Peter Boghossian and James, is a timely read for many reasons. The book promises to be an instruction manual for conversations with people who want to speak to you when it seems almost impossible to do so.[1] Who can’t relate to the…

3 responses

Bridging the Unbridgeable

By: on September 3, 2025

Standing in line at Baskin-Robbins as a young boy was overwhelming. Thirty-one flavors staring back, and you can only pick one scoop. Reading How to Have Impossible Conversations[1] by Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay feels the same way. The book lays out 36 practical techniques for navigating what they call “impossible conversations”—those exchanges that feel…

3 responses

Leading Through the Impossible: Conversations about Narcissism in Ministry

By: on September 3, 2025

Pastoral ministry is built on conversations, vision-shaping meetings, hallway chats, and late-night calls. Most are life-giving. Some, however, feel impossible. Before addressing the theme of the book, I want to name a concern. In today’s climate, the label “narcissist” is hurled at pastors far too easily. Any leader who shows conviction, confidence,or clarity can quickly…

8 responses

Reframing and Reflecting

By: on September 3, 2025

One of the worst feelings a peaceful person can experience is knowing they are heading into an arena of hostility. A recent meeting concerning the prospective status of a project was held. Layoffs, losses, and an uncertain future were some of the preexisting factors that precipitated this meeting, and those taking part in the conversation…

6 responses

Beyond Debate Toward Understanding

By: on September 3, 2025

Engaging with beliefs that differ greatly from my own is difficult. I vividly recall my first encounters with individuals of a different faith—the debates left me frustrated, and I often replayed them in my head, searching for weaknesses to prepare for next time. Now, as a Christian in a predominantly different-faith environment, I have learned…

3 responses

RARE is not Impossible

By: on September 3, 2025

Reading Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay’s book, How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide, reminded me of hundreds of conversations I have had with my Muslim friends. As a Christian, I believe in absolute truth. I take Jesus literally when he says, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the…

4 responses

“What Were You Thinking?”

By: on September 2, 2025

Human communication is a fascinating thing. We have such an incredible ability, through our words, tone, and body language, to communicate everything from abstract ideas about distant galaxies to deep inner turmoil. I’m also always impressed by human beings and our ability to miscommunicate through assumptions, reactions, and misunderstandings. As a husband, father, and pastor,…

3 responses

A Little Facepalm

By: on September 2, 2025

This week’s reading on conversations seems to flow directly out of last week’s reading of Humble Leadership. The ideas grow together, as one cannot have humble leadership without learning how to navigate difficult conversations around difficult topics. Likewise, it is necessary to engage in difficult conversations with humility and a learning attitude. I especially loved…

2 responses

Navigating Anger—Relational Approach [Mengendalikan Kemarahan]

By: on September 1, 2025

Introduction One component of my job description as a Category Manager is negotiation—specifically, conducting competitive bidding processes that result in contract awards. These negotiations often culminate in selecting the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) bidder, a decision rooted in fairness, compliance, and fiscal responsibility. Yet, despite the objectivity of the process, those who are not…

one response

Taboo Topics and Demonstrating Intellectual Hospitality

By: on September 1, 2025

Based on some of our cohort’s previous posts, I am picturing many of us starting this week’s post off naming the person(s) in our lives whom we cannot have a conversation with regarding certain topics. For many years I have avoided discussing religion and politics with my dad. Over the years, when it comes to…

one response

Thankful for Golden Bridges

By: on September 1, 2025

Some conversations are exceptionally difficult – even impossible. But Peter Boghossian and James Lindsay, authors of How to Have Impossible Conversations: A Very Practical Guide, helped me see that some don’t have to be impossible, but instead can be slow, deliberate, and humble. [1] The authors argue that if we can view ourselves as a…

2 responses

The Power of Interdependence in Leadership: Lessons from Schein, Schein and Tutu

By: on August 29, 2025

In a world that often celebrates individualism and self-made success, Humble Leadership by Edgar H. Schein and Peter A. Schein offers a refreshing and necessary counter-narrative. The authors argue that the future of effective leadership lies not in authority or charisma, but in relationships, openness, and trust—the building blocks of interdependence. This concept is not just theoretical; it’s…

9 responses

Humility and Loyalty

By: on August 29, 2025

More than three decades ago, I was introduced to a profound leadership statement. It said if a leader is out in front and no one is following them, then that leader is simply taking a walk. Throughout my time as a leader, submitting to leadership, learning, and growing, I can honestly attest to this truth.…

12 responses

Leading Myself through Relationship

By: on August 28, 2025

This book, ‘Humble Leadership,’ contains takeaways that can enrich one’s leadership journey as these lessons are harvested and applied diligently. Upon hearing the title without diving into this book, my thoughts dwelled on the idea that this book would address leadership attitude in terms of humility and pride. Well, it did, but more; and even…

10 responses