By: Glyn Barrett 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…
By: Daren Jaime 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…
By: Elysse Burns 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…
By: Kari 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…
By: Debbie Owen on September 2, 2025
Words are Windows (or They’re Walls) by Ruth Bebermeyer I feel so sentenced by your words, I feel so judged and sent away, Before I go, I’ve got to know Is that what you mean to say? Before I rise to my defense, Before I speak and hurt or fear, Before I build that wall…
By: Ryan Thorson 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,…
By: Adam Cheney 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…
By: Shela Sullivan 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…
By: Jeff Styer 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…
By: Jennifer Eckert on September 1, 2025
A few months ago, I found myself in a friendly debate with a friend about a controversial topic. Honestly, I don’t fully recall where I was trying to go with my sentiment; I just knew that I was losing my footing. My speech sped up, my responses became choppier, and before I knew it, I…
By: Christy 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…
By: Joel Zantingh 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…
By: Daren Jaime 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.…
By: Noel Liemam 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…
By: Christy on August 28, 2025
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29, NIV). Jesus, the king of the universe, was born in a humble manger and self-described as gentle and humble in heart. Who else can we learn humble leadership…
By: Julie O'Hara on August 28, 2025
In Humble Leadership, Edgar and Peter Shein offer a leadership model and practical application that is relationship-centered and trust-driven. Their proposition is a far cry from where I began my leadership journey. Their insights offered two timely gifts: one, an affirming awareness of how my leadership has evolved; and two, a lens to better understand…
By: Chad Warren on August 28, 2025
This summer, my youngest son and I decided to take on a challenge together: a Lord of the Rings movie marathon. We set aside time across several evenings, pressing “play” and letting ourselves be swept back into Tolkien’s world of hobbits, wizards, and wandering kings. By the time we reached the climactic scenes in The…
By: Diane Tuttle on August 28, 2025
I spent most of my day interviewing candidates for one of our senior leadership positions. In some ways I was excited to see who might become part of the team that cares deeply for the individuals our organization serves and works well collaboratively. Yet it was also exhausting and a bit intimidating. I have probably…
By: Ryan Thorson on August 28, 2025
This first book in our final course on leadership was well timed and helpful in the season of leadership that I’m in. The best analogy I have for this week was feeling like a bucket that was full of water and overflowing, but the hose was still on and pouring water into the bucket. Transitions…
By: Kari on August 28, 2025
“We have had three other foreigners in this position to help us improve quality, but what has been lacking is leadership. We think you can help us. Can you start tomorrow?” I was honored to be offered a high nursing leadership position in an up-and-coming hospital in Nouakchott. The hospital owners aspire to provide the…
