To be an emotionally healthy leader requires many skills, practices, and rhythms. Over the last several weeks, we've explored many relationship skills that are non-negotiable for leaders.  But if there is just ONE skill I'm convinced every leader must master, it's "Incarnational Listening." David Augsberger wrote, “Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person they are almost indistinguishable.”  When you master this relationship skill,  Your spouse and friends will feel seen and heard. Your staff and volunteers will feel like you get them. Your church will experience you as compassionate and present. Your love for others will grow exponentially.  In today's podcast episode, my wife Geri and I share more about the skill of "Incarnational Listening" that is a part of Emotionally Healthy Relationships.   I want to encourage you. This is one of the toughest skills to do well, but when you stick with it, I guarantee you it will change everything.

The One Skill That Will Make or Break Your Life and Leadership

Many pastors and church leaders today feel overwhelmed, exhausted, and frustrated that their churches don’t seem to be making mature disciples. The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast explores the paradigms and practices leaders need to transform their church culture and multiply deeply changed disciples.

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      ✅ How Healthy is Your Leadership? Take this short and free quiz to find out. // https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/leadership-assessment/   ----------------------------  The quality of the people who surround you will determine the success of your leadership. Because there is undeniable loneliness in leadership, it is ever more important that we evaluate our relationships on a regular basis.  Sadly, far too many pastors and leaders choose to go it alone, or surround themselves with foolish counsel (in the form of wrong relationships)  That's why in today's podcast, I explore the five types of relationships you need in your life in order to flourish as a leader or pastor.  Honestly, I wish I had this list 30 years ago. It would have saved me from confusion, foolish decision-making, and unnecessary isolation!      

5 Relationships Every Leader Needs to Flourish

 ✅ FREE EMOTIONAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT: In 15 Minutes, Discover How Emotionally Mature You Are  https://www.emotionallyhealthy.org/mature  ----------------------------  In this episode, we explore a topic that's as old as leadership itself: the loneliness that often accompanies the role of leadership.  From the slowness of change to the weight of difficult decisions, from the sting of criticism to the ache of betrayal, leadership can often feel like a solitary journey. But we can take heart because all throughout the Scriptures leaders have grappled with this very same loneliness.   And yet, loneliness can become destructive when it turns into isolation.    In today's episode, I share 4 critical steps that leaders must take to navigate loneliness while remaining healthy and whole.  

The Loneliness of Leadership

Staying Steadfast Through the Fires of Leadership

A course won't change your church. Neither will a book, a podcast, or a sermon series.  So the question is, how do people truly change?  This is a question every pastor and leader needs to answer. Over the years of my pastoral ministry, and even today, one thing I've noticed is how often we UNDERESTIMATE the personal time, presence, and intentionality it takes to disciple people into transformation in Jesus.  True change is slow because it is relational. Change does not happen on an assembly line.  Over the past several weeks on the podcast, I've shared with you the importance of reclaiming a spacious life - one that is not rushed, crammed, or overscheduled. Many leaders are coming to understand this as it relates to their PERSONAL life and walk with God.  But today I want to share with you about creating spaciousness for OTHERS. I believe it's the secret ingredient our churches need to experience deep communal fruitfulness.

The Secret Ingredient that Unlocks a Radical Church Community

As leaders, we know that PRAYER is the heartbeat of life in Christ. But often, our vision of prayer can become lop-sided, leading to a heavy weight on our shoulders.  For my first 17 years as a Christian, I had a one-dimensional view of prayer. I thought prayer was a tool I was supposed to use to make God's kingdom come. So I would devote 6-8 hours a week in prayer meetings, interceding for revival and believing that unless I prayed, God wouldn't come. I thought that was what Jesus called us to.  But over time I learned to see something different in the prayer life of Jesus. The gospel of Luke highlights a way of being with God that is less about striving and more about attunement.  It is true that prayer DOES require perseverance and devotion, but for reasons different than we think.  In today's podcast we explore the prayer life of Jesus and what that means for us today.

The One Skill That Will Make or Break Your Life and Leadership

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