The Church Answers Podcast

Thomas Edison on Leadership – Part 3: The Incredible Lesson of Managed Chaos


Listen Later

Welcome to a special four-part podcast series titled “Thomas Edison on Leadership.” In this series, we’ll explore the surprising and insightful leadership principles of one of history’s most prolific inventors—principles that still speak powerfully to today’s leaders in business, ministry, and innovation.

Thomas Alva Edison (1847–1931) was not only the mind behind the electric light bulb, the phonograph, and motion pictures—he was also the founder of 14 companies, including General Electric. Over the course of his lifetime, he was granted 1,093 patents, a staggering achievement that speaks to both his creativity and his tenacity. But what often goes unnoticed is Edison’s extraordinary ability to lead others, manage chaos, overcome failure, and build an enduring legacy of innovation.

Edison was an incredible leader, a tireless experimenter, and a shrewd entrepreneur. His Menlo Park and later West Orange labs were among the first true innovation hubs, long before the term became common.

In this third episode, we see how Edison saw chaos as necessary — up to a point.

Resources:
  • Chaney & Associates
    • The Church Advisory Podcast
      • Upward Running
        • Thomas Edison on Leadership – Part 1: Understanding the Mind of a Growth Leader
          • Thomas Edison on Leadership – Part 2: How Failures Succeed
            • Thomas Edison on Leadership – Part 4: The Powerful Lesson of Selected Persistence
              • The Hope Initiative
                • Church Answers Membership
                  • FREE Research Report: New Surprising Insights
                  • Episode Sponsor:

                    Lead Your Church. We’ll Handle the Numbers. 

                      • We have decades of experience serving churches across the country. 
                      • We’re church accountants who speak your language and understand your mission.
                      • Gain clear financial insights to guide your ministry decisions with confidence. 
                      • Tailored solutions for churches of every size and stage. 
                      • Smart tools that save time and simplify finances so you can focus on ministry. 
                      • Stewardship matters. Your time is precious. We help with both. 

                        Learn more today at chaneyassociates.com/churchanswers

                         

                        • Introducing Upward Running! Upward Sports’ first step into adult sports is here — and running has never been easier to get “up and running.”
                        • Offer a 5K Challenge: Inspire your congregation and engage your community with a meaningful running ministry. Upward provides:
                          • Tailored training plans to help your runner or walkers move from the couch to completing a 5k.
                          • Access to the new RunClub app for tracking progress and building community.
                          • A fully customizable program that fits your church’s timeline — all led by your run coach who will be fully equipped with the Upward Running materials to lead.
                          • Simple to Start: With just one passionate leader and no facility needed, your church parking lot can become the starting line for life transformation.
                          • Build Stronger Connections: Use running to foster relationships, promote healthy habits, and grow spiritually while expanding your church’s impact.
                          • Upward is Here for You: Ready to bring Upward Running to your church? Visit Upward.org/Runcoach to get started today!
                          • The post Thomas Edison on Leadership – Part 3: The Incredible Lesson of Managed Chaos appeared first on Church Answers.

                            ...more
                            View all episodesView all episodes
                            Download on the App Store

                            The Church Answers PodcastBy The Church Answers Podcast

                            • 4.8
                            • 4.8
                            • 4.8
                            • 4.8
                            • 4.8

                            4.8

                            267 ratings


                            More shows like The Church Answers Podcast

                            View all
                            Breakpoint by Colson Center

                            Breakpoint

                            3,003 Listeners

                            White Horse Inn by Michael Horton, Justin Holcomb, Bob Hiller, Walter R. Strickland II

                            White Horse Inn

                            2,164 Listeners

                            The Briefing with Albert Mohler by R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

                            The Briefing with Albert Mohler

                            8,536 Listeners

                            Rainer on Leadership by Thom Rainer

                            Rainer on Leadership

                            466 Listeners

                            The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast by Art of Leadership Network

                            The Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast

                            2,255 Listeners

                            The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast by Pete Scazzero

                            The Emotionally Healthy Leader Podcast

                            669 Listeners

                            Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast by Life.Church

                            Craig Groeschel Leadership Podcast

                            10,706 Listeners

                            The Unstuck Church Podcast with Amy Anderson by Amy Anderson

                            The Unstuck Church Podcast with Amy Anderson

                            166 Listeners

                            Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks by 9Marks

                            Pastors Talk - A podcast by 9Marks

                            705 Listeners

                            Preachers Talk - A podcast by 9Marks & The Charles Simeon Trust by 9Marks

                            Preachers Talk - A podcast by 9Marks & The Charles Simeon Trust

                            182 Listeners

                            Bible Talk — A podcast by 9Marks & Southern Seminary by 9Marks

                            Bible Talk — A podcast by 9Marks & Southern Seminary

                            769 Listeners

                            Revitalize and Replant by North American Mission Board

                            Revitalize and Replant

                            95 Listeners

                            The Sean McDowell Show by Sean McDowell

                            The Sean McDowell Show

                            202 Listeners

                            Counseling Talk — A podcast by 9Marks by 9Marks

                            Counseling Talk — A podcast by 9Marks

                            113 Listeners

                            The Everyday Pastor by Matt Smethurst, Ligon Duncan

                            The Everyday Pastor

                            72 Listeners