Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 30, 2023

There’s an important question leaders rarely ask. You’re familiar with the scenario where someone half-jokingly asks for advice for a “friend” Of course, everyone knows the “friend” is actually the person asking the question. Well, that scenario happens in leadership all the time. I call it the question behind the question.

Edmondson 63

Edmondson Advice Follow-up Motivation 63

Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 31, 2023

Do you ever struggle to keep the keep the leaders on your team motivated? How do you motivate a leader? Certainly, you want the maximum potential out of the team. You want their best contributions to your team. Learning how to motivate leaders on your team is a critical step in leading well. It may not be as difficult as you may think. Most leader-types share some common traits.

Motivation 70

Motivation Incentives Edmondson Learning-by-Doing 70

Ron Edmondson

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023

There are different types of people who give anonymous criticism. I’ve been a small business owner, elected official, church planter and church revitalizer. So perhaps I’ve received more than my share. As a leader for over 30 years, I’ve received my share of criticism. It comes with leadership. In my experience, if you aren’t receiving any criticism — you probably aren’t leading.

Edmondson 76

Edmondson Motivation Leadership System 76

Ron Edmondson

JULY 19, 2023

What if you could find more time margin in your work day? How could you fit more activity into an already busy schedule? I’ve learned I have to be intentional to create more time margin in my schedule – to do the things I want to do and the things I need to do. 8 ways to create more time margin: Prioritize your life. What do you value most? Without knowing this we find ourselves chasing after many things that have little value.

Tips 55

Tips Edmondson Planning Efficiency 55

Ron Edmondson

JULY 20, 2023

As a leader, I often read the Bible through a leadership lens. Likewise, some of my best principles of leadership have been inspired by Jesus. There are many leaders I admire who have influenced my own leadership. I love a good leadership book and have read most of the primary authors of them – too many to have a favorite. There are leaders from my personal life such as a former pastor, a former boss, a high school principal and leaders in my own community who have influenced me as I have

Leadership 74

Leadership Leadership Styles Edmondson Influence 74

Ron Edmondson

JULY 5, 2023

I once had a good illustration of leading under pressure. The Story I met a friend at a restaurant for breakfast. The place was normally busy and this seemed like a typical day from the many times I had frequented this restaurant. What was unusual was a new manager I had not seen before. And she was in full stress mode. Apparently, several of her employees hadn’t shown up for work that day.

Examples 55

Examples Leadership Stress Edmondson 55

Ron Edmondson

JUNE 13, 2023

There are many exciting things pastors experience in their work. Pastors get to see the best and worst of life, but in this post I’ll point out some of the more positive. Obviously, seeing someone become a follower of Christ or baptism of a believer, has to rank as a highlight of the pastor’s experience. This is what we are called to do. But that experience isn’t unique to pastors.

Follow-up 63

Follow-up Learning-by-Doing Edmondson Long-term 63

Ron Edmondson

JUNE 14, 2023

Ron – What do you think are some of the most frustrating things pastors experience? This post, and the opposite one before it, ( 7 Exciting Things Pastors Experience ) began when I received this question on my blog. Great question. I decided to first address some of the exciting things but like most jobs, there are frustrating things about the job.

Power 76

Power Edmondson Examples Reputation 76

Ron Edmondson

MAY 8, 2023

Would you like to be more thankful? I mean – like truly appreciate the things you have now. And doesn’t the world need this example from believers? I find at times I am thankful, and at other times, I’m like everyone else. So, I can be a grumbler. Certainly this year could have produced some grumbling tendencies in all of us. What would it take to learn the secret of contentment – to really be thankful all the time?

How To 58

How To Edmondson Learning-by-Doing Content 58

Ron Edmondson

APRIL 27, 2023

I have noticed pastors making mistakes with church finances. When I came into ministry it was after a long business career, so I’m sometimes considered unique in my involvement or interest in our church finances. Therefore, I work closely with our Business Administrator and finance committee on the budget and administration of our church finances. I have been known to negotiate contracts, meet with bankers and I can intelligently analyze financial statements.

Finance 59

Finance Committee Budgeting Edmondson 59

Ron Edmondson

APRIL 11, 2023

There are some statements a leader makes which originate in pride. “Pride goes before destruction…” Proverbs 16:18 We are all capable of pride. Some of us more than others. I’ve learned over the years – mostly from my own personal growth and experience – many times things we may label as our leadership style or personality are actually a leader’s personal battle with pride.

Leadership Styles 62

Leadership Styles Edmondson Motivation Influence 62

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 23, 2023

Great leaders are willing to do hard things. And the hardest always involve people. Yet, in my experience, the toughest decision is almost always the smartest decision. It’s the choice we know we need to make, but it’s the hardest one to make. Truth is every leader I know wants to be liked. They want to limit frustration among the people trying to follow them.

Learning-by-Doing 90

Learning-by-Doing Follow-up Edmondson Long-term 90

Ron Edmondson

FEBRUARY 9, 2023

Leadership doesn’t have to be hard. Through experience I have some simple leadership tips I can assure will make you a better leader. I have a heart for leaders; especially church leaders. I’d love to help others learn from my experience, including my mistakes. In fact, investing in other leaders is a huge motivation for this blog and a lot of my ministry.

Tips 52

Tips Leadership Comparison Learning-by-Doing 52

Ron Edmondson

FEBRUARY 13, 2023

Do you want to attract a leader to your team? Do you want to keep the leaders you have? One thing I learned soon in church revitalization, which I already knew from other experiences, is many times entrepreneurial type leaders disappear when things aren’t working well. People who like big visions don’t hang around when the church is holding on to status quo.

Edmondson 54

Edmondson Energy Creativity CEO 54

Ron Edmondson

JANUARY 24, 2023

I have some default actions in my leadership toolbox. There are a lot of gray issues in leadership. So many times I simply don’t know what to do. I try to lead by consensus building, but even with the strongest teams there will always be decisions about which we just aren’t certain what is the best decision. This is why I like to have some default actions in leadership.

Learning Curve 77

Learning Curve Commitment Consensus Learning-by-Doing 77

Ron Edmondson

DECEMBER 6, 2022

There are common excuses I have heard – and made – when the race gets difficult on the way to the finish line in a race – and in life and leadership. I try to exercise as often as possible. Often my travel schedule makes it more difficult to do everyday, but I know for my personal health and well-being exercise is an important part of life and leadership.

Edmondson 59

Edmondson Travel Creativity Motivation 59

Ron Edmondson

NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Here are 25 leadership nuggets I’ve learned over the years – many of them the hard way: If you know the answer is no, say it now. Don’t give people false hopes for a yes or maybe that isn’t coming. The more a leader says “I”, the less the team will feels like a “we”. Equally, if it’s “my” team then it will always be dependent on “me” Trust is the fuel of healthy relationships and healthy teams.

Leadership 82

Leadership Edmondson Resistance Learning-by-Doing 82

Ron Edmondson

OCTOBER 13, 2022

One of the hardest losses for a leader is when they lose trust with the people they are trying to lead. It’s very hard to regain trust once it’s lost. Sadly, the longer I serve as a leader, the easier it seems to be to lose a follower’s trust. People seem more skeptical of leadership these days than in days past. Therefore, I think it’s important to know what causes us to lose trust with the people we are attempting to lead.

Advice 63

Advice Absenteeism Follow-up Delegation 63

Ron Edmondson

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

As I write this I’m preparing to meet with someone with much more experience in leadership than me. If I had one word to describe him it would be wise. Wisdom is critical to the field of good leadership. Being wise in leadership comes with time and experience. My hope is simply to soak up some of that wisdom during our time together. . All of us can have moments of wisdom.

Leadership 77

Leadership Reputation Learning-by-Doing Planning 77

Ron Edmondson

AUGUST 23, 2022

Do you want to be a part of a healthy team? I have some phrases I use to indicate a healthy team. Do you like simple? This is really simple. In fact, perhaps we’ve made this more complicated than it has to be. I think there are values we can strive to attain which can help make our teams healthy. Let’s be honest, in team dynamics – just as in relationships – there are seasons when things are better than other times.

Team 60

Team Edmondson Diversity System 60

Ron Edmondson

JULY 28, 2022

In over 30 years of leadership experience, I have interviewed and been interviewed for literally hundreds of positions. In retail management I had seasons where I was interviewing multiple people every day. My experience has taught me many in ministry have trouble interviewing well for a ministry position. I decided to offer some advice from the hiring side of the table.

Positioning 58

Positioning Edmondson Retail Learning-by-Doing 58

Ron Edmondson

JULY 11, 2022

I believe a leading reason for stalled growth and low morale in an organization is a controlling leader. Over time, I have developed some theories of how someone becomes one. Under a controlling leader’s watch, leadership development is virtually non-existent. As a result, pride is rampant. Ideas are squashed. Momentum is curtailed. People are miserable.

Long-term 70

Long-term Delegation Edmondson Morale 70

Ron Edmondson

MAY 25, 2022

In this episode of The Ron Edmondson Leadership Podcast Ron and Chandler Vannoy consider how to be a great nonprofit board member. In a previous episode, we talked about common mistakes governing bodies make in their roles. It seems appropriate to address the things effective governing board members do. In this episode, we discuss how to be a great nonprofit board member: Show notes: We continually hear from many leaders who enjoy these podcasts.

Edmondson 58

Edmondson How To Consultative Review 58

Ron Edmondson

MAY 2, 2022

I once consulted with a church struggling to move forward. The pastor had been there a couple years, had a great vision and was supported by most everyone, there were adequate resources, the community needed a healthy church (as all do), but they never could get any traction. I quickly assessed that they needed to create unity in the church in order to move forward.

Influence 61

Influence Maturity Planning Cooper 61

Ron Edmondson

APRIL 28, 2022

I hate disappointing people. Every time I say the word “No”, someone isn’t happy with my answer. Yet, the reality is there are good reasons for a leader to use the word. It is not the dirty word many leaders have made it to be. There are so many requests on a leader’s time. I’m using examples here of ones I receive frequently. “Can you officiate a wedding – this weekend?

Learning-by-Doing 73

Learning-by-Doing Power Maturity Edmondson 73

Ron Edmondson

APRIL 4, 2022

Easter is almost here. I want to remind (or encourage) you to plan now for your post-Easter review. Easter is one of a few times a year churches have a unique opportunity to reach people who do not normally attend their church. Most churches spend weeks and – hopefully – months planning for the weekend. In addition to the normal celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, I love the energy that Easter brings to a church.

Review 66

Review Planning Brainstorming Energy 66

Ron Edmondson

FEBRUARY 23, 2022

In this episode of The Ron Edmondson Leadership Podcast Ron and Chandler Vannoy discuss the primary frustration of some people in leadership today. Yes, leadership is hard. And it is harder today than ever in my career. But there is one primary frustration for leaders today that hasn’t always existed. Or, at least, it exists more today. In this episode, we discuss the primary frustration for leaders today.

Edmondson 66

Edmondson Review Career Leadership 66

Ron Edmondson

JANUARY 3, 2022

Pastor, I am convinced one of the most kingdom-minded things you can do for your church is to lead the church as if you aren’t going to be there next year. (BTW, this may equally apply to other fields of leadership.). Yes, you were probably called there to lead. The church looks to you for that role. But the reality is you don’t know how long you will be there.

Long-term 74

Long-term Edmondson Follow-up Consultative 74

Ron Edmondson

AUGUST 9, 2021

I have learned over the years there is one key indicator I lead a healthy team. I’ve often said good leaders never assume silence means everyone is in agreement. Especially during seasons of change, the leader can’t assume everyone is on board because they aren’t hearing complaints. On one extreme people may feel there will be retribution for stating their opinion.

Team 88

Team Edmondson Cooper Participative 88

Ron Edmondson

JULY 20, 2021

In my experience, it’s easier to hide bad leadership when an organization isn’t growing. However, the more growth that occurs the more bad leadership becomes apparent. Therefore, leaders must grow as the organization grows. . As a leader for the last several decades, I’ve learned my leadership is stretched most when we are growing the fastest.

Organization 75

Organization Edmondson Delegation Leadership Development 75

Ron Edmondson

JULY 15, 2021

Change has changed. Have you noticed? Of course, you have. It’s all around us. You might not have thought about it, but you’ve certainly experienced the result of the way change has changed. I first wrote these thoughts 9 years ago, and they are truer today. Change is constant. Always has been. But, in my opinion, it appears change is unique these days.

Edmondson 82

Edmondson Resistance Magazine Quality 82

Ron Edmondson

JUNE 24, 2021

Being in a leadership position is no guarantee we are leading. Holding the title of leader isn’t an indication one actually leads. I have a whole chapter on this topic in my book The Mythical Leader. There are times, for a variety of reasons, when even the best leaders stop leading, but I think we have indicators when we are not leading intentionally.

Edmondson 71

Edmondson Long-term Goal Definition 71

Ron Edmondson

APRIL 27, 2021

In this episode of The Ron Edmondson Leadership Podcast Ron and Chandler Vannoy talk about 7 Unspoken, Unseen Leadership Traits That Make Leaders Great. There are parts of leadership you won’t read on a job description when they are telling you about the place you will work. There are traits of a leader which are unseen – often unknown. These traits have to be tested and you won’t know the traits are there until the test is complete, but these traits are what prove a leader to be a great leader.

Edmondson 56

Edmondson Leadership Review Positioning 56

Ron Edmondson

APRIL 7, 2021

I have been asked the difference in being a leader of leaders and leading followers. It’s one of my favorite questions. The question ultimately points to a paradigm of leading people by which I try to lead. I know I want to attract and retain leaders on our team. I don’t want a bunch of people waiting for me to make a decision or who fail to take initiative.

Edmondson 44

Edmondson Learning-by-Doing Delegation Team 44

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 29, 2021

There is a Bible passage that often causes a weird emotional response as I read it. Scripture should impact not just our minds, but our emotions. When I read this text there is often a stirring in my stomach. The Scripture reminds me of a few very painful experience in my own leadership and life. It forces me to reconcile again the emotions of betrayal.

Process 75

Process Edmondson Simon Maturity 75

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 8, 2021

I have seen dumping responsibilities on people and calling it delegation. This form of delegation does more harm than good for an organization. It leaves projects undone or completed mediocre at best. It kills employee morale and motivation and it keeps the mission of the organization from reaching its full potential. Healthy delegation achieves the opposite results. .

Delegation 75

Delegation Edmondson Objective Uncertainty 75

Ron Edmondson

FEBRUARY 16, 2021

Being a leader isn’t easy. With every decision a leader makes someone is happy – and someone is not. One often misunderstood reason leadership is challenging is the tension every leader feels when making decisions. In fact, every leader faces some common tensions – everyday. Leaning to balance the tensions of leadership may determine the level of success a leader can sustain.

Edmondson 71

Edmondson Learning-by-Doing Resistance Conference 71