Ron Edmondson

JANUARY 26, 2023

In this episode of The Ron Edmondson Leadership Podcast Ron and Chandler Vannoy share some unrealistic expectations of a team. We want to create healthy teams. Most leaders have a goal of creating environments where people flourish, visions are accomplished, and the world is a better place because we worked together. But there are some things we simply shouldn’t expect from a team.

Team 65

Team Edmondson Consultative Review 65

Ron Edmondson

DECEMBER 8, 2022

Good leaders know who they are and, perhaps equally important, who they are not. Here’s a little known fact about me: People who know me well might say I am quick-witted and can even be funny. Yet, most people seldom see that side of me. My family knows this about me. Occasionally the people I work with get to see who I really am. Except for occasional bursts of randomness, however, the rest of the world thinks I’m always serious and always thinking about something strategic or purpo

Influence 70

Influence Edmondson Long-term Energy 70

Ron Edmondson

JULY 12, 2022

What is one leadership principle every leader must know? I once received an email: Ron, a question for you. If you had to pass one and only one leadership principle to others leaders, what would that one principle be and why that one? That’s a hard question, because I can think of so many principles of what leadership is – maybe even seven or ten of them.

Leadership 73

Leadership Edmondson Planning 73

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 62

Influence Maturity Planning Cooper 62

Ron Edmondson

APRIL 6, 2022

In this episode of The Ron Edmondson Leadership Podcast Ron and Chandler Vannoy discuss some common tensions of new leaders. New leaders, regardless of the organizational context, face some common tensions. If you understand these, you can better prepare to address them. In this episode, we discuss common tensions of new leaders: We continually hear from many leaders who enjoy these podcasts.

Edmondson 57

Edmondson Review Leadership Positioning 57

Ron Edmondson

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

In an organizational setting, the person I probably drive the craziest in leadership is: Someone who is highly structured and detail-oriented. You see, I’m not. Not at all. I am very big picture, love change, hate rules and run from boxes. People who love structure – the ones who like to know and follow the rules and prefer details clearly defined can get frustrated with me when I am not always great at providing them.

Leadership 65

Leadership Edmondson Learning-by-Doing Team 65

Ron Edmondson

JULY 22, 2021

In my book “ The Mythical Leader ”, I have a whole chapter on introversion – mostly because every time I post about introversion I hear from pastors and church members who talk about how introversion negatively impacts their ministry. I have heard from well-meaning (hopefully well-meaning) people who don’t believe an introverted person can serve effectively as a pastor.

Edmondson 79

Edmondson Cooper Planning Class 79

Ron Edmondson

JULY 14, 2021

In this episode of The Ron Edmondson Leadership Podcast Ron and Chandler Vannoy talk about Harsh Realities Leading Change. Leading change is a part of leadership. You can’t lead without change, but it can be hard. Along the way of leading change – or attempting to – I’ve discovered some harsh realities. If you are amid some “heavy-lifting” change leadership, see if some of these apply to you.

Edmondson 80

Edmondson Review Leadership Positioning 80

Ron Edmondson

MAY 18, 2021

There is something no one is going to tell you about leadership. You will have to learn this one on your own. It is not that they do not want you to know. No one is trying to keep this from you. It isn’t a secret. But it simply comes to you by experience as a leader. Here’s a nugget of wisdom you may need: If you’re a leader, you’ll never get to a point of really being satisfied.

Leadership 58

Leadership Edmondson Content Learning-by-Doing 58

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 31, 2021

I have some suggestions for pastors (or leaders) when they lose a good team member. This post came to me the hard way. It came after hanging out with one of my favorite people I had ever worked with. I hated when we parted ways professionally. Let’s be honest, pastors. When you have great staff people, the team is set and everything is going well, it’s hard when someone leaves.

Team 73

Team Edmondson Planning Quality 73

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 10, 2021

As a leader, I’d almost always rather say “No” than “I don’t know” Don’t misunderstand. I love when a leader admits they don’t know something. I believe every leader has something to learn and one of the best places to learn is from the people we lead. So, say “ I don’t know” when you want your team to share insights and ideas.

Edmondson 52

Edmondson Reference Follow-up Team 52

Ron Edmondson

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

There is a huge leadership lid leaders can never avoid. I have witnessed firsthand. In fact, it’s one that has crippled my leadership in years past. At some point, most leaders will face this one. It’s not insurmountable, but until you overcome it you will stall as a leader. Every time. Here’s the leadership lid leaders can never avoid: Your ability to respond counterintuitively.

Leadership 75

Leadership Consultative Edmondson Travel 75

Ron Edmondson

JANUARY 28, 2021

Sometimes, as the leader, you must address the elephant in the room. If you don’t, you’ll have a hard time leading well moving forward. . The elephant is the issue/person/thing that is obvious to everyone, but no one has done anything about it yet. . Everyone is thinking it, but no one is talking about it – at least out loud. . Years ago, I was serving on a team where there was a consistent idea killer.

Edmondson 61

Edmondson Brainstorming Team Leadership 61

Ron Edmondson

NOVEMBER 9, 2020

I try to always be strategic in leadership. All leadership involves change. You can’t avoid it and lead. Sometimes you can change simply because you have a new idea. I have learned, however, there are some times when leaders must strategically introduce change. There are times the “gut call” comes in handy for a leader. Leaders often must make quick and decisive decisions. 2020 taught us that if nothing else.

Resistance 54

Resistance Strategic Planning Energy Edmondson 54

Ron Edmondson

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

One thing which has always come naturally to me and I love doing is connecting people with similar interests. This skill has served me well as a pastor. I believe one of the best ways within the Body of Christ for “iron to sharpen iron” is to help find common connectors for people. From a strategic, discipleship standpoint, I know people are more likely to be connected to the church if they are connected to other people at deeper levels than simply attending the same church.

Bond 62

Bond Learning-by-Doing Course Edmondson 62

Ron Edmondson

MAY 28, 2020

Some of the most vocal opponents to changes we made in church revitalization were simply rule-followers. That’s huge insight. Don’t miss this. These people liked to know we were obeying the written and approved structure of the church. When we didn’t follow them exactly they objected. Sometimes loudly. Often in ALL CAPS. Let me give you one example.

Committee 49

Committee Objective Follow-up Policies 49

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 31, 2020

I think there are some positives for the church that will come through this Coronavirus crisis. Yes, there are tremendous negatives. The costs are mounting. Almost everything we currently count, other than online engagement, will likely be a loss for weeks and perhaps months to come. Budgets, attendance, and even volunteer hours will likely all be somewhat lower, simply because our routines have been disrupted.

Crisis 79

Crisis Positioning Participative Metrics 79

Ron Edmondson

DECEMBER 11, 2019

As a pastor, I often told our staff that “Christmas is the new Easter”. It wasn’t something I could say as easily on Sunday morning without receiving the ALL CAP Monday morning emails. This requires a bit of an explanation. Easter will always be the most important holiday for believers. Christianity is just a religion without the resurrection of Jesus.

Follow-up 49

Follow-up Long-term Edmondson Retail 49

Ron Edmondson

NOVEMBER 4, 2019

Vision casting can be dangerous for the health of a team. Sometimes vision-casting can destroy an otherwise healthy team. I know that goes against what all the great leadership books and experts say, but it’s true. I have been guilty of this one – many times. The most prolific vision-casters can ruin a good team. Let me explain. Casting a vision is one part of success in an organization.

Edmondson 32

Edmondson Team Planning Motivation 32

Ron Edmondson

AUGUST 19, 2019

Recently I was asked to speak to a local youth leadership program on — well, it makes sense — leadership. That is what they are attempting to learn. I?ve led in the business world, elected office, and now in ministry and on dozens of non-profit boards. Along the way I have observed a few things about leadership. And, some great leaders have appeared along the way.

Advice 37

Advice Long-term Bottom-up Proposal 37

Ron Edmondson

AUGUST 1, 2019

Be aware of the elasticity of your heart. I’ve learned through hard lessons that a stretched heart never returns exactly the same. The Bible says, “ Above all else, guard your heart.” I think part of the reason is that once the heart stretches, it’s changed. Forever. Let’s say you had a dream. You pursued it with passion.

Advice 42

Advice Process Planning 42

Ron Edmondson

MAY 20, 2019

Over 25 years ago, I took a month to read through the book of Jeremiah. Two verses stood out to me then that have continued to produce spiritual growth in my life. The two verses are: Jeremiah 24:7. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Books 41

Books 41

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 13, 2019

Have you ever made a bad decision in leadership? Of course, we all have. It is actually part of the way we grow as leaders. I’ve made many bad decisions in my leadership. Thankfully, the longer I lead, the more I have developed some warning signs I’m about to make another. There are certain clues which help me pinpoint a potential bad move – even before I pull the trigger of decision.

Leadership 39

Leadership Consensus Self-aware Course 39

Ron Edmondson

FEBRUARY 5, 2019

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26). I have a history with birds! Years ago, when God called me into full-time vocational ministry, we literally started over financially. I had to rely on the support of others the first few years and I’ve never been good at asking people for money.

Power 48

Power 48

Ron Edmondson

JANUARY 16, 2019

I have a limited number of seats in an upcoming Senior Pastor’s Next Level Group. Interested in joining me for a group/peer learning experience? After serving as a lead pastor for over 16 years, following over 20 years in business and government, I know first hand the challenges of senior leadership. When I transitioned into the CEO role at Leadership Network, I knew I wanted to keep a close hand in the local church.

Leadership 30

Leadership Finance Commitment Conference 30

Ron Edmondson

JANUARY 15, 2019

I’ve often wished I could say something to every leader. Some things I’ve learned the hard way. I often share things leadership should do, but today I thought I’d share some things not to do. Some things to quit. Here are 7 things every leader needs to quit: Measuring success compared to another’s success. Your leadership will not be like someone else’s leadership.

Resistance 70

Resistance Learning-by-Doing Stress Influence 70

Ron Edmondson

SEPTEMBER 19, 2018

Everyone loves a happy ending. If you follow this blog, you know I’m in a season of transition again. When I got to my previous church someone on the search team asked me to reflect on how best to finish well. I didn’t know if I was the right one to do it, but I have had some experience ending. I’m not sure how well I’ve always done, but I have been intentional.

Exit Strategy 36

Exit Strategy Cooper Delegation Long-term 36

Ron Edmondson

JULY 12, 2018

What fosters team spirit? What makes a healthy team? All of us want to serve on healthy teams. Every good leader I know would want to lead a healthy team. Most of us understand progress towards a vision is more possible if a healthy team is working together. Also, all of us want to go home at night feeling we’ve done our best, we are appreciated for our efforts, and are ready to go at it again tomorrow.

Team 37

Team Objective Construction Goal 37

Ron Edmondson

JUNE 18, 2018

I heard of a very well known band who demanded Skittles and M&M’s in their dressing room prior to the show, but there was always one color, which had to be removed. The color consistently changed. If the band showed up and the requirement wasn’t fulfilled exactly as requested they would pitch a fit. It may sound extreme, and I was also told they did it to test how willing the hosting group was to pay attention to details, but it’s still a little quirky, in my opinion.

Creativity 36

Creativity Project Team Examples 36

Ron Edmondson

APRIL 30, 2018

I encounter many leaders who claim to want delegation to be a part of their leadership. They know the value, but they are often frustrated with the results they receive on delegated projects. As a result, they tend to control the project, which isn’t really delegation, or they simply do everything themselves. A leader may feel they have done their job simply by giving someone an assignment.

Delegation 31

Delegation Benchmarking Project Follow-up 31

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 27, 2018

I was interviewed a few years ago for a leadership podcast. One of the questions took me by surprise. I have been interviewed for podcasts many times, so answers usually come fairly easily. They didn’t this time. At least to this question. The question: What has been your greatest success in life and what did you learn from it? Greatest success?

Succession 35

Succession Bottom-up Learning-by-Doing Commitment 35

Ron Edmondson

MARCH 1, 2018

Never let them see you sweat. Or, so they used to say. Apparently the phrase, “ Never let them see you sweat” came from a 1984 Gillette company deodorant commercial. It’s a great phrase. When I was younger, it was a popular cultural saying. The idea was used for much more than a deodorant. If you want to really be a man – never let them see you sweat.

Bottom-up 52

Bottom-up Follow-up Advice Leadership 52

Ron Edmondson

FEBRUARY 28, 2018

I’ve been an introvert all of my life. I was born that way – or at least I’ve been this way as far as my memory carries me. As a child, I remember at social gatherings people asking me if there was something wrong with me. Because to some people it’s “wrong” to not be talkative. I had to force myself to engage others all through high school.

Definition 53

Definition Project Process Company 53

Ron Edmondson

JANUARY 25, 2018

I have held a senior leadership position for over 20 years and been in leadership over 35 years. In this post, I want to express some things I’ve observed (and experienced) as some of the critical abilities a senior leader must have in order to be most effective. Please understand, I’m not saying you can’t be effective without all of them, or that you have to excel in each of them, or that you won’t stumble in most of them at times.

Delegation 41

Delegation Learning-by-Doing Positioning Organization 41

Ron Edmondson

JANUARY 24, 2018

One of the keys to a successful organization is also one of the riskiest things for a leader to do. . This is some of the hardest advice for me to give other leaders – and, without practice and discipline – one of the hardest for me to incorporate into my leadership. Leader, if you want your organization to thrive, you have to be willing to give your vision away to those you lead.

Reference 34

Reference Advice Organization Operations 34

Ron Edmondson

SEPTEMBER 19, 2017

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. Leading by definition is an active term. It means we are taking people somewhere. And, even the best leaders have periods – even if ever so briefly – even if intentional – when they aren’t necessarily leading anything.

Long-term 44

Long-term Goal System Definition 44

Ron Edmondson

AUGUST 2, 2017

There is one truth about leadership every leader must understand, but is difficult to receive by some leaders. The probability is good you won’t like this truth either. Not everyone will agree with you – or even like you – if you are a leader. That’s hard, isn’t it? All of us – at a certain level – like to be liked.

Leadership 56

Leadership Energy Organization 56