Michael Warden, Leadership Coach

5 Ways Leaders Unintentionally Undermine Trust

Michael Warden — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:04:20 +0000

“Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing.” ~ Saint Augustine As I mentioned in last week’s post, a leader’s blindspots are her worst enemies. After all, its the obstacle you can’t see that’s most likely to take you out. Continuing along the same line, I thought I’d share five common behaviors I see leaders do that [...]

3 Blind Spots That Topple Good Leaders

Michael Warden — Mon, 13 May 2013 15:27:25 +0000

“Mirrors that hide nothing hurt me. But this is the hurt of purging and precious renewal – and these are the mirrors of dangerous grace.” — Walter Wangerin Jr. Through my coaching work with leaders, I’ve uncovered a secret. Here it is: The greatest danger to great leadership isn’t lack of skill, or waning [...]

8 Simple Questions for Discerning When to Say “No”

Michael Warden — Mon, 06 May 2013 21:45:01 +0000

“Don’t be afraid to give up the good to go for the great.” ~John D. Rockefeller What do these have in common? Overwhelm Burn out Fuzzy goals Scope creep In my work with leaders and their teams, I find these are all symptoms of the same root issue: The leader and/or team lacks [...]

5 Signs We’re Entering a New Era

Michael Warden — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:29:03 +0000

“With every step of our lives we enter into the middle of some story which we are certain to misunderstand.” ~ G.K. Chesterton We’re in the middle of a worldview shift across the western world ~ or so says Brian Mclaren, and I am inclined to agree. As with the shift from the Medieval to [...]

The Vital Importance of Learning to be Present

Michael Warden — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:47:08 +0000

“Right now” is the only life you really have. Why not be here while it’s happening? I remember when I was a boy summers seemed to last forever. Each day was like an eternity. My mother would often send me outside after breakfast and I wouldn’t be allowed back in ’till lunch, then out again [...]

A Daily Prayer for Leaders

Michael Warden — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 13:45:51 +0000

(based on Psalm 72) Give me your judgment, O God As a leader under your authority Give me your righteous discernment May I discern your people With your eyes And your afflicted ones With your heart Let my leadership bring peace to all Who live under it And grace to all I serve May my [...]

Good Fuel / Bad Fuel

Michael Warden — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:30:02 +0000

In my coaching work with leaders, you might be surprised to learn that one of the key areas we explore is the leader’s relationship with health & fitness. Though we don’t usually think of developing a fitness regimen as a “spiritual practice,” I’m convinced it is. The reason is simple: You show me a leader [...]

6 Common Shadow Motivations for Leaders

Michael Warden — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:59:42 +0000

“To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life story, the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side I learn who I am and what God’s grace means.” ~ Brennan Manning One of my closest friends serves as a spiritual director for pastors and Christian leaders all around the country. One [...]

Women Leaders: We Need You!

Michael Warden — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:55:55 +0000

I’m excited to welcome back Jenni Catron to the blog this week! Jenni serves as the Executive Director of Cross Point Church in Nashville, TN, where she leads the staff and oversees the ministry of five campuses. She loves a fabulous cup of tea, great books, learning the game of tennis and hanging out with [...]

How to Avoid the Role of Middle Man in Team Conflict

Michael Warden — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 18:03:47 +0000

“A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” ~ Ecclesiastes 4:12 Ever been in this sticky wicket? Joe and Jana are two leaders who report to you. But Jana doesn’t like Joe. She thinks he’s overbearing and condescending in the way he interacts with her. Joe doesn’t know this, of course. She’s never told [...]