Leading at Glow - Episode 5: Authority, Accountability & Communication

Unpacks how we lead under authority, with accountability, and through clear, honouring communication. Encourages leaders to steward trust and create clarity and health in teams.

Transcript

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Episode five, authority, accountability, and communication. Welcome to the final session of Leading at Glow. Over the past four episodes, we've explored what leadership really is, how to carry culture, the importance of character, and how to lead in your specific context. Today, we're finishing with a conversation that every great leader needs to keep coming back to, authority, accountability, and communication. These three words are often misunderstood, underapplied, or just avoided altogether. But when we get them right, they bring freedom, clarity, and unity. Let's go. Part 1. Spiritual authority isn't control, it's covering. Let's start with authority. At GLOW, we believe all authority is given, not taken. Jesus himself said in John 5.30, By myself I can do nothing. I seek not to please myself, but him who sent me. Even Jesus operated under authority. Authority in the kingdom is not about status. It's about responsibility. It's not about having the final say. It's about carrying the spiritual weight for the space God has entrusted to you. You don't lead for power. You lead for people. And that means you protect the space. You steward the team. You represent the heart of the church. It also means you lead under authority. At GLOW, we believe healthy leaders don't just lead boldly. They stay covered. That covering gives you confidence and safety to lead well, make decisions, and walk in alignment with the bigger picture. Part 2. Accountability is a gift, not a threat. Let's talk about accountability. Accountability isn't a checkbox or a catchphrase. It's a lifestyle. And it's not just about avoiding moral failure. It's about staying spiritually sharp, emotionally aware and relationally healthy. Wounds from a friend can be trusted. Proverbs 27.6. Here's how we live it at GLOW. We let others speak into our world. We invite feedback, not just receive it when forced. We ask for input before major decisions. We don't just answer for our leadership. We grow through it. And we don't hide behind our role. We let people see the real us, the process, not just the platform. Ask yourself, who in your life can challenge you? Who knows when you're struggling before it becomes public? Are you leading openly or protecting your image? Accountability isn't control. It's covering. It doesn't weaken you. It strengthens you. Part 3. Communication builds trust. Now let's talk communication. If leadership is influence, communication is the highway that influence travels on. Miscommunication is one of the fastest ways to break trust in a team. And the best leaders at Glow communicate clearly, early and with honour. Here's what that looks like. Say what you mean, kindly but clearly. respond in good time. Don't go dark on people. Don't gossip sideways. Speak to the right person in the right spirit. Don't assume people just know. Clarity builds unity. Ephesians 4 29 reminds us, let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Good communication also means listening. You create space for your team to ask questions, process feedback and speak up without fear or frustration. As a leader, you don't just communicate tasks, you communicate tone and trust. Part four, bringing it all together. So what does all this mean for you? It means if you want to lead well at GLOW, you lead under authority, invite accountability and communicate with clarity and grace. Because leadership isn't about control. It's about stewardship. It's not about being the loudest voice. It's about being the clearest, most consistent and most faith-filled one in the room. People will follow your voice if they trust your posture. Here's your final reflection questions for this series. Who do you need to communicate more clearly with right now? Where do you need to invite fresh accountability? And how are you walking under authority, not just in title but in posture? Take time to sit with those questions this week. And when you're ready, mark your self-certification complete and book in your one-to-one follow-up conversation with your leader. We want to hear what's landing, how you're growing and how we can walk with you. Final note, thank you for showing up. Thank you for carrying the culture and thank you for choosing to lead, not just with skill, but with heart.