[S3EP16] 12 Leadership Lessons I Learned This Year (That Changed Everything) Artwork

The LeadingSmart Podcast

Honest conversations. Practical insights. Smarter leadership.

Hosted by Tim Stevens and Holly Tate, The LeadingSmart Podcast exists to equip church leaders who care deeply about leading with integrity, clarity, and wisdom—even when it’s hard.

We are officially on Season 3! This season is about staying sharp in today’s rapidly changing environment. We’ll dive into the practical issues leaders are facing right now—from running effective executive team meetings to navigating crucial conversations to leading in moments when the playbook doesn’t exist yet.

Holly and Tim are moving out of the studio into our offices, and they will be recording and posting in real time, responding to current events as they happen, sharing fresh insights from our work with leaders across North America.

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The LeadingSmart Podcast

[S3EP16] 12 Leadership Lessons I Learned This Year (That Changed Everything)

March 16, 2026 • Tim Stevens • Season 3 • Episode 16

0:00 | 34:19

Welcome back to episode 16! Tim and Holly reflect on a year of unexpected transitions, courageous leadership, and the lessons that often only come through real-time experience.

As Holly approaches the one-year mark of relaunching The Ready Network, she shares a reflection called “12 Lessons in 12 Months.” What began as a simple exercise in reflection turned into a meaningful conversation about leadership, resilience, and what it takes to move forward when the future isn’t fully clear.

Together, Tim and Holly unpack several of the lessons that shaped the past year—from navigating uncertainty to leading with greater clarity and courage.

In this conversation, they discuss:

Why working with people you love and trust often matters more than the work itself
How cultivating a mindset of gratitude can change how you lead through uncertainty
Why doing things scared is often the fastest path to growth
The difference between managing time and managing energy
How leaders can get stuck in discernment loops and unintentionally stall momentum
Why clarity creates momentum for teams and organizations
How the rise of AI may actually increase the need for human connection

Plus, Tim and Holly share a few of their favorite newsletters, introduce new members of the LeadingSmart team, and continue the ongoing conversation about what it looks like to lead in real time.

If you're navigating change, building something new, or simply trying to grow as a leader, this episode offers practical insight and encouragement for the journey ahead.

Resources mentioned in today's episode:

Hollys book recommendation:https://www.amazon.com/Pit-Lion-Snowy-Day-Opportunity/dp/1601429290

Subscribe to the ready network: https://www.thereadynetwork.com/

Hollys Favorite Newsletters:

https://seths.blog/

https://fs.blog/check-your-email/

Tim's Favorite Newsletters:

https://unbiasedjordan.substack.com/

https://sherwood.news/subscribe/

https://usafacts.org/

📱 Follow us for more insights and resources
Instagram: @timstevens
Facebook: @timstevens

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