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.
Be sure to email us at tim@leadingsmart.com if there are specific topics you want us to cover!
Enjoy!
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The LeadingSmart Podcast
[S3EP17] Empowering vs Disengaged Leadership (What Most Leaders Get Wrong)
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Leadership isn’t just about stepping back… but what if stepping back is actually hurting your team?
In this episode of Leading Smart, Tim Stevens and Holly Tate unpack the real difference between empowering leadersand disengaged leaders—and why so many leaders get this wrong.
From “swoop and poop” leadership to decision-making authority, this conversation will challenge how you think about delegation, trust, and what it actually means to empower your team.
If you’ve ever:
- Felt like a bottleneck as a leader
- Worked under a leader who disappears… then reappears and changes everything
- Wondered how to truly empower your team without losing control
This episode is for you.
What we hope you will take away:
- The difference between delegating vs. empowering
- Why clarity (not just trust) is the key to healthy teams
- How disengagement can quietly damage your organization
- What “decision-making authority” really looks like in practice
- How to lead without becoming the bottleneck
Perfect For:
- Senior leaders & executive pastors
- Second-chair leaders / integrators
- Growing teams navigating leadership tension
- Anyone building (or rebuilding) a healthy leadership culture
📱 Follow us for more insights and resources
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Facebook: @timstevens
💻Visit LeadingSmart.com
Listen to Leading In Real Time Podcast Series
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ2wnxRYYqm_ThAiSPBwjH7vQH5i3H3aK
Listen to the full 40 Lessons In 40 Years series
https://www.leadingsmart.com/podcast
Download The Simply Strategic Show
https://www.leadingsmart.com/books-2
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