A Word to the Wise: 
 
Gallup identified four key expectations followers have of their leaders. They need leaders to provide hope, trust, compassion, and stability.
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Aaron Earls, Lifeway Research, 3.7.25, What Do People Want Most From Their Leader? Hope
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​A Word to the Wise: 
 
Elimination solves many problems. For one, you won't have to do the thing you eliminate. But also, you free up time, attention, and resources to do a better job on what remains. Before trying to be more productive, be more ruthless about what gets cut.
What can you eliminate this week?
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James Clear, 2.19.26, 3-2-1 Thursday

​A Word to the Wise: Mac Lake
 
Across churches, businesses, and nonprofits, I've heard the same line: “We don’t have enough leaders.”
But leadership gaps aren’t solved by finding people. They’re solved by developing people.
And here’s the part I don’t want you to miss:
Leadership was never meant to stop with you. God didn’t shape your influence just for your success—He shaped it for someone else’s growth.
So let’s keep it simple this week with one action step.
Write down the names of two people God has already put around you who have potential. If no one comes to mind, pause and ask God to highlight them.
Then do these two simple things:

• Pray specifically for them by name. Their growth. Their courage. Their calling.
• Schedule a simple connection. A 30-minute conversation just to know them more deeply.

This reminds me of how Jesus started his public ministry that would later change the world. He simply said, “Follow me.”
Multiplication starts when you begin to see people differently—and then move toward them.
One more thing:
If you're not sure whether you’re truly multiplying leaders—or just hoping it happens—you can download the Multiplying Leader Assessment for free right here!
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Mac Lake, 2.17.26, You Were Made to Multiply (Not Just Lead)

​A Word to the Wise: 
 
In many ways, church engagement is the thread that holds the Association together in a practical sense. It is the ongoing connection between pastors, congregations, and ministry partners that reminds us we are not laboring alone. The BMBA is not simply an organization with programs—it is a family of churches united in a shared mission and a shared gospel. We get to say things like, “Did you know that another church is going through this same challenge just across town and would love to help you?" 
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Dr. Chris Crain, Birmingham Metro Baptist Association newsletter, 2.11.26

A Word to the Wise: 
 
Three Time Management Tips from the Life of Christ in Matthew’s Gospel
So let me wrap this up with three takeaways.

1. Prioritize purpose. Get clear on what exactly it is God wants you to do. 

                                 And don’t get distracted.

1. Make time for people. Never be too busy to love people.
2. Don’t neglect prayer. Make it a priority.

Reagan Rose, www.RedeemingProductivity.com, 1.29.26

A Word to the Wise: 
 
At its best, the association is not an institution to be supported – like a college. At its best, the association is a strategy for cooperating at the local level that brings churches together strategically to do together what no one church can do alone. No one church is capable of reaching a city for Christ. 
 
Dr. Tom Billings, SBCAL 2018 Annual Conference, Former Executive Director, Union Association, Houston, TX

​A Word to the Wise: 
 
Over time, stress wears people down.
For leaders, a high need for control increases stress. The need for control shifts the way leaders focus on potential risks and obstacles.
Because controlling leaders want everything to go perfectly, they overthink every choice and action that can produce a less favorable outcome. This magnifies any threat to high performance and makes normal challenges feel overwhelming.
So, what makes some leaders so much better at handling and feeling less stress?
Optimism is the magic bullet.
The disciplined belief that progress is always possible and opportunity exists in any challenge regulates feelings of stress.
And here’s the good news: Research has proven that optimism is a learned skill. How stress is experienced and managed can be changed with an optimistic mindset.
In the struggle between reality and stress, optimism prevails.
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Admired Leadership Field Notes, 1.17.26, Why Do Some Leaders Feel More Stress?

​A Word to the Wise: 5 Ways AI Is Impacting the Next Generation (Lifeway Research)

1. Kids (and parents) are embracing AI
2. AI is shaping their worldview
3. They’re experimenting with virtual companions
4. The way they learn is changing
5. They’re not equipped to navigate the complex ethics of AI

Shelly Melia, Dallas Baptist University, Lifeway Research, 1.8.26 

​A Word to the Wise: How to Lead with Consistency While Adapting to Differences 
 
Consistency in leadership produces the most trust, credibility, and accountability.
People strongly prefer leaders who are highly consistent and predictable. People view consistent leaders as more trustworthy, reliable, and relatable.
How can a leader both adapt to the differences in people and maintain consistency at the same time?
The answer lies in a common misconception about how leaders should adapt and flex. Good leaders adapt their style and tone but not the substance or values they believe in.
In other words, leaders can be both adaptive and consistent at the same time if they choose to stay true to their core beliefs and strategies while adapting how to apply them to fit the people and situations involved.
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Admired Leadership Field Notes, 12.28.25, How to Lead with Consistency While Adapting to Differences

​A Word to the Wise from Mac Lake: Finish Well / Start Strong Checklist
 
1. Review This Past Year
Take a few minutes this week and ask:

• What were my biggest wins this year?
• What drained me the most?
• What surprised me?
• What did God teach me?

2. Release What Doesn’t Need to Follow You into January
Before the month ends, identify:

• One tension to resolve
• One expectation to reset
• One worry to hand back to God

3. Clarify Your January Goal
Clarity now prevents chaos later.
Begin to write down your goals for the new year.
If you need help, I recorded a short video on how I set leadership development goals for the year ahead, and I also have a free goal-setting Growth Plan to guide you through setting meaningful goals.
4. Choose One Growth Area for January
I often teach growth planning, and December is the perfect time to predetermine the one area you’ll focus on. 
Small, consistent habits create lasting growth.
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Mac Lake, 12.1.25, Finish December with Intention; Start January with Momentum