Leadership in missions can be deeply rewarding—but it can also be difficult, stretching, and sometimes lonely.

In this episode of Missions Life, Kyle and Heather sit down with Bob McNabb to talk about what it takes to lead well when the road gets hard. Drawing from his experience working with mission leaders, Bob shares why leadership matters, what often keeps people from stepping into leadership, and what new leaders are often surprised to discover once they take on the role.

They also explore the importance of character, competency, courage, resilience, and grit in healthy leadership. Bob identifies key leadership skills that new leaders need to develop and shares practical tools, resources, and lessons that have helped him and others grow.

Whether you are currently leading a missionary team, stepping into leadership for the first time, or wondering if leadership might be part of your future, this conversation offers practical wisdom and encouragement for the journey.

In this episode, we discuss:

✅ Why the role of a leader is so important
✅ What holds people back from becoming team leaders
✅ The unexpected challenges of stepping into leadership
✅ Why character must come before leadership competency
✅ Three key competencies every new leader needs to develop
✅ How leaders can grow in courage, resilience, and grit
✅ Advice for new leaders
✅ How aspiring leaders can prepare now for future opportunities

Leadership is not simply about having a title or position. It is about becoming the kind of person who can faithfully lead others—especially when the road is hard.

Bob McNabb is the Director of Mission Mentorship at Missio Nexus, where he leads the development of networks that strengthen mentor collaboration, learning, and peer support for mission leaders.

He brings decades of global missions experience, including campus ministry leadership, church planting, missions pastoring, and executive roles in mobilization and leadership development.

Bob earned his D.Min. in Leadership and is the author of Spiritual Multiplication in the Real World.

He also hosts The Field Leaders Podcast, creating space for shared learning and insight for field leadership.

Bob lives in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife Susan and their family.

Show notes and links: (in bold)

https://www.kylefarran.com/missionslife/39-leading-when-the-road-is-hard-bob-mcnabb

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