Most leaders who plateau aren't missing feedback — they're avoiding what honest feedback requires of them. Self-identification, it turns out, is only 20% of self-awareness.

Leadership development has a blind spot of its own: it focuses heavily on skills while overlooking the inner work that growth actually demands. In this episode, leadership strategist and executive coach Amy Clark explores why so many leaders stall even after they've named their weaknesses, and offers a clear path forward. From the concept of the "edge of familiarity" — where leaders cling to the expertise that got them to their current role — to a simple two-question method for gathering honest feedback from the people they lead, Amy provides practical tools that build both self-awareness and team trust.

You'll Gain Insight On

• Why knowing your blind spots is only 20% of self-awareness — and what the other 80% requires
• The "edge of familiarity" and how technical expertise quietly becomes a leadership ceiling
• Two direct questions that build self-awareness and trust without a formal review process
• Why care must be practiced rather than posted on a wall

👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/the-leaders-who-stay-stuck-already-know-their-blind-spots

Many leaders assume disengagement is primarily a motivation or performance problem. But what if the real issue is that people no longer experience their work as life-giving?

In this episode, Jay Bransford, President & CEO of Best Christian Workplaces, explores why Life-Giving Work is the second most powerful driver of employee engagement. Drawing from decades of workplace culture research, he explains how leaders unintentionally drain meaning from work, why role alignment matters, and how connecting daily tasks to mission can dramatically increase engagement and ownership.

You'll gain insight into:

• Why Life-Giving Work is one of the strongest drivers of engagement

• How leaders unintentionally drain meaning from work

• What happens when employees are in the wrong seat

• Practical habits that create energized, flourishing teams

👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/your-people-arent-burned-out-their-work-may-be-draining-the-life-out-of-them

Many Christian-led organizations are passionate about serving people externally—but struggle to care for the health of their own teams internally.

In this episode, Michael Martin, President & CEO of ECFA, explains why flourishing cultures require intentional stewardship, leadership rhythms, and a deep commitment to caring for people well. Drawing from ECFA's experience building a 100th-percentile workplace culture, he shares how mission clarity, collaboration, employee voice, and healthy leadership practices strengthen both culture and Kingdom impact.

You'll gain insight into:

• Why ECFA made culture one of its core strategic goals
• How mission clarity creates stronger employee engagement
• What leaders miss when they focus only on external ministry impact
• Practical rhythms that help teams stay healthy and connected

👉 Subscribe to Called to Flourish and share this conversation with a fellow leader. Access full show notes, resources, and transcript at: https://workplaces.org/podcast/the-strongest-ministries-dont-ignore-the-people-closest-to-them