In this episode of The Leadership Press Podcast, Mike continues the conversation on the leadership principles that shape the culture at Expectation Church.

Last month focused on Assuming Positive Intent, Clarifying Expectations, and Collaborating With Ownership. This month, Mike unpacks three more principles that help teams become healthier, stronger, and more unified: Delevate, Cover Down, and Team One.

Together, these principles remind us that leadership is not about becoming the one person everyone depends on. It is about developing people, building capacity, stepping into gaps when needed, and choosing the mission of the whole organization over the success of our individual area.

Mike talks about why great leaders are willing to replace themselves, how healthy teams create resilience by preparing others to step in, and why unity requires leaders to advocate honestly in the room while carrying alignment out of the room.

If you want to build a team that does not depend on one person, does not fall apart when gaps appear, and does not compete internally for attention or resources, this episode will give you practical language and principles you can begin applying right away.

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🟡 Got a question regarding Leadership? Submit it here: https://tinyurl.com/38894eke

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Leadership will always come with pressure, but pressure is a privilege. As leaders, we don’t run from pressure; we press into it. Because it's in the pressing that oil is produced, and through pressure, that purpose is revealed.

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In this episode of *The Leadership Press Podcast*, Mike shares three simple but powerful leadership principles that can help build healthier teams, stronger relationships, and clearer communication.

Many leadership problems are not just leadership problems — they are relational problems. They show up through miscommunication, unspoken expectations, unclear responsibilities, and the stories we tell ourselves about other people.

Mike unpacks three principles from the culture at Expectation Church: assume positive intent, clarify expectations, and collaborate with ownership. Together, these principles help leaders choose curiosity over judgment, communicate with clarity, invite the right voices into the process, and take responsibility for the outcomes they lead.

If you’ve ever left a meeting frustrated, replayed someone’s words in your head, or wondered why expectations were missed, this episode will give you practical language you can start using right away.

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🟡 Got a question regarding Leadership? Submit it here: https://tinyurl.com/38894eke

•••

Leadership will always come with pressure, but pressure is a privilege. As leaders, we don’t run from pressure; we press into it. Because it's in the pressing that oil is produced, and through pressure, that purpose is revealed.

•••

Follow On Social: https://www.instagram.com/theleadershippress

https://www.instagram.com/mikez.co

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#podcast #MB01LLKCQMNWBYG

In this episode of The Leadership Press Podcast, Mike sits down with longtime ministry leader, coach, and Care & Counseling Director Brenda Boose for an honest conversation about adversity, trust, healing, and the kind of leadership God forms through real life.

Brenda shares how seasons of pain, motherhood, grief, loss, anxiety, and learning to trust God have shaped her story and leadership. Together, Mike and Brenda talk about why faithfulness matters before things look successful, why leaders need healthy boundaries, and why people often need presence more than perfection.

If you’ve ever felt weak, overwhelmed, or disqualified by what you’ve walked through, this episode is a reminder that God wastes nothing surrendered to Him — and you may be stronger than you realize.

Learn more about Brenda Boose at https://brendaboose.com

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🟡 Got a question regarding Leadership? Submit it here: https://tinyurl.com/38894eke

•••

Leadership will always come with pressure, but pressure is a privilege. As leaders, we don’t run from pressure; we press into it. Because it's in the pressing that oil is produced, and through pressure, that purpose is revealed.

•••

Follow On Social: https://www.instagram.com/theleadershippress

https://www.instagram.com/mikez.co

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#podcast #MB01LLKCQMNWBYG

In this episode of The Leadership Press, we address a growing issue among leaders and reframe how to actually deal with it.Burnout.While many assume burnout is caused by a heavy workload or a busy season, the deeper issue is often how we’re stewarding our lives.Mike Z. explores why burnout isn’t about your schedule, but your stewardship, and how leaders who learn to manage their identity, respect their limits, and steward their energy position themselves to lead with health, clarity, and longevity.•••

🟡 Got a question regarding Leadership? Submit it here: https://tinyurl.com/38894eke•••Leadership will always come with pressure, but pressure is a privilege. As leaders, we don’t run from pressure; we press into it. Because it's in the pressing that oil is produced, and through pressure, that purpose is revealed.•••Follow On Social:https://www.instagram.com/theleadershippresshttps://www.instagram.com/mikez.co•••#podcast #MB01LLKCQMNWBYG

AI is everywhere right now, but for many leaders, it still feels overwhelming, confusing, or even a little threatening.In this episode of The Leadership Press Podcast, Mike sits down with AI strategist Daniel Huynh to break it down in a way that’s clear, practical, and grounded in real leadership. They talk about whether people should really be worried about their jobs, and the biggest mistakes leaders are making as they try to adopt it.More importantly, this conversation isn’t just about technology; it’s about how we lead through it.You’ll hear why AI is best understood as a tool to amplify human potential, how to take your first step without getting stuck in overwhelm, and what it looks like to embrace innovation without losing your humanity.If you’ve been unsure where to start or feeling like you’re already behind, this episode will help you move forward with clarity and confidence.••• 🟡 Got a question regarding Leadership? Submit it here: https://tinyurl.com/38894eke•••Leadership will always come with pressure, but pressure is a privilege. As leaders, we don’t run from pressure; we press into it. Because it's in the pressing that oil is produced, and through pressure, that purpose is revealed.•••Follow On Social:https://www.instagram.com/theleadershippresshttps://www.instagram.com/mikez.co------#MB01LLKCQMNWBYG

In this episode of The Leadership Press, we challenge a leadership instinct that feels productive, but may be limiting your team.

The ceiling of your leadership is directly tied to the quality of your questions.

Many of us were hired or promoted because we had answers. But constantly providing them can create dependency instead of development. Drawing from insights in "The Art of Asking Better Questions" by J.R. Briggs, Mike Z. explores why strong leaders are question-centered, not answer-driven.

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🟡 Got a question regarding Leadership? Submit it here: https://tinyurl.com/38894eke•••Leadership will always come with pressure, but pressure is a privilege. As leaders, we don’t run from pressure; we press into it. Because it's in the pressing that oil is produced, and through pressure, that purpose is revealed.•••Follow On Social:https://www.instagram.com/theleadershippresshttps://www.instagram.com/mikez.co------#MB01LLKCQMNWBYG

In this episode of The Leadership Press, we tackle a challenge every leader eventually faces: the struggle to let go. We dive into the tension between feeling responsible for the outcome and the necessity of trusting your team.If you feel like you have to hold onto everything to ensure it goes right, you might actually be becoming the "lid" to your own organization's growth. Mike Z. breaks down the four critical questions every leader must ask themselves to discern what to keep and what to release.••• 🟡 Got a question regarding Leadership? Submit it here: https://tinyurl.com/38894eke•••Leadership will always come with pressure, but pressure is a privilege. As leaders, we don’t run from pressure; we press into it. Because it's in the pressing that oil is produced, and through pressure, that purpose is revealed.•••Follow On Social:https://www.instagram.com/theleadershippresshttps://www.instagram.com/mikez.co------#MB01LLKCQMNWBYG

As the new year begins, many leaders feel pressure to start strong and get everything right. In this episode, we explore a better path forward - one rooted in identity, not intensity.

You’ll learn why messy action creates clarity, how simple systems help you stay consistent, and why the ability to reset quickly is often the greatest leadership skill of all.

If you’re looking for sustainable growth instead of burnout, this conversation is for you.