Podcast appearances and mentions of jenni catron

Welcome back to another episode of the unSeminary podcast. Today we're joined by Tim Foot, CEO of Slingshot Group. With nearly three decades of ministry and leadership experience having worked with thousands of churches, Tim brings deep insight into one of the most critical drivers of church health: your team. In this conversation, we explore what separates stagnant teams from those that create real momentum and how leaders can shift from survival to remarkable impact. Why teams stall out. // After working with thousands of churches, Tim consistently sees the same patterns: unclear expectations, misaligned priorities, lack of structure, and unspoken tension. Many teams are overly task-driven but underdeveloped relationally. Others don't fully understand how their strengths and weaknesses fit together. The danger of “hero-driven leadership.” // When a church relies too heavily on one standout leader to carry the mission it results in what Tim calls “hero-driven leadership.” While it can produce short-term results, it ultimately leads to burnout, unrealistic expectations, and fragile systems. Leaders often fall into this trap because it feels productive, and even rewarding, to be the one with all the answers. But over time, it limits team development and creates dependency instead of shared ownership. From hero to team. // The future of healthy ministry is team-based leadership. Instead of building ministries around individuals, churches must build systems and cultures where teams thrive together. This requires leaders humbly admitting they don't have all the answers and a willingness to slow down in order to build alignment. When leaders shift from being the “hero” to developing others, they unlock far greater long-term impact. The seven “key signatures” of remarkable teams. // Tim introduces a framework of seven core areas that every healthy team must develop: conviction, message, culture, roles, systems, friction, and risk. These “key signatures” work together like elements in music, providing structure that leads to a strong, unified outcome. Conviction anchors the mission (“why we exist”), while message communicates that mission clearly. Culture shapes how people experience the team, and roles define how individuals contribute. Systems enable growth, friction drives improvement, and risk fuels breakthrough. Why friction is actually healthy. // One of the most counterintuitive ideas Tim shares is that healthy teams need friction. Many leaders try to eliminate tension, assuming harmony equals health. But in reality, the absence of friction often means important issues are being avoided. Healthy friction leads to better ideas, stronger alignment, and greater innovation. The key is ensuring it doesn't become personal. When friction turns relationally destructive, it's unhealthy. But when it stays focused on ideas and outcomes, it becomes a powerful driver of growth. A practical tool for leaders. // To help teams take action, Tim points leaders to a free “team awareness assessment.” This tool helps churches evaluate how they're doing across the seven key signatures, identifying areas of strength and opportunities for growth. It's designed to spark meaningful conversations that lead to real change. A final challenge for leaders. // Tim leaves leaders with a simple but powerful reminder: if your mission matters, your team matters more. Churches often focus heavily on the people they're trying to reach, but neglect the health of the people they're leading alongside. Sustainable, mission-moving ministry requires both. To learn more about Tim's book Reaching for Remarkable: The 7 Key Signatures Behind Every Remarkable Team and take the free team assessment, visit reachingforremarkable.com or explore additional resources at slingshotgroup.org. Thank You for Tuning In! There are a lot of podcasts you could be tuning into today, but you chose unSeminary, and I'm grateful for that. If you enjoyed today's show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the left hand side of this page. Also, kindly consider taking the 60-seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes, they're extremely helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and you can bet that I read every single one of them personally! Thank You to This Episode’s Sponsor: TouchPoint As your church reaches more people, one of the biggest challenges is making sure no one slips through the cracks along the way.TouchPoint Church Management Software is an all-in-one ecosystem built for churches that want to elevate discipleship by providing clear data, strong engagement tools, and dependable workflows that scale as you grow. TouchPoint is trusted by some of the fastest-growing and largest churches in the country because it helps teams stay aligned, understand who they're reaching, and make confident ministry decisions week after week. If you've been wondering whether your current system can carry your next season of growth, it may be time to explore what TouchPoint can do for you. You can evaluate TouchPoint during a free, no-pressure one-hour demo at TouchPointSoftware.com/demo. Episode Transcript Rich Birch — Hey friends, welcome to the unSeminary podcast. So glad that you have decided to tune in. Listen, listen, listen, pull in close because today’s conversation, I don’t even know your church, but I know that a large portion of your budget is being spent on the thing we talk about. In fact, lots of churches, it’s like half of their budget. And it’s an even larger portion of the outcome of your ministry. It’s incredibly important what we’re talking about today. And so you do not want to miss this. Rich Birch — And we’ve got an expert that has worked with not tens of, not hundreds of, but literally thousands of of churches like yours and wants to help you take steps forward. Excited to have Tim Foot with us. He has nearly 30 years of experience, which I’m not sure how that’s possible, such a young man, as a leader, pastor, coach, speaker, musician in both Australia and North America, bringing a diverse background to his role as the CEO and president of Slingshot Group. If you’re not aware of who Slingshot Group is, they take the guesswork out of nonprofit and church staffing. He’s recently written a book that I’m excited for you to learn more about. But Tim, welcome to the show. So glad you’re here.Tim Foot — Rich, it is so glad, it’s so great to be on with you today. I’m excited about this conversation.Rich Birch — So good. I'm I’m excited for it too. Why don’t you kind of give us a bit of the Tim Foot background? Tell us a little bit about about you and kind of give us the how do we end up here in this conversation today?Tim Foot — Yeah, it’s interesting. I often say to people, I had no idea that I’d be on the other side of the world to where I started doing what I’m doing. But this is what happens, Rich, when you say, keep saying yes to God.Tim Foot — Born and raised Tasmanian, worked as a musician and in ministry in Sydney for 10 years after moving from Tasmania, then relocated to Boulder County, Colorado in 2002, been here for 25 years now in ministry at a great church called Lifebridge Christian Church. Built ministry there for 10 years and went bivocationally started working with the Slingshot Group when there was a handful of us doing a handful of staffing and coaching work and then things exploded.Tim Foot — And I really, really hit my sweet spot and saw how God had been preparing me for so many years to work with teams, love teams, love the strategy of teams, love working with people, love the fact that placing the right leader on the right team exponentially moves the mission forward and affects culture in all kinds of ways.Rich Birch — So true.Tim Foot — And so I’ve had all kinds of roles in Slingshot over the years, now get to lead our team of amazing consultants around the US serving so many, and beyond, serving so many ministries and teams move mission forward.Rich Birch — Love it. I’m so glad that, yeah, this is going to a good conversation. You know, one of the things I want to take advantage of is the fact you’re really an expert. You know, you’ve worked with, you and Slingshot have worked with thousands of churches and organizations, and you you really get a chance to see churches at an interesting inflection point.Rich Birch — You know, often when we’re hiring a team member, bringing someone in or trying to develop our teams, you know, we’re thinking about the future and we’re, we’re taking a step back. And like you say, I do think it’s a transformative inflection point that you’re involved in. Rich Birch — So you’re sitting across the table from a lot leaders, and maybe even some leaders who their mission is stalling. Like things aren’t maybe going as well as we would hope. Are yeah there any patterns in that you’re seeing, are there things that you see time and time again in churches that might be holding us back?Tim Foot — Yeah, I immediately thought of a common question we’ll ask teams when we’re brought in when it comes to needing a new person on the team or helping coach leaders. We’re often brought in in crisis moments, moments of transition, but they’re also moments of incredible opportunity.Tim Foot — And we’ll often ask the question, hey, do you want a painkiller or do you want a vitamin? And so often the the team is thinking they want the painkiller, they want the pain to go away. They want to solve the problem, they want to fill the seat, or they want to break through whatever it is they’re struggling with. But honestly, deep down, they need to start a regimen of vitamins to help them get to a healthy place to move the mission forward.Tim Foot — We often will see an unawareness that the wrong people are around the table. Or an unawareness that they need other leaders around the table to help them move forward, whether it be vocational paid leaders or volunteers.Tim Foot — We’ll often see misalignment and a lack of focus on the right things. Communication misfires around why the mission actually matters. We’ll often teams see teams that are task-driven at the expense of relationships.Tim Foot — And then an unawareness of strengths and weaknesses and how they complement each other, how they help move you forward or how they hold you back. Other patterns are a lack of structure to support the work. Elephants in the room, taboo topics, fear around failure that leads to lack of innovation. So many different patterns we’ll see and be able to diagnose and say, hey, we need to have conversation around that because I think uncorking that will help you accelerate the mission.Rich Birch — That’s cool. One of the things I love by reputation that I love about Slingshot is I love that you’re asking those bigger questions that it’s not just like, okay, how do we get to let’s just, let’s get the next hire done and move on.Rich Birch — It’s like, you know, you’re, you’re trying to ask those bigger questions and which I, that which I think, you know compliment to you and your organization that you’re trying to. Because we know when we need the painkillers, but really we need to take some good vitamins over an extended period of time to make our things more healthy for sure. Hmm.Tim Foot — You know, Rich, when we jumped into staffing work almost 20 years ago now, we had to educate the church on the need to have outside advice around staffing. But it was a lot of art and not as much science.Tim Foot — And now we’ve developed so much science around the art with with things like our candidate match tool. When you’re looking for a leader, you have to align around what you actually want in that new leader. So many teams will say, hey, we need this, this, this, this, this, this. And in the end, they’re looking for a purple unicorn. And that’s not going to help.Rich Birch — Right.Tim Foot — And we’ll talk about that as we get deeper in the conversation.Rich Birch — Right. Yes.Tim Foot — But Rich, last time I looked, unicorns are still mythical creatures. Rich Birch — True. Tim Foot — And so working working out what you actually need… Rich Birch — Right. Tim Foot — …and getting an awareness around alignment with who’s around the table may actually change your idea of what you’re looking for. Alignment is so important in getting an awareness of what our strengths and weaknesses are. Are we focused on the right thing? And are we actually moving the mission forward right now or is it stalled out?Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah, that’s good. One of your consultants, that remember once I was in a conversation about that very issue and and you know we had really lofty goals for what we were trying to hire. And and they they walked us through that conversation where it was like, okay, well, let’s let’s think about how many of these people are actually out there.Rich Birch — So and you list off hat half a dozen things that we were looking for and you cut back and you think, well, how many people actually work in the church? How many people have worked as long as we want to work and have had experience that we did and have done the stuff that we want to do?Rich Birch — And you literally get down to like, Well, there might be three people, you know, like, you know, and so anyways, that’s, that’s, that’s so true.Tim Foot — And actually… Rich Birch — You… Yeah, go ahead.Tim Foot — …that’s what we’ll often say. There are maybe three to five people when you have all of these filters in place, they can actually fill this role.Rich Birch — That’s true.Tim Foot — And that’s why you need to focus on ministry and you need to let us focus on finding those people.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. Yeah, that’s good. That’s great. And yeah, and if there’s three to five and one of them is Jesus, the other is the Holy Spirit. So it’s like, you know, you’re down to just a very few. You… Tim Foot — And Rich, let’s not talk about why many, many teams wouldn’t hire Jesus these days.Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah. That’s a whole other topic. that’s That’s great. Now, you’ve said something once that caught my attention, and it’s in my head has been branded to you. And it’s that most of us were trained on a model, a leadership model that nobody named out loud, that everyone, that we’ve all absorbed.Rich Birch — What is that model? You know, what it look like? And I know when you named this, I started seeing this everywhere I looked. I was like, oh, wow, I can see this in multiple different places in myself and in our organization. What what is this model?Tim Foot — Yeah, I mean, the the model we see is hero-driven leadership. It’s when we rely too much on individuals to actually carry the mission. And I think the cracks have happened.Tim Foot — I mean, we’ve seen it, Rich, you and I are similar ages. I think the cracks are happening generationally. The builders and boomers were wired differently for a different time and culture. And us Gen Xers, we can code switch. I mean, we we see we see that happening all the time. And as we stepped into leadership, the cracks started to appear.Tim Foot — I mean, we see it every week. Another leader burning out, doing stupid things because of too much pressure. Then millennials and Gen Z are now leading in a new way that we need to embrace.Tim Foot — And so I think we’re seeing those cracks around that hero dependence, and we’re starting to see the need more than ever to have a team awareness, a holistic approach, or we’re just going to have leaders continue to burn out.Tim Foot — And we sit we see it around unrealistic hiring expectations, a lack of support for great leaders when they’re hired, a lack of development.Tim Foot — Hero dependence is a terrible staffing and growth strategy and becomes a massive trap when it comes to a number of the key focus areas or patterns we’ve seen that healthy teams focus on and move mission forward.Rich Birch — Yeah. See, this is the thing when you, I heard you say that once and it, it literally, I sat up and I was like, oh man, I’ve seen that in my own, you know, my own hiring. I’ve seen that in the way I’ve talked with, you know, I see the leaders around me. You see these people who they’ve kind of built the entire ministry around themselves and they’ve built, it’s like, it doesn’t work if they don’t, it’s like, they’re such a unique individual. They have to lift it all. Rich Birch — But what makes that model so sticky? Like, why do we keep coming back to that? Why? Even if we know like intellectually in our heads, yeah, that’s not a good idea. It feels like we just keep coming back to this same thing time. In fact, we actually reward it. We’ll be like, wow, isn’t that great? This person’s amazing. And we just kind of keep moving on. Why is that?Tim Foot — It’s the shiny object trap. I mean, that that the the shiny object, aka the the talented leader that we think is going to catapult the ministry. Often we see it in in hiring conversations when a particular organization wants to go after somebody that’s been in at a much bigger organization than them. And often that person, if if they can attract them, will come in with a playbook that isn’t uniquely suited to the organization they’re stepping into. Or there aren’t systems to support that new leader and the growth that’s going to happen. And burnout happens at every level. But but we both know, Rich, busy work makes us feel productive. But is it the right work?Rich Birch — That’s so true.Tim Foot — And and we know that we can be ourselves the shiny object. We we want to it feels good to be the hero. It feels good to be the one that’s solving problems. Rich Birch — Sure.Tim Foot — It feels good to be the one that has all the answers. Rich Birch — Right.Tim Foot — And I think that’s one of the biggest threats in healthy leadership today is feeling like you have to have all the answers. Because I think one of the most powerful statements from healthy leaders and healthy teams is, hey, we don’t know what to do next. Because it actually opens up the room for new thought. It opens up the room for collaboration. And it opens up the room for teamwork. Tim Foot — But it’s easier to move quick. It’s easier to move quick and be surrounded by people who agree and play it safe.Rich Birch — So true.Tim Foot — And then down the road, we realized that we weren’t growing in every sense of that word. And the mission was stalled out. We know we often have to slow down, re-strategize, look at who’s around the table, work out how we work together to move faster in the long term. We have to be vulnerable to make a team work. And sometimes it requires us to actually help others win than focus on heroes. Tim Foot — I mean, you think about a winning sports team. It’s not about just one person out there doing all the work. We’ve got to work together as a team. You know, it’s it’s it’s how do we work together and have had have less dependence on that shiny object, those standout leaders or those heroes?Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. I love that. I remember years ago, we had a coach come in and as a lead team, and this basically spent a week with us and then, you know, try to help us get better in our leading of our people. And I remember at the end of the week, the leader who we brought in said you answer way too many questions. And I was like what do you mean by that? They’re like, you need to ask more questions and you answer. You’re you’re putting yourself way too much in the middle of all of this and you’re not letting…And I was like, oh that’s a good insight. You know, we’re not raising up other people we’re trying to uh you know make it all about us rather than about our teams. Well, I’d love to talk about your book.Rich Birch — So the title is Reaching for Remarkable: The Seven key signatures behind every Remarkable Team. Let’s start with the word Remarkable. You literally have it twice in your title and subtitle. Why Remarkable? And how does that relate to hero? Because I was like, isn’t that the same thing? Like, isn’t it couldn’t this be reaching for the heroic? So unpack that.Tim Foot — I love that word remarkable. And it’s always been our mission at Slingshot. We build remarkable teams through staffing and coaching because your mission needs a remarkable team to move it forward. Tim Foot — Jesus left us with the most remarkable mission. And but it wasn’t enough. He needed a team to move it forward. And if Jesus needed a team to move it forward, we need to move it forward as a team.Rich Birch — Right.Tim Foot — And so we’ve all got these unique expressions of that remarkable mission. But if that mission matters, your team matters more. Rich Birch — That’s good.Tim Foot — And so when it comes to Remarkable, it’s about the mission. It all comes back to the mission. And we never fully arrive, Rich. We’re always reaching.Rich Birch — That’s good.Tim Foot — We’ve always got to be focusing on the right things, doing the deep work of of of reimagining, reinventing, and re-moving forward to reach for remarkable momentum when it comes to our mission. But we’ve got to focus on the team and the right the right areas to move that mission forward.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good. So you actually talk about these, there’s these seven key signatures. Can you take a little bit of time and just unpack those? We won’t be able to get into all of them, but kind of talk us through how does it hang together as kind of a big idea?Tim Foot — Well, give you a little bit of context behind why they’re key signatures. You mentioned it in the intro, in a former life, I was a working musician and I would do solo gigs. It was my tentmaking job to do ministry back in Australia. Rich Birch — Right.Tim Foot — I would work three to five nights a week as a musician. And I always had way more fun working with other musicians in a team setting, because ah a band is essentially a team. And my best experiences, Rich, was when I was on stage with other musicians who were often better than me, but I was leading the band. We all lifted each other. And to achieve remarkable results, there was structure to it.Tim Foot — I mean, you know, there’s structure to music. There’s harmony and there’s rhythm and there’s key signatures. There’s tracks to run on that allow us to have a remarkable output. Rich Birch — That’s good.Tim Foot — And so as I move from that world into team strategy world, team specialist world, building teams world, I realized, hey, there are also tracks to run on as a team to reach for health and reach for remarkable, a remarkable output and remarkable momentum. And so that’s where we came up with these seven key focus areas that we call the seven key signatures behind every remarkable team.Tim Foot — And they’re a pathway, they work together. And I’ll run through them quickly. And then we can unpack what you what you want to unpack with the time that we have left, Rich.Tim Foot — But though, and they’re simple. I mean, these are patterns that I’ve observed over the last 16 years staffing teams, but the last 30 years growing in teams, learning from teams, leading teams. I mean, you and I both grew up in in church, Rich, and I learned a lot of of leadership lessons from being a volunteer on teams in in in my late teens and and early 20s, so much.Rich Birch — Yes, 100%.Tim Foot — But these patterns, this pattern or these key signatures start with number one, conviction. Conviction, which is a shared sense of why you exist and what you’re called to do. It’s the why behind the what. It’s the Simon Sinek. People buy why you do, not what you do. So that’s number one is conviction. Tim Foot — Number two is a message, a compelling and consistent way of communicating what matters most because, Rich, everything communicates. What’s the story our leadership is communicating? What we say, what we don’t say, our actions, our systems and processes. What story is it communicating? That’s number two. Tim Foot — Number three is culture, the values and behaviors that shape the soul of our team. How are people experiencing your ministry organization or your team?Tim Foot — Number four is roles, unique contributions for remarkable impact. Roles that clarify how we work together. Tim Foot — Number five is systems, which is scalable design for remarkable growth. Systems scale our mission. Tim Foot — Number six is friction because healthy friction moves the mission forward. How do we embrace healthy friction for growth? Tim Foot — And then the last one, number seven, and these all build on each other, is risk, which is bold moves that drive remarkable outcomes, initiatives that lead to breakthrough, strategic risk, not blind gamble. So those are the seven.Rich Birch — Love it. And you know friends, i I do think I would highly recommend that you pick up copies of this book. To me, when I when I saw this, to me, this feels like the kind of book that we should read together as a leadership team. Like, hey, let’s pull this together. You know maybe you’re looking for a fall thing to do with your leadership team. This would be a great book for you to pick up and go together. Rich Birch — There’s a couple I would love to tease out a little bit. I’d love you to pull out for us. Help us understand. You differentiate between conviction and message, two different things. I think lots of times we might collapse those into one. Why are they two separate? Help us understand the difference between those two.Tim Foot — Absolutely. Conviction, again, is why we do what we do. Without shared conviction, you won’t move the mission forward. There won’t be a reason behind initiatives. They’ll fall flat. Rich Birch — Right.Tim Foot — There won’t be a reason behind the message you’re communicating. That’s why they’re different. So conviction is what keeps us in on the days we want to quit.Tim Foot — I mean, think about the early church in Acts 4. It’s a great, best example of conviction. Peter declaring in Acts 4:20, we cannot help but speak about what we’ve seen and heard. They didn’t just believe. They acted. It drove every decision.Tim Foot — If the disciples were just compliant, when Jesus ascended, they would have scattered. But because they were convicted, they ah nearly all of them gave their very lives for the mission. Conviction is our North Star. It’s It’s like calling. it’s It’s what keeps you the days, keeps you in it, the days you want to quit. And Rich, we know there’s going to be plenty of days you to quit. Tim Foot — Message, however, is is the story we’re communicating. It’s how we hire, fire, onboard, develop. It’s how we communicate our conviction and our overall mission. And in the book, we list a bunch of traps for each of these seven key signatures. And we can chat about some of the most common traps. But a common trap for for message is assumption. Rich Birch — It’s good.Tim Foot — We assume people understand and care like we understand and care. Rich Birch — Right.Tim Foot — And we don’t ask enough questions. I mean, it’s why Jesus’ ministry was full of questions, Rich. Rich Birch — Right. Right.Tim Foot — Because he was he was cementing conviction. I mean, Jesus asked the best questions and rarely gave the answers. He lived the answers and he teased the answers out because that’s what led to conviction. That’s why they build upon each other. Tim Foot — You can’t have a story without conviction. You can’t have a message without conviction. And you can’t have a healthy message unless you are asking the right questions to make sure people are hearing and understanding it. Tim Foot — Did you like like did you understand what I just communicated? What did you just hear that I that I said?Rich Birch — Right.Tim Foot — Why why are why are you so convicted to by our mission?Rich Birch — Yeah.Tim Foot — Why are you committed to it? So many great questions.Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s good.Tim Foot — The book is full of questions too. I’m a I’m a serial question asker. They used to call me “Quiz” when I was a teenager because I asked so many questions.Rich Birch — Yeah.Tim Foot — And it wasn’t until later that a mentor and co-founder of Slingshot, Stan Endicott—I think you know him, Rich—that he he convinced me that my proclivity for asking so many questions was actually a spiritual gift and not a special need.Rich Birch — Yeah. Tim Foot — Because questions, questions move conversations forward.Rich Birch — Yeah. Yep. Yeah, it’s true. It’s so good. And yeah, as I’ve shifted into full-time coaching, I have found, yeah, like that the the skill of asking a good question, it’s like, you know, I think the best moments I have with the people I’m working with are when we’re, I’m asking questions and they’re discovering, they’re tripping on to their own answers that maybe are a little different even than I would have. But just asking good questions, super important.Rich Birch — Okay. Another one that stood out to me of the, and again, friends, you’re going read all this. Obviously we can’t cover this in just, you know, half an hour conversation. But talk to me about friction, healthy friction. Tim Foot — Yeah. Rich Birch — So I literally have said as an executive pastor, my job was to remove friction from the organization. And so when you say, oh, you lots of us are trying to remove it. I was like, ouch, that’s me.Rich Birch — Because I think that’s, ah you know, I would I want to find places where we’re stuck and say, how do we get those unstuck and push this thing forward? So talk to me about why I’m wrong about friction.Tim Foot — I was there too, Rich. I was absolutely there. But when I get to number six, when we’re speaking on this or teaching on this, I will often say, hey number six is a wait, what? Tim Foot — I thought this was the sign of an unhealthy team. I used to think that. I used to think that the harmonious teams were the healthy ones, that when I walked into a context where there was all harmony with the team, that it was there was healthy, the absence of friction was healthy. But it’s not. It’s a sign of unhealth. Tim Foot — And I’m talking, there’s two kinds of friction, healthy and unhealthy. I’m talking about healthy friction. I mean, you think about a car and how the rubber meets the road, causes friction, moves the car forward. If you don’t have friction in your team, your mission isn’t going on anywhere.Tim Foot — It’s interesting, Zippia workplace survey found out that 76% of employees in the workplace avoid conflict, which is a real problem because healthy friction sharpens and aims teams, while avoiding conflict leads to complacency and stagnation.Tim Foot — Teams where members are passionately embracing friction will not only push through and forward to great results, they’ll attract and retain, which is really important, they’re going attract and retain top leaders. It’s where the mission truly comes alive and evolves to all it can be. Good leaders, rich, know to allow it. They know not to control it, but closely monitor it.Tim Foot — We get to decide if the tension or friction we allow is healthy or unhealthy. We call this the loaded gun of the seven key signatures, because when this gun goes off, it either breaks through a door or a wall that you needed to break through, or somebody gets hurt. And good leaders know how to monitor that and help it break through and not damage other leaders.Rich Birch — Yeah, let’s double click on that. Help me understand. So yeah, I’m going with you. I can see what you’re saying. You know, healthy friction, you know, unhealthy friction, good friction, bad friction. So give me an example. Rich Birch — You walk into it, you’re working with a ah church and there’s some telltale signs of, friction that’s that’s negative, that’s actually pulling the organization back, that’s that could be potentially hurting, or maybe has gone too far, or what’s, I’m not sure the best way to say that. Versus, hey, no, here’s some here’s some good friction that’s actually some good heat here that’s pushing the tires forward. Help us, what does that look like?Tim Foot — When when it becomes personal, Rich, that’s always the way you know it’s trending towards unhealthy. We’ll get to it in a minute, but we’ve got a team assessment on our website now around these seven key signatures, and we talk about unhealthy, inconsistent, functional, remarkable.Tim Foot — Most most teams live in that functional space. If you’re below unhealthy, it’s trending toxic, and that’s when you need ah that’s when you need the 4Sight group and Jenni Catron to come I mean, do some some deep, deep culture work. Rich Birch — Right.Tim Foot — I’m all about our ecosystem. I know you are too, Rich. It’s like when you need the deeper work, then you need the specialist. Rich Birch — Sure, sure.Tim Foot — But right now you’ve got the general practitioner. Rich Birch — Yeah, yeah, yeah.Tim Foot — But but when it gets when it gets personal, you know that that’s unhealthy friction. Rich Birch — That’s good. Right.Tim Foot — And let’s go back to um the the harmony piece. Because that’s one of the traps when it comes to friction. it’s It’s the harmony trap. And it’s like it’s you wanting there to be you know violins and and and and birds singing and for everybody to be loving each other. That’s also a sign that there is unhealthy friction. Rich Birch — Right. Tim Foot — Because there’s things lurking that have been pushed down below the surface that are going to come out sideways that if you had just dealt with it straight away, it actually could have become momentum for your mission. It’s the unspoken influences trap. it’s the It’s the elephants in the room.Rich Birch — Right.Tim Foot — It’s what everybody’s thinking about, but nobody’s talking about. That’s going to that that’s gonna be insidious and it’s going to chip away at the health of your team. Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s good.Tim Foot — And it’s gonna become unhealthy friction. And so that’s a great question to ask. And that’s in the book too. What’s every thinking about, nobody’s talking about? Because that’s what we need to engage.Tim Foot — Now, if we think that’s going to lead to unhealthy friction, let’s have the the conversations outside of the meeting. So that when we get to the conversations inside of the meeting, we can engage this as healthy friction that will actually address the topic and will move us forward rather than becoming personal and eroding relationships.Rich Birch — That’s good. Yeah, that question, what’s everybody thinking about that nobody’s talking about? That’s powerful. And I can see, yeah, that even even the organizations I’ve led, you can see where there’s seasons where we try to push away that friction. nd that can be just super negative. And it’s like this, we’re all just in la-la land. We’re all just, you know, can see that for sure. Tim Foot —Yeah.Rich Birch — So you wrote this book, you put this resource together. help me understand how you’re hoping it will help our, our churches. You know, I’m picture, I’m a church of a thousand people. Maybe I’m the executive pastor. I’ve got a team of 12 to 15 people on my team. And how how could, how could this be a helpful resource for us?Tim Foot — Well, this I believe this is the most important work we need to be doing, Rich, because if your mission matters, your team matters more. So often we get so focused on the people we’re serving that we forget the people we’re serving with.Tim Foot — And if we’re stalling out mission, mission-wise, then we’re not moving forward. And that’s not and we’re not being obedient to God’s call. And so what I’m hoping is, I mean, personally, our kingdom first principle at Slingshot is to leave teams better than than the way we found them. And the last thing we want to do is place great leaders on unhealthy teams.Tim Foot — So what we’re hoping is that teams are going to focus around these seven alignment areas and start to move mission forward, attract great leaders, retain great leaders. When we place, I mean, I you and I have both had healthy long-term ministries at churches, and it is a massive blessing when you, if God wills it, and you stay somewhere long term. I want other people to experience that. And that happens when the right leaders are placed on the right team.Tim Foot — So what I’m hoping churches do is they take our team awareness assessment on on our website, reachingforremarkable.com, which is attached to slingshotgroup.org. And they get a sense of, okay, where what where might we need attention in these seven key areas? Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s good.Tim Foot — Because it heat maps, it gives you percentages, you can take it as a team. And then to start the real important conversations.Tim Foot — I mean, I’ve been in rooms with this work, Rich, where you start to see teams have conversation around alignment and and teams that were that were stale or leaders that were burnt out start to get a glimmer of hope. Rich Birch — Yeah. That’s good.Tim Foot — That, oh, if we start to have these conversations around these areas, if we walk this pathway, if we focus in these areas where we’re struggling right now, we’re going to start to see results.Tim Foot — I mean, I even think about the key signature of systems. You know, it’s systems that scale remarkable growth. If we’re not building systems to to accommodate the growth that we keep praying for, God’s not going to bring the increase. Rich Birch — Yeah, it’s true. Tim Foot — Because God isn’t going to bring growth if it’s going to hurt us. We have to be building the right kind of systems to support our teams and leaders so that the growth can come. It’s a stewardship issue. Rich Birch — Yes, yep.Tim Foot — So what I’m hoping happens in churches all over the place is that they start to focus on these key signatures and see mission momentum results that moves them forward as an organization.Rich Birch — Yeah, that’s so good. Why don’t you tell us, you’ve mentioned it, but tell us a little bit more about the team awareness assessment. Give us like a bit of a, you know, you’ve kind of given us an overview there. Give us a little bit more why we should take that test and give us that URL again that we can send people to.Tim Foot — It’s reachingforremarkable.com and it’s it’s literally 10 minutes or less. Rich Birch — Right.Tim Foot — And it’s free as a leader. You can jump in and take it or you can sign up and and take it as a team. And it gives you obviously the team percentage on each of these key signatures. but also your own results. And when we’ve worked with real high-performing teams, it’s fascinating to watch these great leaders compare their individual percentage on each of these key signatures with their entire team and just to see alignment start to happen and the right conversations to happen.Tim Foot — Because we want to be able to focus in on where alignment is needed most. It may be real simple, Rich. Most teams live in that functional space. Rich Birch — Sure. Tim Foot — Functional’s fine.Rich Birch — Yeah.Tim Foot — But it’s not going to get remarkable results. Rich Birch — Yeah.Tim Foot — And our mission is too important. We have to focus on team alignment to move it forward.Rich Birch — Yeah. It’s so good. Yeah. I was talking to a a leader recently of a very large church and they were saying, you know, I just feel like, I feel like we got a go Pro. And what he was saying is exactly what you’re saying is like, Hey, we we’re we’re fine. We’re functioning.Tim Foot — Right. Right.Rich Birch — But man, we want to go remarkable. We want to go from just just because we can do this thing week in, week out in their case, have thousands of people show up, tens of thousands of people show up. But it’s like, that’s not enough. We got it. But the mission’s too important. We’re trying to reach people. How do we go remarkable? Which to me, I think picking up a copies of these books as a team would be a great first step. Rich Birch — Where do people, where can people pick this up? Where can they get your book if they’re looking for that? I’m assuming Amazon, but is there anywhere else we want to send them?Tim Foot — No, Amazon’s a place to go. Rich Birch — Yeah, that is the bookseller apparently.Tim Foot — I mean, it’s we know these days where wherever where everybody’s going, Amazon’s the way. And I would just add to Rich that as a leader, you want to know. This is information you want to have.Rich Birch — Yes.Tim Foot — We’ve talked so much about self-awareness. And if we’re in leadership, we need to show up to our team self-awareness. So many profiles. Rich Birch — Yep.Tim Foot — We don’t talk enough about team awareness. You need to know as a leader if you’re moving your mission forward or where you might be stalling out because it’s too important. And these seven things, as I said earlier, Rich, they’re not they’re not rocket science. Tim Foot — I mean, I like to I like to couch it this way: Conviction shapes the heart. Message shapes the voice. Culture shapes the atmosphere. Role shape contribution. Systems shape sustainability. Friction shapes growth. Risk shapes the future. And that’s why I hope you’ll dig into this with us. Rich Birch — Love it. Tim Foot — Because we want to see the kingdom move forward and we want to see churches full of healthy teams that not only great leaders want to come and be part of, great volunteers want to be a part of and help move this forward.Rich Birch — That’s so good. Well, I think that’s a great place to end it. I was like, man, that’s, I’m like, I want to preach. Amen, brother. That’s fantastic. If people were, so we’ll send them to Amazon. We’ll put a link in the show notes for that. If people want to track with you or with Slingshot, where do we want to send them online to connect as well?Tim Foot — Slingshotgroup.org is our company website. And there’s a bunch of great stories there. There’s places that you can engage. We would love you to be in our ecosystem. And yeah, you can jump over there to reachingforremarkable.com. And we would love to come alongside you and help you continue to move forward in the unique ways that God has called you to.Rich Birch — Well, Tim, it’s great to see you. Tim Foot — You too.Rich Birch — We were just remarking before, we had dinner together there a couple months ago. That was fun, but it was fun to put the recording on today and connect a little bit. Appreciate you, brother. Thanks so much for being here today.Tim Foot — Thanks for having me, Rich.

Send us Fan MailYour strategy is solid. Your offer is dialed in. But something inside your growing team is quietly fracturing, and if you can't name it, you can't fix it.In this episode, I sit down with Jenni Catron, bestselling author, speaker, and culture strategist, and founder and CEO of the 4Sight Group, who has spent over 20 years helping leaders in corporate, nonprofit, and ministry environments build the one thing that determines whether everything else works: a real team culture system.Jenni unpacks why the pressure of growth exposes every clarity gap your organization has, and why culture left to chance will always drift toward dysfunction. She shares her five-phase culture framework, the counterintuitive power of building a cross-functional culture team, and why the Gallup data is unambiguous: when your team culture system is healthy, every metric you care about goes the right direction.If you've been putting culture on the back burner while you chase revenue, this episode is your course correction.Books MentionedThe Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership by Jenni CatronCulture Matters by Jenni Catron (USA Today Bestseller)Just Lead by Jenni Catron Connect with Jenni and start with her free Culture Blind Spots Assessment at get4sight.com. It's right at the top of the page and will give you immediate clarity on where your culture may have gaps. You can also find her at @JenniCatron across all social platforms, and I highly recommend her podcast as well.Check out Dr. William Attaway's new show, The Appreciation at Work Podcast!  Join Dr. William Attaway on the Catalytic Leadership podcast as he shares transformative insights to help high-performance entrepreneurs and agency owners achieve Clear-Minded Focus, Calm Control, and Confidence.Free 30-Minute Discovery Call:Ready to elevate your business? Book a free 30-minute discovery call with Dr. William Attaway and start your journey to success.Special Offer:Get your FREE copy of Catalytic Leadership: 12 Keys to Becoming an Intentional Leader Who Makes a Difference.Connect with Dr. William Attaway:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTikTokYouTube

As the 4Sight Group celebrates its 10th anniversary and Jenni Catron marks a personal milestone year, she shares why she is stepping away for a four-week sabbatical for the first time in her career.In this honest conversation, Jenni reflects on nearly three decades of nonstop work, the lessons she has learned about burnout, and the importance of creating margin before exhaustion forces it. She discusses what led her to make this decision, what she hopes to gain from the experience, and how intentional rest can help leaders gain perspective, renew their energy, and lead well for the long haul.Whether a month-long sabbatical feels possible or not, this episode offers a challenge for every leader: What would intentional rest look like for you this summer? From disconnecting on vacation to stepping away from social media or simply creating space to slow down, Jenni encourages listeners to prioritize rhythms of rest that support healthy leadership and thriving organizations.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us:Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts.Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode, Adam sits down with Jenni Catron, leadership expert, founder of The 4Sight Group, and author of Culture Matters , to talk about one of the most important and most overlooked responsibilities of any leader: building a healthy organizational culture. Jenni brings clarity and practical wisdom to a topic that can feel abstract, and this conversation will leave you with both a better understanding of why culture matters and what you can actually do about it.

Leadership expert Jenni Catron shares her journey, insights on cultivating healthy organizational culture, the importance of accountability, and how to scale culture in growing organizations. Discover practical strategies for leaders aiming to create lasting, positive impact.Jenni is the Founder and CEO of The 4Sight Group, aconsultancy dedicated to working directly with leaders of faith based organizations to help them develop a thriving team and accelerate growth.Jenni Catron is a writer, speaker, and leadership expertcommitted to helping others lead from their extraordinary best. Jenni's passion is to lead well and to inspire, equip and encourage others to do the same. She speaks at conferences and churches nationwide, seeking to help others developtheir leadership gifts and lead confidently in the different spheres of influence God has granted them. Additionally, she consults with individuals and teams on leadership and organizational health.Jenni is the author of several books including Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influenceand The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership.Get In Touch With Jenni:get4sight.com Social Media: @jennicatron

What happens to workplace culture during the summer? In this episode, Jenni Catron explores how leaders can work with the rhythms of summer instead of fighting against them. Learn practical ways to improve employee engagement, prevent team disengagement, and strengthen organizational culture through intentional leadership. Jenni shares five simple but powerful strategies including flexible schedules, smarter meetings, summer team activities, and prioritizing high-impact work that can help leaders boost morale and maintain momentum during the busiest vacation season of the year.Download the Summer Engagement Conversation GuideWe need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us:Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts.Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

What does it actually take to build a remarkable team?In this episode, Jenni Catron talks with Slingshot Group CEO Tim Foot about the patterns they've both seen across hundreds of teams including what works, what doesn't, and where things tend to break down.Tim shares the seven key signatures of remarkable teams, along with the common traps that quietly stall progress. From misalignment and unclear messaging to avoiding healthy conflict, this conversation helps you see where your team may be getting stuck and what to do about it.At the center of it all is a simple idea: if your mission matters, your team matters more.The Biggest Takeaways: The 7 key signatures that shape healthy, high-performing teams  Why team awareness matters just as much as self-awareness  Where most teams drift out of alignment (and how to catch it early)  The difference between functional teams and teams that produce real impact  How to approach conflict in a way that strengthens—not fractures—your team Next Steps Take the team assessment: reachingforremarkable.com Get the book: Reaching for Remarkable by Tim Foot  Share this episode with your team and use it to start a conversation About Our GuestTim Foot is CEO and President of Slingshot Group, where he works with organizations to build strong, healthy teams through staffing and coaching. His work focuses on helping leaders move teams from simply getting by to doing meaningful, aligned work together. You can learn more about Tim here. We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us:Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts.Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Every organization has a culture—but not every leader is shaping it intentionally. In this episode, Jenni Catron explains why culture is one of the most important (and often overlooked) responsibilities of leadership. In this conversation with GLN President and CEO David Ashcraft, Jenni offers a practical definition of culture, along with clear ways to translate values into everyday behaviors and reinforce them through consistent rhythms. Jenni also outlines what it actually takes to change culture—where to start, how long it takes, and why many efforts stall. Along the way, she highlights the subtle signs of an unhealthy culture and the role leaders play in either reinforcing or correcting them. If you're responsible for a team, this conversation will help you take a more intentional, long-term approach to building a culture where people and performance can thrive.

What if the biggest problem in your organization isn't strategy—but culture?In this episode, leadership and culture expert Jenni Catron unpacks a shocking reality: only 31% of U.S. employees are engaged at work—and most leaders don't know how to fix it. You'll discover why traditional “core values” exercises fail, how culture is actually formed, and the powerful (often overlooked) role language plays in shaping team behavior. Through a fascinating example from The Masters golf tournament, Jenni reveals how intentional language reflects deeper values—and how you can apply the same principle to your organization.This episode will help you: Understand why your current values aren't driving results  Learn how strong leaders create clarity, trust, and engagement  Turn vague values into actionable behaviors your team lives daily  Build a culture that performs under pressure—not just when things are easy If your team feels disconnected, inconsistent, or stuck, this is your roadmap to building a culture that actually works.Register for the Values Intensive Workshop here.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us:Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts.Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

What if the biggest barrier to your leadership isn't what you see, but what you hide?In this episode, Jenni Catron sits down with leadership mentor Tyler Dickerhoof to unpack a reality every leader faces: unresolved fears and insecurities don't disappear—they show up in how we lead.Through honest storytelling and hard-earned insight, Tyler shares how these hidden patterns often surface as intensity, isolation, inactivity, or insensitivity—behaviors that quietly undermine trust, relationships, and culture.This isn't just a conversation about awareness. It's about ownership.Jenni and Tyler challenge leaders to stop managing symptoms and start addressing root causes. Because when you face what's beneath the surface, you don't just grow personally—you lead more effectively, build healthier teams, and create cultures where people can actually thrive.If leadership has felt harder than it should, this episode will help you name what's really going on and give you a path forward.Learn more about Tyler here. We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us:Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts.Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

If you've ever wondered “How can I influence company culture if I'm not in senior leadership?”—this episode is for you.In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron breaks down one of the most common leadership challenges: how to improve team culture from any role, not just the top. Whether you're a mid-level manager, emerging leader, or executive trying to activate your team, you'll learn practical, proven ways to shape a healthy, high-performing workplace culture.Jenni shares 5 essential leadership behaviors that drive culture, including how to: Influence culture without formal authority  Build a positive team environment through everyday actions  Take ownership of team engagement and performance  Communicate in a way that builds trust and respect  Stay motivated and aligned with your purpose at work You'll also discover why culture isn't owned by leadership alone—it's shaped by every person on the team and how small, intentional actions can create outsized impact across your organization.If you're searching for answers to:How do I improve workplace culture?How can managers influence team culture?What are the best leadership habits for building strong teams?This episode gives you clear, actionable strategies you can start using immediately.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us:Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts.Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

What does it really take to build a culture people want to be part of? In this conversation, Jenni Catron sits down with Heather Broeder, Executive VP at Refined Technologies, to explore how intentional culture-building drives healthier leaders, stronger teams, and better business outcomes. Heather shares how her company has made culture a true differentiator through leader development, shared language, meaningful recognition, second-chance hiring, and a deep commitment to purpose. This episode is full of practical wisdom for leaders who want to move culture from a nice idea to a daily reality.Don't miss the next Free Masterclass. Save your seat here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zrfd5aSgS4yHgpMV56TSOgWe need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron sits down with renowned leadership expert and bestselling author Patrick Lencioni to explore his groundbreaking framework, The Six Types of Working Genius.Lencioni—best known for The Five Dysfunctions of a Team and his work on organizational health—shares how the Working Genius model helps leaders and teams understand the kinds of work that energize them and the tasks that drain them. When teams gain a shared language for how people are wired to contribute, collaboration improves, frustration decreases, and culture becomes healthier.Patrick explains the six types of work required in every project—Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement, and Tenacity—and how each person typically excels in two of these areas. By identifying these strengths, leaders can build more balanced teams, place people in roles where they thrive, and reduce unnecessary guilt and judgment in the workplace.Throughout the conversation, Catron and Lencioni discuss:Why organizational health is more important than strategy aloneHow the Working Genius framework improves team communicationWhy many leaders unintentionally place people in the wrong rolesHow shared language around strengths transforms team culturePractical ways leaders can use the model to hire, develop, and align teamsWhether you're new to the Working Genius assessment or already using leadership tools like DISC, Myers-Briggs, or the Enneagram, this conversation will help you rethink how work gets done—and how understanding your team's natural gifts can unlock greater engagement, productivity, and purpose.If you want to build a healthier culture, lead people more effectively, and help your team do their best work, this episode is a must-listen.Take the assessment here with 20% off. We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this special anniversary episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron celebrates one year of Culture Matters, her USA Today bestselling book on building healthy organizational culture. If you're a leader looking for practical tools to strengthen your team culture, improve workplace alignment, and create a clear culture strategy, this episode is for you.Jenni revisits the core principles of the Lead Culture Framework—a five-phase leadership framework designed to help leaders assess their current culture, define their desired culture, build a strategic culture plan, equip their teams, and commit to ongoing culture development. Leaders across industries are using this proven model as a step-by-step “how-to” guide for building high-performing teams and closing culture gaps before they turn into crises.In this episode, you'll learn:Why organizational culture requires proactive leadership—not crisis managementHow to assess gaps in your workplace culture with clarity and confidenceThe five essential phases of a sustainable culture strategyHow to create alignment around values, beliefs, and behaviorsWhy culture conversations feel vulnerable—and how to lead them wellPractical steps to start building a thriving team culture todayWhether you're leading a small team, a growing organization, or an established company navigating change, this episode will equip you with actionable leadership tools to strengthen team alignment, boost engagement, and create a healthy, high-performing culture.If culture work has been sitting on your back burner, this conversation will challenge and inspire you to take the first step—because your leadership shapes everything, and culture truly matters.Learn more about CultureMattersBook.comGet the LeadCulture Course Anniversary Sale Here.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Culture doesn't break down because leaders lack effort or good intentions—it breaks down when there's a gap between how leaders show up and how teams experience that leadership.In this episode, Jenni Catron builds on last week's conversation about the Clarity Cascade—mission, vision, strategy, and structure—and takes it one level deeper. The focus shifts from who is on the team to how well leaders are equipping people to fully engage once clarity is in place.Jenni unpacks why self-awareness is one of the strongest predictors of leadership success and how emotional intelligence directly shapes organizational culture. Drawing on research, real-world leadership experience, and the LeadCulture Framework, she explains why competence alone isn't enough—and why leaders must develop both self-awareness and others' awareness to build healthy, high-trust teams.You'll also hear why tools like personality assessments and Patrick Lencioni's Working Genius can be powerful culture-shaping resources when used well—not as labels, but as shared language that improves collaboration, alignment, and momentum.If you've clarified roles, strategy, and structure but still feel like your team is getting stuck, this episode will help you identify what might be missing—and how growing emotional intelligence can unlock the next level of effectiveness.This conversation sets the stage for Jenni's upcoming webinar with Patrick Lencioni, where they'll dive deeper into how Working Genius strengthens teams and accelerates culture health.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

You've done the work.You cast the vision.You built the strategy.So why does execution still feel slow, stalled, or stuck?In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron unpacks a challenge leaders face every year—especially as they move from strategic planning into real-world execution. Teams aren't failing because they don't care. They're struggling because clarity is breaking down in the system.Jenni introduces a powerful framework she calls The Clarity Cascade, showing how results depend on more than just a strong strategy. You'll learn how mission, vision, strategy, structure, and role clarity must intentionally cascade together to create momentum—and why most leaders stop one step too soon.This episode will help you:Identify why your team feels busy but isn't making progressUnderstand how organizational structure either fuels or blocks executionSee why misaligned org charts create confusion, frustration, and disengagementClarify roles and responsibilities so every team member can confidently contributeAudit your structure to ensure it actually supports your strategyIf your 2026 goals feel solid but results aren't showing up yet, this conversation will help you uncover the invisible barriers holding your team back—and give you practical next steps to realign for impact.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Today we welcome Jenni Catron to the podcast. Jenni is recognized as a trusted leadership voice in both church and marketplace worlds. In today's conversation, we explore the growing challenge of disengagement among staff and volunteers—looking at what's driving it and how ministry leaders can respond with wisdom, clarity, and care.

What if building a great culture isn't about perks, personalities, or one big initiative—but about the small, intentional choices leaders make every single day?In this episode of the LeadCulture Podcast, Jenni Catron sits down with Anthony Lambatos, President of Footers Catering & Events and founder of MIBE (Make It Better Every Day), to unpack what it really takes to create a workplace where people thrive—and why culture must be treated as a daily discipline, not a one-time project.Anthony shares the behind-the-scenes story of transforming Footers from a high-stress, old-school hospitality environment into one of the most recognized “Best Places to Work” in Colorado. Along the way, he reveals the pivotal mindset shift that changed everything: realizing his job wasn't just to run events—it was to create an environment where people could do their best work and grow as humans.Together, Jenni and Anthony explore:Why serving your people first leads to better results for customers, clients, and the bottom lineHow leaders unintentionally stall culture by hoping it will “stick” without ongoing focusThe four convictions that shaped Footers' culture—and how they show up in real, practical waysWhy language, onboarding, and everyday behaviors matter more than perks or benefitsHow leaders at every level can (and must) take ownership of protecting the cultureIf you're a leader who feels the gap between the culture you want and the one you're currently experiencing, this conversation offers both clarity and hope. You don't need a complete overhaul—you need one intentional step forward.Because great cultures aren't built overnight. They're built when leaders commit to making it better every day.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

What makes a team want to show up—and what causes even mission-driven organizations to quietly drift into burnout, confusion, or disengagement?Trent Dunham sits down with Jenni Catron, Founder & CEO of The 4Sight Group and author of Culture Matters, for a practical conversation about building environments where people thrive. Jenni shares why culture can't be left to chance, how “environment” shapes engagement (often more than we realize), and why clarity is one of the strongest indicators of a healthy culture.If you want to learn how to build a healthy culture within your organization or team, this is an episode you don't want to miss!

Trust is at the center of everything leaders want—but in today's skeptical, information-saturated world, trust is harder to earn than ever.In this episode of the LeadCulture Podcast, Jenni Catron sits down with financial coach, business owner, and speaker MJ Pittman for a timely conversation on what he calls the trust recession—and why it places an even greater responsibility on leaders. Together, they unpack why likability isn't the same as trust, how predictability creates psychological safety, and what leaders often overlook when they assume trust should already exist.MJ brings a fresh lens by blending financial principles with leadership realities, offering practical frameworks leaders can actually apply. From understanding why trust is rooted in safety—not charisma—to exploring the five questions every person is subconsciously asking before they trust a leader, this conversation challenges leaders to rethink how trust is built, sustained, and repaired.If you're leading in uncertain times, navigating team skepticism, or wondering why clarity and consistency matter more than ever, this episode will give you language, insight, and actionable next steps to lead with greater credibility and confidence.Key takeaways include:Why we're experiencing a “trust recession” in organizationsThe difference between likability and trust—and why it mattersHow predictability builds safety in both calm and stressful seasonsThe five questions people ask before they trust a leaderWhy trust is a learnable leadership skill—not a personality traitThis is a must-listen for leaders who want to strengthen culture, deepen influence, and lead in a way that earns trust over time—not just goodwill in the moment.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode, Jenni Catron explores five leadership and culture trends shaping 2026 and what they mean for leaders in organizations of every size. She begins with a conviction that development is now a non-negotiable—for employers investing in their people as a core retention strategy and for employees staying competitive in a rapidly evolving workplace. Jenni also addresses the growing need for human-AI synergy, helping leaders discern where AI can accelerate results and where cultures must double down on the uniquely human elements of work.From shifting dynamics in the job market to the competitive advantage of healthy, fully integrated culture plans, Jenni offers practical insight drawn from current research, reading, and real conversations with the leaders she serves nationwide. You'll walk away with perspective to start the year fresh, evaluate your own development plan, and take concrete steps using the LeadCulture Framework as a true “culture operating system” that aligns expectations, processes, and daily employee experience. Jenni closes with encouragement for 2026 and her word for the year—Believe—inviting leaders to dream bigger and build environments where teams can grow, thrive, and be unstoppable.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the LeadCulture Podcast, Jenni Catron explores the importance of starting where you are in building a thriving organizational culture. She emphasizes that leadership and culture are not “back burner” priorities—they directly impact engagement, productivity, and mission achievement. Jenni shares her guiding principle: simple and consistent—small, steady actions over time create lasting culture and leadership growth.She breaks down her definition of culture—clarity of who we are and how we work together to achieve our mission—and explains why clarity is the foundation of a healthy culture. Jenni highlights that people, not just goals or vision, are the linchpin for organizational success. She encourages leaders to ensure every team member deeply understands the mission and values through stories, behaviors, and consistent reinforcement, so they can confidently contribute.Finally, Jenni introduces the new LeadCulture Network, a resource for ongoing leadership and culture development, offering courses, coaching, live Q&A sessions, and a community of culture-minded leaders. The network is designed to help leaders simply and consistently invest in their team's growth and culture, ensuring mission success.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

You can have a compelling mission and a sharp strategy, but if your culture is unhealthy or unclear, your team will stay stuck. In this episode, Alan sits down with culture coach and author Jenni Catron to unpack why culture matters more than we think and how clarity becomes the foundation for trust, engagement, and healthy growth. Jenni shares her own journey from the music industry into executive church leadership, and the jarring contrast between a life-giving culture and a toxic one. She explains why leaders can't just “hope” for a great environment – they need a plan to build it with intention. They talk about the signs your culture is drifting, why people often go quiet long before they quit, how to invite honest feedback without losing your voice as a leader, and why patience and persistence are essential when you start changing long-standing patterns on your team. If you lead a staff, a volunteer team, or you're trying to rebuild a culture you inherited, this conversation will give you language, practical steps, and hope. In this episode you'll learn: Why great culture is really about clarity of who you are and how you work together How the environment leaders create can make or break team engagement The subtle warning signs your team has stopped believing their voice matters How to ask for feedback when some decisions aren't actually up for debate Why culture change takes 6–12 months of patience and persistence Simple rhythms (meetings, one-on-ones, shout-outs) that reinforce a healthy culture over time Healthy and high-impact leadership doesn't happen in a vacuum. It happens in cultures that are clear, honest, and aligned around the mission. This episode will help you take your next step in building that kind of environment. Jenni is the author of several books including Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence and The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership. She loves a fabulous cup of tea, great books, learning the game of tennis and hiking with her husband. Jenni can be found on social media at @jennicatron and at www.get4sight.com. Grab a copy of Culture Matters For more tools, coaching, and resources to help you become a healthy and high-impact leader, visit www.h2leadership.com. And if this episode was helpful, please like, rate, review, and subscribe to the H2 Leadership Podcast. Every review helps other leaders discover the show.

On this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron uncovers a critical mistake many organizations make: promoting top performers into management roles without preparing them for leadership. What seems like a reward can actually set both the employee and their team up for unnecessary struggle—and costly consequences.Jenni walks through:The mindset shift from doer to leader: Why effective managers lead through others rather than just completing tasks themselves.Why not everyone should be promoted into people management: Sometimes the greatest impact comes from leveraging an employee's strengths in their current role.The real cost of poor managers: Turnover, disengagement, and lost productivity can quickly add up to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.Practical strategies for executives: How to assess, equip, and support your managers to thrive and protect your culture.Key Takeaways:Prepare managers before promotion with structured training and coaching.Evaluate strengths to ensure employees are suited for people management roles.Monitor manager effectiveness through surveys, skip-level meetings, and ongoing support.Quantify the financial impact of disengagement and turnover to make leadership development a priority.Align promotions with organizational impact to maximize both employee contribution and business results.For executives, people managers are the linchpin of culture and performance. This episode gives a clear, actionable framework to strengthen leadership, retain top talent, and protect your mission—all while avoiding preventable mistakes that cost time, money, and morale.Build Your 2026 Leadership Development Plan with Jenni CatronWe need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron sits down with Randy Cochran, Senior Executive Pastor of Central Pastoral Development and Worship at Victory Church in Atlanta. Randy shares how his team has intentionally assessed and strengthened their organizational culture, especially during leadership transitions and in a multi-cultural, multi-site church environment with over 200 staff members and 140 nations represented.They dive into the power of taking a hard look at your culture, the importance of building cross-functional culture teams, and the lessons learned from assessing staff experiences. Randy candidly discusses the surprises and insights from their culture surveys, the value of creating shared language and values, and how intentional efforts can accelerate integration and engagement across an organization.Whether you lead a team of 5 or 500, you'll walk away with practical strategies to assess your culture, close gaps between aspirations and reality, and empower your people to thrive.Learn More About the LeadCulture Survey Here: https://www.get4sight.com/surveyWe need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the LeadCulture Podcast, Jenni Catron unpacks a surprising new Gallup study revealing what she calls “the remote work paradox.” While fully remote employees report the highest levels of engagement, they're also less likely to be thriving in life overall—experiencing more stress, loneliness, and emotional fatigue than their hybrid or in-office peers.Drawing from her own work-from-home reflections and years of coaching leaders, Jenni explores the delicate balance between autonomy and connection in today's hybrid workplaces. She highlights three key leadership takeaways from Gallup's findings:Physical distance creates mental distance—why remote employees need intentional connection rhythms.Autonomy can be stressful—how too much flexibility without structure increases cognitive load.Technology can frustrate—and what leaders can do to minimize coordination fatigue.Whether your team is remote, hybrid, or fully onsite, Jenni helps you rethink how to build engagement that doesn't cost wellbeing—and how to cultivate a culture where your people can be both engaged and thriving.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the LeadCulture Podcast, Jenni Catron dives into practical strategies for investing in your team—even when budgets are tight. Many organizations cut leadership development and culture initiatives first, but Jenni shows why those investments pay off in engagement, retention, and performance.You'll learn:How to evaluate and strengthen your people managers to drive culture and performanceSimple, cost-effective ways to invest in your entire staff's growthHow to build a culture plan that prevents drift and fosters alignment, trust, and clarityJenni also shares the surprising costs of disengagement and introduces the LeadCulture Network, the place where culture champions access every tool, resource, and training they need to build thriving team cultures—regardless of title or budget.Whether you're a culture champion or a leader looking for practical ways to invest in your people, this episode is full of actionable insights you can implement immediately.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Leadership feels heavy right now. Between global uncertainty, shifting workplace dynamics, and the emotional weight our teams carry, many leaders are feeling the strain — and the loneliness — that comes with responsibility.In this episode, Jenni Catron unpacks the weight of leadership and why it feels harder than ever to keep teams engaged. Drawing from her own leadership journey, Jenni shares what she's learned about navigating seasons of isolation, rediscovering your “why,” and finding the community you need to sustain the work of leading well.You'll learn:Why leadership feels heavier right now—and what to do about itHow to reconnect with your purpose when you feel drainedPractical ways to invest in your team's engagement and cultureWhy stewarding people is sacred work, not just strategic workThis conversation is an honest reminder that leadership is both a privilege and a responsibility—and that you don't have to carry it alone.Tune in for practical wisdom, encouragement, and tools to help you lead yourself well so you can lead others better.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this powerful episode of the LeadCulture Podcast, Jenni Catron sits down with executive business coach and former product designer Katie Richardson to unpack the intersection of leadership, identity, and faith. Katie shares her journey from designing award-winning products to building a multimillion-dollar international business—all while raising four children—and how she learned to lead without sacrificing what matters most.Together, Jenni and Katie explore:Why your identity—not your hustle—sets the ceiling for your impact.How to navigate seasons where personal values and professional ambitions seem in conflict.The unexpected lessons Katie learned building and exiting her company, and how they shape the coaching she does with high-performing executives today.A peek into her VITAL framework for leaders who want to grow thriving businesses without losing themselves or their relationships in the process.If you've ever wondered how to build a successful career or business without burning out—or how to align your leadership with your deepest values—this conversation will inspire and equip you.You can learn more about Katie here. We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron is joined by Dr. Barry Jones and Camille Holland from Irving Bible Church to explore the “Commit” phase of the Lead Culture Framework—a crucial stage in sustaining organizational culture.Culture isn't something you build once and forget. Momentum naturally fades, values get fuzzy, and behaviors can slip if leaders don't actively protect and reinforce the culture they've worked so hard to create. Barry and Camille share how they've navigated this challenge over the past two years, keeping their team aligned, engaged, and thriving—even through transitions and the occasional staff departure.Listeners will hear real stories of:How Irving Bible Church identified early warning signs of cultural drift.Practical strategies for rebuilding trust and maintaining relational connectivity across a team.How cultural convictions—values tailored to the organization—are reinforced through intentional rhythms, surveys, and even playful recognition like staff “trophies.”The importance of culture champions in sustaining progress and keeping conversations alive at every level of leadership.Lessons learned from maintaining momentum after the initial excitement of culture work fades.Whether you're a senior leader, middle manager, or emerging culture champion, this episode offers actionable insights and encouragement for keeping your team's culture alive, relevant, and aligned with your mission.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Every leader has the power to shape culture—but too often, it's left to chance, leaving teams disengaged and underperforming. In this episode, Jenni Catron dives into the equip phase of the LeadCulture Framework, showing how leaders at every level can take ownership of culture, equip their teams, and turn values and vision into action.Jenni shares practical strategies for developing your people managers, building culture playbooks, and onboarding your existing team to ensure your culture isn't just defined—it's lived every day. She emphasizes that great leadership is the single biggest factor in team engagement, referencing research from Gallup and Harvard Business Review to highlight how managers shape employee experience and long-term growth.Why You Should Listen:Understand why culture often fails despite good intentions—and what leaders can do to fix it.Learn practical ways to equip your leaders with the tools, skills, and confidence they need.Discover actionable steps you can implement immediately to strengthen your team's alignment and engagement.Hear stories and examples from organizations successfully operationalizing their culture.Major Takeaways:Leaders Make or Break Culture – The engagement of your team is heavily influenced by direct managers.Equipping is Key – Leadership development isn't optional; it ensures vision and values translate into daily behaviors.Simple, Consistent Actions Work – Start with small, repeatable steps to develop leaders, coach your managers, and reinforce culture.Onboarding Matters – Existing and new employees need clear guidance to embody the culture you define.Playbooks Are Your Sideline Guide – Use tools, visuals, and systems to make culture actionable and memorable.Leadership Philosophy is Foundational – Managers must see leadership as sacred work, focused first on developing people.LeadCulture Framework & Culture Matters Book – Jenni's roadmap for operationalizing culture LeadCulture Network – Community, training, and tools for culture champions.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the LeadCulture Podcast, Jenni Catron dives into the Define Phase of the LeadCulture Framework, where culture clarity becomes the driving force for thriving teams.Jenni sits down with Angela Shirley, an executive leader overseeing 70+ early childhood educators and 300+ students across multiple campuses. Post-pandemic, Angela faced burnout, high turnover, and the quiet undercurrents of negativity that can sink even the best organizations.Together, they explore how Angela:Discovered the hidden culture gaps affecting engagement, trust, and performanceCollaboratively defined core values with her entire team, turning abstract ideals into daily behaviorsCreated alignment and ownership across 150 staff members, giving voice to every employeeUsed core values to guide tough conversations, reinforce positive behaviors, and strengthen moraleTransformed culture into a competitive advantage, reducing turnover and building a thriving, people-focused workplaceThrough Angela's journey, leaders will see how intentionally defining values, beliefs, and behaviors isn't just “nice to have”—it's the key to turning hope into results, building alignment, and creating a culture your team chooses to stay for.If you've ever wondered how to move from aspirational culture statements to real, measurable outcomes, this episode is packed with insights you can apply immediately.Listen and learn: How to define your cultureAlign your teamLead with clarity, confidence, and intentionality.Check out Angela's full customer story here.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron shares why it's important to lead with the heart as well as strategy, and how developing the awareness to do both can be a challenge.Hear Jenni's full interview in Episode 128 of The Action Catalyst.

Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron shares “The Grand Commandment” and how it pertains to leadership, why it's important to lead with the heart as well as strategy, the value of creating a safe space for honest feedback, the delicate balance of being bold but respectful, the role of faith, and why leadership is sacred work.

As the summer of leadership series wraps up, we're diving deep into one of today's most urgent leadership challenges: effectively leading Gen Z. This special bonus episode features an exclusive conversation between Jenni Catron and Zach Meerkreebs, a seasoned pastor who has walked alongside Gen Z students during their formative college years. Zach brings a unique, frontline perspective on what it truly takes to engage, empower, and inspire this emerging generation in the workplace.Why does leading Gen Z challenge everything seasoned leaders thought they knew? Because this generation operates with a fresh mix of authenticity, high expectations, and a corrective spirit that's reshaping organizational culture. Zach unpacks the “why” behind Gen Z's motivations and the “how” executive leaders can create space for their voices, foster their growth, and cultivate a thriving multigenerational team.In this conversation, you'll learn:The defining values and leadership styles of Gen Z that every leader needs to understandHow empathy and consecrated curiosity can transform your approach to coaching and feedbackWhy paying the “leadership tax” for younger team members is an investment, not a costHow to set clear expectations while honoring authenticity and a hunger for meaningful impactReal-world insights from Zach's experience shepherding Gen Z through a powerful moment of revival and transformation in college ministryAbout Zach Meerkreebs: Zach is a pastor, leadership coach, and author who has dedicated his career to developing leaders and mentoring Gen Z students. Most recently, Zach led a historic spiritual movement at Asbury University, engaging tens of thousands of young people in a powerful awakening. His new book, Lower: How Humility Shapes Leaders and Transforms Culture, explores the role of humility as a leadership superpower in today's complex world.Where to connect with Zach & learn more:Grab Zach's book Lower to dive deeper into leadership and humilityFollow Zach on social media for ongoing leadership insights and encouragement. (Instagram)Visit the Barnabas Collective, Zach's nonprofit focused on leader renewal and growthIf you're leading Gen Z on your team — or preparing to — this episode is an essential listen. Let Jenni and Zach guide you through the challenges and opportunities of stewarding this next generation of leaders with clarity, confidence, and heart.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron wraps up our Summer of Leadership series with an essential conversation about the eight leadership skills that truly shape a healthy, sustainable culture — and why your culture plan needs to be as clear and intentional as your budget plan for next year.If you've followed along this summer, you know these aren't just “soft skills.” They're the building blocks of influence — practical tools that help leaders inspire trust, clarity, and momentum at every level of the organization.In this episode, Jenni recaps each skill:Self-Leadership:The hardest — and most crucial — person to lead is you.Emotional Intelligence:If you can't read the room, you can't lead the room.Communication:Clear, repeatable messages build trust and alignment.Decision-Making:Every choice shows your team what you really value.Delegation:Letting go creates trust — and margin.Accountability:Expecting the best shows you care.Feedback:It's not criticism — it's investment.Ownership:It's not a title — it's an attitude.You'll also hear fresh insights on why many leaders know these matter but still struggle to put them into action — and how to align your resources and rhythms to make culture stick for the long haul.Jenni shares eye-opening Gallup data that reveals just how costly disengagement really is — and how your investment in culture today can fuel retention, profitability, and purpose tomorrow.Finally, Jenni invites you into the brand-new LeadCulture Network — a community of like-minded leaders who want to keep growing, together.Ready to close the gap between the culture you have and the culture you want? Listen in — and start building your unstoppable culture today.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron takes a hard look at comparison vs. jealousy, what the differences are, and how fear lies at the bottom of both.Hear Jenni's full interview in Episode 26 of The Action Catalyst.

In this final episode of the Summer of Leadership series, Jenni Catron, CEO of the 4Sight Group, unpacks the leadership advantage that turns good cultures into unstoppable ones: ownership.Drawing from a powerful real-life story of Jamie — a nonprofit leader who turned around her disengaged remote team during COVID — Jenni reveals how taking responsibility for what you can control transforms teams from average to thriving.You'll hear why ownership isn't just another leadership skill — it's an attitude and commitment that shapes culture every single day. From clarifying roles to building trust and connection, Jenni shares practical questions and actions you can put in place now to help your team act like owners — not bystanders.You'll also learn:The timeless NASA janitor story and why it still matters for leaders at every levelWhy culture is shaped daily by how you show up — and how your team mirrors what you modelSimple check-in questions to strengthen team engagement and ownershipHow to build a culture plan that reinforces the best of your mission and valuesDon't miss this must-listen wrap-up that ties together the eight essential leadership skills from this series — and discover how the mindset of ownership can help your team grow, thrive, and become truly unstoppable.Tune in and learn how to lead yourself well, so you can lead others better — and build the culture you've always wanted.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode, Jenni Catron tackles one of the most misunderstood — and underused — drivers of a healthy team culture: accountability.Too often, leaders shy away from accountability because they fear conflict or discomfort. But when done right, accountability isn't harsh — it's an act of care that builds clarity, trust, and unstoppable momentum.Jenni breaks down why so many teams struggle with accountability, how it's directly tied to organizational clarity, and the simple habit every leader can use to make accountability work: asking, “Who's doing what by when?”If you want a culture where commitments matter, trust runs deep, and people deliver on what they promise, this episode will equip you to lead accountability in a way that helps your people — and your mission — thrive.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

The Uplift app is here! Try it free for 30 days   Today on Smart Girl Summer, I'm sitting down with my brilliant friend Jenni Catron—leadership guru, author, and the woman behind the Foresight Group, who'll make you rethink every meeting you've ever sat through.   Jenni doesn't just teach leadership—she lives it with clarity, conviction, and a whole lot of heart. She's here to help us ditch burnout culture and lead with intention (without losing our sanity or soul in the process).   We're talking about what actually fuels productivity (spoiler: it's not longer hours), how to recognize a toxic work vibe before it consumes you, and what to do when you're stuck in one but don't know your next move. Plus, the truth about team culture and why it's not just a buzzword—it's your secret sauce.   If you've ever felt stretched, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted by the pressure to lead well, this one's for you. Jenni's dropping wisdom that'll breathe life back into your leadership and clarity back into your calling. Timestamps:  (02:41) - The Biggest Myths About Leadership (03:46) - A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Life as a Leadership Coach (05:52) -If She Had to Start Over, What Would She Do? (16:50) - How to Stay Productive (Even When Motivation Is Missing) (21:28) - How to Navigate a Toxic Workplace Without Losing Yourself WATCH ALLI  ON YOUTUBE   Links to great things we discussed:    Jenni's Sunscreen Recommendations - Colorescience Tint UV Protective Foundation & Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Mineral Sunscreen Jenni's Tool Recommendation - ChatGPT   I hope you loved this episode!

Most leaders know feedback is important — but few know how to do it in a way that actually builds trust instead of fear.In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron unpacks why healthy feedback is one of the most generous gifts you can give your team — and how it can transform your culture from confusion to clarity.Jenni shares a practical framework for giving feedback that's relational, balanced, consistent, and thoughtful — so you can stop dreading tough conversations and start calling your team up to the culture you're building together.You'll learn:Why feedback connected to Core Values changes the tone and outcome of hard conversations4 essentials for feedback that builds trust (not walls)How to make feedback a normal rhythm, not a surprise attackPractical prompts to start a better feedback conversation this weekIf you want a culture where your team never wonders where they stand — and trust runs deep — this episode will equip you to lead the way.Mentioned in this episode:Culture Matters — Jenni's bestselling guide for building unstoppable teams through clear, intentional culture.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Culture strategist and leadership coach Jenni Catron takes a hard look at “clout killers”, and talks about exchanging fear for truth, comparison vs jealousy, combating a scarcity mentality, the duality of insecurity and pride, and how control means putting power over influence.

Struggling to delegate without feeling like you're giving up control? In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron unpacks the mindset shift every leader needs to build a culture of growth through effective delegation.You'll learn why delegation isn't about offloading tasks—it's a strategic leadership skill that develops your team and increases your capacity. Jenni shares the three traps that hold leaders back (pride, guilt, and control) and introduces a simple, powerful framework—“Only, Could, Must”—to help you evaluate what you should own, what you could release, and what you must let go.Whether you're overwhelmed or just holding on to too much, this episode will give you a clear path to delegate well, grow your team, and create unstoppable momentum.✅ In this episode, you'll discover:Why most leaders struggle to delegate (and how to break the cycle)The difference between dumping tasks and developing peopleHow to use the “Only, Could, Must” framework to clarify your highest and best contributionWhat delegation reveals about your culture—and how to use it to build trust and clarityWe need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron continues the Summer of Leadership series by tackling one of the most overlooked yet essential leadership skills: decision-making. Whether you're leading a small team or an entire organization, how decisions are made—and how clearly that process is communicated—can either build trust or breed confusion.Jenni outlines three keys to clear, confident decision-making:Define the Who – Clarify who has decision-making authority at every level.Align Decisions with Values – Ensure every decision reflects your organization's core values.Communicate the Why – Explain the rationale behind decisions to foster understanding and trust.This episode offers practical insights for leaders who want to bring more clarity, consistency, and cultural alignment to the decisions they make every day. Plus, Jenni shares simple next steps you can take to assess and improve your team's decision-making process right away.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

Most leaders think they're communicating clearly—but their teams feel confused, out of the loop, or even disrespected. Why the disconnect?In this episode of the Summer of Leadership series, Jenni Catron unpacks one of the most underestimated leadership skills: communication. But not just the tactical side—she explores how intentional communication is actually one of the most powerful ways you show respect to your team.You'll learn:Why poor communication is one of the top culture killersThe 3 questions every leader should ask before communicating anythingHow to build systems that ensure clarity and trustWhy emotional intelligence is just as important as informationSimple rhythms and tools that will make your team feel seen, supported, and alignedIf you want to lead a culture where people feel valued and connected, this episode is your roadmap.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

In this episode of the Lead Culture Podcast, Jenni Catron kicks off our Summer of Leadership series by spotlighting the most overlooked but foundational leadership skill: self-leadership. As leaders rise through the ranks, many realize they were trained to be led—but not necessarily to lead themselves. Jenni unpacks the personal and organizational impact of this shift, emphasizing how self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and disciplined routines form the bedrock of effective leadership.Through honest insights and practical strategies, Jenni challenges leaders to own their growth, model a growth mindset, and align daily behaviors with core values. You'll learn why organizational culture is shaped by how leaders show up every day—and how leading yourself well is the first step to leading others with clarity, confidence, and consistency.Whether you're stepping into a new role or seeking to deepen your leadership influence, this episode will inspire you to take meaningful ownership of your development—and remind you that growth is contagious.Key Takeaways:Self-leadership is the foundation of effective leadership.Leaders must shift from being led to leading themselves.Daily leader behaviors shape organizational culture.Growth mindset and ongoing learning are non-negotiable.Taking ownership of your development drives team success.Strong self-leadership boosts morale and retention.Growth is contagious—lead yourself to lead your team.We need your help to get the LeadCulture podcasts in front of more leaders! There are three simple things you can do that truly help us: Review us on Apple podcasts Subscribe - we're available wherever you listen to podcasts. Share - let your friends know about the podcast by sharing your favorite episode on social media!

This summer, leadership gets personal.In this kickoff to the Summer of Leadership series, Jenni Catron invites you into a focused season of growth—because leadership isn't just about strategy, it's about you.Leaders today are navigating more pressure than ever. And what your team needs most isn't a new policy—it's a more grounded, self-aware, communicative you. That's why Jenni is diving into the eight essential leadership skills that shape culture from the inside out:→ Self-leadership → Emotional intelligence → Communication → Decision-making → Delegation → Accountability → Feedback → OwnershipThese are the human skills that build unstoppable teams and thriving cultures. In this episode, Jenni outlines each one and explains why developing them isn't optional—it's essential.Whether you lead five people or five hundred, this episode is your invitation to reflect, reset, and re-engage with the habits that fuel healthy leadership.

As we head into summer—a season when team energy can dip and distractions rise—it's more important than ever to ensure your people feel seen, valued, and appreciated. In this week's episode, Jenni Catron breaks down why employee appreciation isn't just a feel-good bonus—it's a strategic leadership move that strengthens organizational culture, boosts motivation, and builds trust.Why this conversation matters now: According to Gallup, employees who feel recognized are 4x more likely to be engaged. Yet 65% of workers say they haven't received any form of recognition in the last year (Workhuman & Gallup, 2023). That's a gap leaders can't afford to ignore—especially as we enter a season where burnout and disengagement can quietly take hold.Jenni unpacks:✅ Why appreciation must become a cultural norm, not a calendar event ✅ No-cost strategies to increase motivation and belonging ✅ Creative ideas like “post-it parties” and gratitude rituals that leaders can start today ✅ How simple gestures—like handwritten notes—can shift the tone of your entire teamWhether you lead five or fifty, this episode will equip you with practical, meaningful ways to build a culture of gratitude—one action at a time.

What does it take to lead your team through massive shifts – without losing momentum, morale, or the mission? In this episode, Kelly is joined by leadership expert Jenni Catron, a former executive leader at major brands like Zondervan and Menlo Church, and the founder of The 4Sight Group.  Together, they unpack what it really means to lead with clarity, conviction, and culture when your business is going through change. From restructuring your org chart to reinventing your business model, this conversation gives you the tools to show up as the kind of leader your team needs now.  Jenni shares her proven 4 Dimensions of Leadership framework and offers real-world insight into how high-capacity teams stay aligned and energized – even in the middle of disruption. If you're undergoing massive restructuring or changes in your organization, this episode will help you navigate through this season of business.  Key Takeaways: Leadership isn't optional in disruption. Jenni explains why people don't just want direction—they want someone to believe in. The 4 Dimensions of Leadership. Learn how to lead with vision, strategy, people, and results to create lasting momentum. Overcommunicate on purpose. Your team needs clarity more than certainty. Reinforce values, vision, and next steps. Don't hide the hard. Jenni and Kelly both emphasize the importance of acknowledging challenges while pointing to possibility. Create alignment, not agreement. You don't need full consensus to move forward—but you do need everyone moving in the same direction. Culture is caught, not taught. Your tone, body language, and daily habits reinforce what's really important during transition. Don't lead like a manager. You're not just here to execute tasks—you're here to cast vision and carry people through uncertainty. Coaching > Coddling. High-performing teams crave clarity and challenge, not comfort. Timestamps: 02:30 – What Jenni sees in top-performing teams during transition 05:40 – The difference between change and disruption 08:10 – Kelly and Jenni on leading through organizational shifts 11:50 – How to reestablish trust and buy-in when everything changes 14:35 – Jenni breaks down the 4 Dimensions of Leadership 17:20 – Overcommunication as a leadership strategy 20:00 – The importance of rhythm, consistency, and modeling 22:45 – How to anchor culture without clinging to the past 25:30 – Why the CEO sets the emotional tone of the team 28:00 – Coaching through uncertainty while keeping expectations high Resources: Learn more about Jenni Catron and The 4Sight Group: https://www.get4sight.com/services  Get Jenni's book The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: https://www.amazon.com/Four-Dimensions-Extraordinary-Leadership-Strength/dp/1400205700?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jttTcSppQiFZBIlJf8ndDWszoeKqEl4Pw3H7Ng4gOoTS5Kq398ITrmboJ1YFiv8q.7cuLBshG8m7W4WI2IX0rTPlnRzr69zOxMaJbyWdnlWs&qid=1727906705&sr=8-1&linkCode=sl1&tag=jenncatr-20&linkId=d0bda6310cb520af81bceef26ae5e849&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl  The latest sales strategy that's producing massive business growth for our clients: https://youtu.be/1vKV8NQWjbY?feature=shared  SUBSCRIBE TO THE KAIROS NEWSLETTER: Faith leadership strategies to bulletproof your business and life that are delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. https://thekellyroach.com/kairosnewsletterorganic Follow Kelly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyroachofficial/ Follow Kelly on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelly.roach.520/  The Kelly Roach Show is your business podcast that gives you quick, actionable trainings for business growth, sales growth, and leadership. Kelly teaches about the entrepreneurial mindset and how to leverage building an unstoppable team with high performance strategies for rapid and sustainable business growth.  

Culture expert Jenni Catron joins the podcast to discuss the signs to look for that tell you whether your church or company culture is healthy or toxic. Plus, she shares the power of culture in retaining and attracting young talent and how to discover your blind spots as a leader.