LeaderWise

10/20/2026

Disagreements are inevitable. Going beyond the surface issue to become curious about what the issue represents opens the possibility for a different conversation. Sarah Parker, LMFT, offers questions that can help partners understand underlying issues in a conflict to make room for both people in the conversation. Conflict can be a meaningful part of being in relationship. Read more here to discover tools and strategies for navigating partner conflict. - https://mailchi.mp/leaderwise/fighting-fair

10/16/2026

Mark will continue to provide therapy through LeaderWise on a part-time basis. "This isn't just a continuation of work," he describes, "it is a conscious choice to do what I love."

After 22 years as executive director, 3 years as a co-director, and the past year as a staff psychologist, Mark Sundby shares he is "thrilled with this transition" to official retirement. Mark will continue to provide therapy through LeaderWise on a part-time basis. "This isn't just a

10/13/2026

Because conflict is an inevitable part of ministry, assessments like the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) expand the range of responses to conflict and allow clergy more flexibility and greater chances for success. Discussing TKI results with a staff psychologist or in our Confidence in Conflict workshop helps clergy understand and develop conflict management skills. The TKI assessment offers clergy greater agency in navigating conflict. - https://mailchi.mp/leaderwise/navigating-conflict

10/09/2026

Today is A LOT. Yesterday was A LOT. So was the day before that. Each and every day news and events are coming at us that elevate our anxiety and kick off our nervous system.

That's why the Trauma-Informed Leader Workshop is essential for all of us who are leading teams and organizations in this time. We need to understand how anxiety, stress, and trauma are operating in us and how to create communities that integrate healing and ground us in resilience.

Join LeaderWise on October 28-29, 1 - 3:30 pm Central for this transformative workshop. Open for all leaders with specific focus for values-based and faith-based leaders.

Register and share with your colleagues: https://www.leaderwise.org/workshops-programs/trauma-informed-ministry-10-2026

Photo by Jason Thompson on Unsplash

10/06/2026

Between unhealthy peace and unhealthy conflict is honest, productive conflict that can foster greater connection and strengthen our capacity to stay in relationship with one another even when we disagree. Sometimes faithful leadership means resisting the temptation to smooth things over and instead helping people remain present to one another long enough to have the conversation that matters. - https://mailchi.mp/leaderwise/art-of-fighting

09/29/2026

Leading organizations in anxious times, we must understand how people react to anxiety, stress, and trauma, including ourselves. It is up to leaders to create psychologically safe environments for our people to convert a resting state of anxiety into connection, meaning, and resilience. It requires leaders to cultivate awareness in ourselves, in our relationships, and across our communities. The 21st century leader must lead from a trauma-informed perspective. - https://mailchi.mp/leaderwise/trauma-informed-leadership

09/23/2026

The dynamics of our culture and context often get in the way of building psychologically safe environments. Human beings evaluate others’ expressions of doing and being by our own cultural and contextual norms. We may label it as “weird” or “other.” However, when we label another as “other” in our communities or work places, it prevents us from creating psychologically safe environments. When things get “weird,” LeaderWise offers simple guidance for meeting the moment. - https://mailchi.mp/leaderwise/context-culture

09/16/2026

Reminder: LeaderWise is holding an Info Session on Reflective Pastoral Supervision (RPS) tomorrow: Thursday, September 17 at 1 - 2:30 pm CT.

Faith Leaders need a psychologically safe space to explore the vast and complex issues that come up in ministry. RPS is just that place!

Learn more:

Reflective Pastoral Supervision (RPS) provides clergy with space to step back and reflect with curiosity on their work to deepen awareness of how they are experiencing and responding to their work. RPS strengthens both insight and integrity over time, and supports ministry leaders in fostering proac

09/15/2026

LeaderWise is acutely aware of the weight and responsibility of our work. We want to know how you function in ministry work, to identify your strengths and areas for ongoing development, and help you understand the roles and settings that will best suit your authentic self. This article shares ideas for addressing psychological safety when you are going through a vocational assessment. - https://mailchi.mp/leaderwise/assessment-am-i-safe

09/08/2026

Social scientist Dr. Elizabeth Dunn advises to think about giving as a source of pleasure. Dr. Dunn’s research reveals that when people give to an organization AND when they see the outcome of their giving, it brings them joy. Guest writer Pete Reuss invites congregations and organizations to illustrate the impact of donors’ giving. How can an organization’s mission inspire people to give? Read Pete's article about fundraising in a time of scarcity here: https://mailchi.mp/leaderwise/talk-about-money