How to Lead With Your Life

Ten men.
Two hours.
Twice a month.

For me, it’s one of the richest rhythms of my month.

I have the opportunity—no, the privilege—to meet regularly with three different groups of men who are relentless in becoming more formidable spiritual leaders. Each of these brothers—each a leader in their own right—have carved out space in the middle of very full lives. Their singular purpose is to deepen their capacity and commitment to leading with their lives.

Their stories look different. Their responsibilities vary. But underneath it all, they share a singular passion: to be Rock-Solid on the inside and dangerous for the Kingdom on the outside.

When we gather, we open the Scriptures.
We share our journeys.
We pray.
We confess.
We discuss.
We probe and ponder and reflect.
We ask hard questions.
We tell the truth about our failures.
And we celebrate every sign of Spirit-authored progress.

At the center of all of this is a shared pursuit to discern—honestly and tangibly—what it means to lead with our lives. Not theoretically. Not aspirationally. But in the gritty, everyday realities of life and leadership. We all have come to realize that our greatest asset is not our resumes or our accomplishments or our portfolios—but rather, it’s the overflow of God in our lives and through our lives.

One of the ways we do this is by crafting what we call “single-sentence statements.” Simple lines. Hard-won truths. It is our shared lexicon of what it looks like to live and lead from the inside out.

Over the years, I’ve collected these statements. They have become a source of encouragement and recalibration for me—touchstones that pull me back to center. I pass them along with the hope that they will do the same for you.

I lead with my life when…

• I allow God to move me from my agenda to His.
• My intake is greater than my outpour.
• My leadership flows from Sabbath and solitude.
• I set aside my preferences to meet the needs of another.
• My service for God is not fueled by the applause of men.
• I recognize that the power of Christ works best in my weakness.
• I first sit in God’s presence before I act on His behalf.
• I care more about my character than my credentials or my platform.
• I embrace my leadership role as a stewardship, not an entitlement.
• I care less about position and more about influence.
• I refuse to let my work for Christ replace my communion with Christ.
• I deal honestly with my past—its pain and its baggage—so that I might more fully give myself to the future.
• God’s presence is the distinguishing mark of my leadership.

Chuck Olson
Founder | Executive Director
Lead With Your Life