Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast

In this episode of the Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast, William Vanderbloemen unpacks the rapidly changing landscape of communication, and what it means for pastors, heads of school, and nonprofit leaders. From the importance of contextualizing messages to embracing an omnichannel strategy and understanding the timeless power of emotional connection, William shares practical tips and real-world stories to help you become a more effective communicator in today’s noisy world. Whether you’re crafting Sunday sermons, leading a staff meeting, or reaching your community online, you’ll walk away with tools for communicating clearly, consistently, and meaningfully—across every platform and generation.

Ivette Naron, an executive search consultant at Vanderbloemen with 15 years of ministry experience, shares her insights on innovative problem-solving in leadership. She discusses the crucial difference between solving problems and managing tensions, emphasizing a strategic approach. Ivette also highlights the 'Six Thinking Hats' method, encouraging leaders to embrace reflection and feedback. Her advice promotes stepping back from daily operations to build collaborative cultures that foster creativity and clarity in decision-making.

Behind every thriving team is a leader who knows how to spot the signs of trouble and take action. In this episode, Vanderbloemen COO Jennifer Paulson shares practical wisdom for identifying “check engine lights” in team health, from gossip and disengagement to meetings after the meeting. Learn why tough conversations matter, how to lead with transparency and humility, and how to develop future leaders who can do the same. Whether you’re leading a church, nonprofit, or business, this conversation will help you create a culture of trust and accountability that lasts.

What Makes a Workplace Truly Attractional? What sets apart the organizations top talent lines up to join and what makes others struggle to attract anyone at all? In this episode, we sit down with Eric Albert, Senior Executive Search Consultant at Vanderbloemen, to talk about what really makes a workplace stand out. Spoiler alert: it’s not the stocked snack fridge or the trendy job title. We explore what makes a culture truly attractional, the hidden factors that push candidates away, and why mission statements don’t mean much without action. Eric shares practical ways leaders can create a healthier workplace culture and tells a powerful story of a church that recognized its unhealthy staff environment and turned things around. Whether you’re hiring now or preparing for the future, this conversation is full of insights on how to build a team people want to join and stay on.

In this episode of the Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast, William Vanderbloemen unpacks why the future of pastoral ministry isn’t about better preaching, trendier content, or digital strategy, it’s about returning to the roots of relational leadership. In a time when sermons can be streamed and content is everywhere, the greatest impact comes from something far more personal. AI might write sermons, but it can’t do pastoral care. Online church is helpful—but it’s the echo of the echo. The pastors people remember are the ones who showed up. Deep connection over drive-by engagement.  H2H (human-to-human) skills are the new essential leadership trait. Whether you're leading a church, nonprofit, or school, this conversation will help you rethink how you connect—and why the most meaningful ministry moments are still the most human.

In this episode of the Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast, William Vanderbloemen unpacks one of the most common but overlooked challenges in leadership: invisible lids. These growth limiters—whether personal, organizational, or team-related—often hold leaders back without them even realizing it. Growth lids are often invisible but real. Flexibility fades with time—stay intentional. Time management is a leader’s greatest asset. Mediocre hires = long-term team ceiling. Don’t settle—anticipate and outgrow your lids. Whether you're just starting out or you're decades into your leadership journey, this episode will help you name the lids that might be holding you back—and how to plan ahead to grow beyond them.

In this candid and insightful episode, William Vanderbloemen talks through one of the hardest parts of leadership—what to do when you’re fired, forced out, or just feel like your season is ending. From William’s teenage painting job to his years in ministry and executive search, he shares real stories and practical advice on how to navigate transitions with self-awareness, integrity, and hope. He discusses: Why few people admit getting fired—and why they should How to process your part in a job loss without shame Why how you leave will be remembered more than what you did Signs a firing or transition might be coming The surprising power of rest in avoiding failure What to do if you're burned out, broke, or in-between roles Whether you're leading a church, business, or nonprofit, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating a difficult season. Your setback could be God’s setup for your comeback.

In this episode of the Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast, Jared sits down with William Vanderbloemen to explore how church leaders can wisely navigate the rise of AI and other emerging technologies. From sermon preparation to staffing decisions, they discuss where AI fits into ministry—and where it doesn’t. Key discussion points include: AI in the Pulpit: Should pastors use AI to help build sermons? What’s ethical and what’s helpful? Human-First Ministry: Why the future of the church will depend on real human connection more than ever before. The Echo of Worship: What makes in-person ministry irreplaceable, even in a digital world. Hiring in the Age of AI: How churches and values-based organizations can future-proof their teams by investing in relationally gifted leaders. Tech-Savvy Leadership: Why every senior leader needs someone on their team who understands the digital landscape—and how to protect your data. Whether you're excited about AI or overwhelmed by it, this conversation will help you stay grounded in your mission while adapting to the future.

In this episode of the Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast, Jared sits down with William Vanderbloemen to talk about one of the toughest leadership decisions: knowing when it’s time to add a team member — and when it’s time to let someone go. Drawing on lessons from church plants, nonprofits, and businesses alike, William shares practical advice, honest stories, and leadership insights for navigating team changes wisely. Key discussion points include: The Volunteer to Staff Shift: How to know when a volunteer is too vital to leave unpaid — and why delaying can cost you. Living on Margin: Why operating with financial margin is crucial to growing your team the right way. Hiring Doers vs. Leaders: How recruiting, training, and retaining volunteers is the real engine behind church and nonprofit growth. Avoiding Cheap Leadership: Why underpaying (or over-relying on free labor) eventually backfires — and what Scripture says about honoring laborers. Building a Resilient Team: Why every leader needs a “vomit list” — and how to plan for the inevitable transitions ahead. Whether you're leading a startup, growing a church, or scaling a nonprofit, this conversation will give you practical tools for building a stronger, healthier team — one wise decision at a time.

In this episode of the Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast, Jared sits down with William Vanderbloemen to unpack why vision isn’t just a top-level conversation—it’s the fuel that drives every part of a healthy organization. From pop quizzes on vision statements to the concept of "uber vision," they explore why vision clarity at all layers of leadership is critical for building, running, and keeping great teams. Key discussion points include: Vision at Every Level: Why it's not enough for just the leadership team to know the vision—and how to make sure everyone from the receptionist to the CEO is aligned. Uber Vision vs. Vision: How setting a high enough North Star can create momentum that carries the whole team farther than ever imagined. Turning Vision into Action: Why casting big vision must be paired with clear, practical steps so teams don't feel overwhelmed but empowered. Navigating Changes: How the age and size of an organization affect how quickly (or slowly) vision shifts can happen—and why urgency matters. (For a deeper dive into leading through change, check out our episode Leading Through Change). The Power of Repetition: How Aristotle’s principle of “reminding people of what they already know” helps leaders reinforce vision without sounding redundant. Vision and Organizational Growth: Why understanding the founding heartbeat of an organization can help you contextualize vision for the future. Whether you're leading a startup, a growing team, or a historic organization, this episode will help you sharpen your vision-casting skills, energize your team, and swing the pendulum farther toward meaningful impact. Resources Follow William on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wvanderbloemen/ Follow Vanderbloemen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanderbloemen/ Subscribe to the Vanderbloemen YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@vanderbloemensearchgroup