How Leaders Think with Kenny Lange

What if the biggest threat to your leadership isn’t your strategy — but your need for control? In this episode of How Leaders Think, Kenny Lange talks with Randy Griffin, Chair at C12 North Texas, about the two “operating systems” leaders live from: fear and faith. They unpack why high-achieving Christian leaders can get results while quietly losing margin, peace, and joy — and how Jesus invites us into partnership, surrender, and formation instead of performance. If you’ve been trying to “optimize” your way to peace, this conversation will reframe what healthy, kingdom-minded leadership actually looks like.Listen on Other Platforms:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U= Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Randy Griffin Resources:Website: https://c12northtexas.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/texasfaith/Chapters:00:00 - The question you’re avoiding 00:45 - Welcome & Randy’s background 02:00 - Leaders are tired: no margin in soul 03:30 - “Optimize more” vs true rest 04:35 - Matthew 11: Jesus’ yoke & rest 07:30 - Two operating systems: fear vs faith 09:45 - Holy productivity vs burnout 12:00 - Loving work without losing your soul 14:15 - Moving from 1.0 to a new OS 17:25 - Recovery & control as addiction 20:10 - “Just enough” is the lie 22:00 - People are God’s highest value 27:15 - Leadership as formation 31:10 - Why success can block surrender 35:45 - 24-hour step: name it & share it 40:15 - How to connect with RandyHashtags:#HowLeadersThink #ChristianLeadership #FaithAtWork #LeadershipDevelopment

In this episode of How Leaders Think, Kenny Lange sits down with Preston Zeller (Founder of Psalmlog) to talk about how grief reshapes your priorities, relationships, and leadership.They unpack the “race to victimhood,” why pain can fuel either growth or entitlement, and what forgiveness actually looks like when life hits hard. Then they pivot into AI + biblical guidance—how to build responsible tools that support spiritual formation without replacing God, community, or wisdom.Listen on Other PlatformsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzhGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54bYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcastsWebsite: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Preston Zeller Resources Website: https://zellerhaus.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonzeller/ Instagram: prestonzeller Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6B0oUz6sfKs5IRicVFV0YbBooks Mentioned The Only Leader’s Worth Following — Tim Spiker #HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #GriefAndLeadership #ArtificialIntelligence

Most leaders say “people first,” but few build the systems to actually live it. In this episode, Kenny Lange sits down with Janelle Miller Moravek, Executive Director of Youth & Family Counseling, to unpack what it really looks like to care for your team so they can deliver great work—especially in high-demand, high-burnout environments.Janelle shares why middle management is the “secret sauce,” how they redesigned workload expectations, and what she’s learning about safety, rest, and sustainability as the pace of change accelerates. If you’re leading a business or nonprofit and want a healthier culture without losing performance, this conversation will give you practical angles to think from.Listen on Other PlatformsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U= Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Janelle Miller Moravek ResourcesWebsite: https://www.counselingforall.org LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-miller-moravek-903a815b/#HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleFirstLeadership #NonprofitLeadership

What happens to trust when AI can generate “smart-sounding” narratives at scale? Kenny sits down with Shane Gring (Founder of Certainly) to unpack why authority is shifting, why attention is becoming a commodity, and how leaders can stand out with a real point of view—not just polished content. They break down the difference between a course and a certification, what “high-integrity” credentialing actually means, and how to know when your expertise is ready to become a credential. If you’re building influence in a noisy market, this episode will help you create signal people can trust.Listen on Other PlatformsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzhGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54bYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcastsWebsite: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Shane Gring ResourcesWebsite: certainly.coopLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanegring/Hashtags#HowLeadersThink #Leadership #ArtificialIntelligence #Trust

In Part 3 of The Inner Loop Series, Kenny Lange closes the loop with Accountable—the reinforcement stage that helps transformation actually stick. You’ll learn why most change efforts drift (even with strong intentions), and how to build feedback loops that sustain growth without shame, micromanagement, or control. Kenny breaks accountability down at three levels—personal, team, and organizational—so you can strengthen follow-through, trust, and execution as complexity increases. If you’re stepping into a new year and want change that compounds, this episode gives you a simple framework to build around.Listen on Other PlatformsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzhGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54bYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcastsWebsite: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Hashtags#HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamAccountability #OrganizationalLeadership

Alignment isn’t about getting everyone to “agree”—it’s about designing shared commitments and operating rhythms that make transformation sustainable. In Part 2 of the Inner Loop series, Kenny breaks down what alignment looks like at three levels: the leader, the team, and the organization. You’ll hear practical examples of meeting rhythms, decision rights, communication norms, and strategy cascades that turn awareness into traction. If your plans keep stalling or your meetings feel like Groundhog Day, this episode gives you a clear path forward.Listen on Other PlatformsApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzhGoogle Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54bYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcastsWebsite: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/Hashtags:#HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamAlignment #OrganizationalLeadership

This insightful discussion kicks off with the critical role of awareness in effective leadership. Kenny highlights how many leadership breakdowns stem from poor diagnosis rather than execution failures. By sharing his personal blind spots and tools for self-awareness, he emphasizes that leaders must confront reality without shame. The conversation navigates through team dynamics, pinpointing communication gaps and the importance of role clarity. It also explores the systemic issues organizations face, advocating for alignment before action.

Cory Patton, a finance leader and founder of Just Abide Daily, discusses the power of slowing down for leaders. He highlights the cultural 'never enough' mentality that breeds hurry, contrasting it with the deeper substance of faith. Cory emphasizes how unhurried leadership fosters better decisions and relationships, and dispels fears that slowing down equals laziness. Drawing on biblical principles, he encourages leaders to align with Jesus for clarity and purpose, ultimately leading to more meaningful results.

Shronica Holmes, a visionary entrepreneur and care advocate, shares her inspiring journey in senior care and foster-care advocacy. She discusses the concept of 'resizing' life rather than downsizing, emphasizing the importance of quality over quantity. Shronica reveals her unique three signs rule for recognizing callings and how she helps leaders avoid burnout. With a focus on prioritizing peace over profit, she offers practical advice on effective delegation and finding the right mentors. This conversation is a treasure trove of wisdom for those seeking clarity in their leadership journeys.

Carrie-Ann Jasper Yearty, VP of People & Culture at Jasper Ventures, is passionate about merging faith and leadership to foster people-first cultures. In this engaging discussion, she emphasizes the importance of love in the workplace and shares her practices for creating a nurturing environment. Carrie-Ann highlights the significance of personal presence, divine interruptions, and adapting communication to individual needs. Her insights on workplace ministry and the Beyond Business nonprofit showcase a powerful mission to inspire meaningful change through faith-driven leadership.