Author: hcarmstrong
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10 Leadership Books That Are Reshaping My Approach

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. -Proverbs 15:22 As part of my Doctor of Ministry program, I worked through ten formative leadership texts, each approaching leadership from a distinct angle—organizational, emotional, spiritual, cultural, and ethical. Read together, they offered far more than techniques. They reframed what leadership actually is and what…
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A Prayer of Release and Renewal

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,…
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The God Who Guides

Do you feel called to do something great, but also feel like you’re stuck right now? David understood this posture well. Psalm 32 reminds us that before guidance came humility. After David stopped trying to hide from God, God responded with a promise in verse 8: “I will instruct you and teach you in the…
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The True Solution

Good leaders understand the need to walk with others in handling their emotions. The best supervisors know how to intuit the feelings of others so they can respond with the right level of care and concern. Impactful leaders are skilled in offering a listening ear, helping others clarify their thoughts, and providing sound counsel or…
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Why We Recognize Black Excellence

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” -Romans 12:21 On a recent trip to Atlanta I spent some time in the suburb of College Park. After a good southern meal of chicken and waffles, I decided to take a walk. While strolling down Main Street, I came across several murals that…
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Cohort Learning as Discipleship

Good experiences are better when they are shared with others. This is what the Legacy Leadership Cohort (LLC) is all about. The LLC, coordinated by Kathairo and Restore St. Louis, is a leadership development experience for a small group of African-American leaders. It is focused on faith, cultural awareness, and applying the best practices of…
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Self-Care is Not Selfish

If you lead people, you likely spend a lot of time helping others manage their emotions — calming tensions, offering perspective, giving hope. It’s vital work, but it’s also heavy work. Over time, that emotional weight can quietly wear you down if you never pause to tend your own soul. Leaders who care deeply for…
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Dynamic Leaders Are Often Misunderstood

Dynamic Leadership Series Part 8 (Read the first post here) Have you ever felt misunderstood as a leader? Welcome to the club. Especially in senior roles, misunderstanding isn’t the exception; it’s the norm. Leadership often places you in rooms where the full picture can’t be shared, where decisions carry unseen context, and where your motives…
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Leading with Peace in a Pressured World

Dynamic Leadership Series Part 7 We live in an anxious world—one that rewards speed, certainty, and constant reaction. Every headline, meeting, and message seems to demand an instant response. But one of the most underrated leadership superpowers is the ability to stay—to remain calm, kind, and intentional when everything around you feels unsettled. Staying doesn’t…
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Adaptive Challenges Require Adaptive Prayers

Adaptive challenges don’t yield to more of what we already know. They call for new wisdom, new skills, and fresh perspectives — and for prayers that shape us as much as they ask God to shift our circumstances. Below is a short, practical rhythm you can use when you’re stuck in complexity. Use it alone,…