Homers Leadership Podcast

Big thought: It’s common to read even passages of scripture that are powerful yet feel like your audience isn’t connecting to it. Oftentimes it’s not as much as what we are talking about as it is how we are talking about it. As leaders and communicators, we have to learn how to better develop our storytelling abilities so that we can help people to visualize what the passage is saying. In today’s episode, we’re going to learn how to utilize moments and stories in a way that is memorable and meaningful. We’re going to learn how to connect people's emotions to the story by building value through context. And we’re going to unpack ways to make these different stories relatable to calls to action. The reason that this topic is so important is because we are able to make substantially more impact through our stories across the board. Whether it’s recruiting volunteers, getting people to sign-up or inspiring people to donate, meaningful and connected stories have been proven to bring about greater participa

Big thought: Many leaders carry vague ideas of different recordable metrics in their heads, and many times their ideas of these numbers give a false perception of what success looks like. A leader can be making a valuable impact in people’s lives while thinking that they aren’t making a difference at the same time. Someone can go through a slow down period and think that all of their efforts were for nothing just because of their confusion on how numbers work. Today we’re going to talk about the importance of recording and understanding numbers. We’re going to talk about the ways that it is helpful and how you can use them to your advantage. We’re also going to talk about the mental dangers of recording numbers and how to avoid common mistakes. This topic is so important to talk about because many people have an idea about recorded numbers but don’t really fully understand how to utilize them. And many have replaced their whole spiritual motivation by chasing after the numbers instead. We have to learn how

In this episode, we're joined by Abe McIntyre, a remarkable individual who, after overcoming addiction, became a leader in the field of recovery at the San Antonio Recovery Center. Abe's personal journey as a recovering addict has uniquely positioned him to provide leadership and inspiration to others on the path to recovery. Discover how Abe leverages his lived experience to lead and guide individuals through the recovery process. We explore the challenges and opportunities of leadership in this human-centric field, shedding light on the potential for compassionate leadership to enhance organizational outcomes and provide unique care for people. Tune in to learn some valuable insights from Abe's personal transformation and leadership in recovery. — Leave a rating and review for this show! TAP HERE to connect with Homer or visit https://www.homerhargrove.com Follow on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok by searching @homerdh3 SHOP merch on https://www.homerhargrove.com/shop --- Support this

Big thought: Connecting with people is often easier said than done, and many people psych themselves out of it before they even get the chance to try. Building rapport is one of the most coveted skills in almost any business or organization. It seems to be the essence of being a people’s person, but it is actually so much more than that. It is building trust for the brand in which you represent. It is helping connect people’s needs to a solution. It is even simply being a genuine friend who cares. Today we’re going to talk about the practical ways to connect with people by building rapport with them. I’m going to show you why building authentic connections is so important. I’m going to share with you helpful tips on how to build trust before even using any words. And I’m also going to give you a four step formula that you can use on your own to build rapport with new people you meet. The reason that this topic is so important to talk about is because so many people struggle with the idea of building rappo

Big thought: Deciding whether you want to stay or leave a workplace is one of the most difficult and confusing decisions you can make. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lost as to what to do as you go back and forth between what you think are the pros and cons. And it’s even more confusing when you’re wondering if you’re supposed to stay or go according to God’s will. You ask yourself over and over, “what if God wants me to stay?” or “what if I’m supposed to leave and just trust God?” The “what if’s” seem endless as you feel like you’ve made no progress closer to making a decision even though you’ve spent so much time thinking about it. Today we’re going to talk about the moments in which we struggle with the decision to either quit or stay at their current job. We’re going to unpack how to identify when you’re unhappy at your current job and why. We’re going to talk about the differences between gaining experience and establishing a career. And we’re going to talk about how you should never exchange your dr

Big thought: A leader’s organizational skills are pivotal within an organization or ministry because everyone else that you’re leading is dependent on your level of clarity and sophistication in handling business. When you finish something last minute, someone else is now more stressed over their role because you didn’t organize enough time. Your level of organization affects your volunteers, staff, marketing opportunities, potential impact and so much more.  Today we are going to talk about the aspect of personal organization as a leader. We’re going to learn about how it can either stall or accelerate your success. We’re going to talk about specific areas that you should get organized in and why, and I’m going to give you 7 practical tips to help you get organized. So many high potential leaders end up settling for mediocrity because they never changed their level of organization or implemented systems in order to sustain moments of growth. It’s not that they are bad leaders, it’s simply that they needed to

Big thought: Procrastination is one of the most damaging traits to have because not only does it typically stain your presentation, but it builds up anxiety for a special moment that you should actually be excited about. Instead of being able to appreciate the privilege of responsibility, you feel like an imposter who isn’t ready for the task.  Today we are going to talk about how to find your mental zone when preparing for a talk, big event or anything meaningful that requires a good head space. We’re going to unpack the practical things that you can do to help stifle procrastination and writer’s block. And we’re also going to learn some tips and tricks that will help you on the day of whatever you’re preparing for. People don’t typically put off preparation because they don’t care about it. They actually care so much about what they need to prepare for that they feel overwhelmed and stuck, to the point of feeling like they aren’t ready enough in the single moment to begin preparing for something so signific

Big thought: One of the biggest mistakes that I made early on in ministry was neglecting the potential of meaningful relationships and networks of people that I was a part of. At the time, I had a mixture of trauma led isolation and pride that made me believe that I didn’t necessarily need other people in my life to do what God had called me to do.  While that can be true to some extent, the reality is that no one is meant to do things alone. When we allow ourselves to connect with other people, w e are able to have exponential results and possibilities for ourselves and our ministries. The combination of servanthood, humility and collaboration helps build bridges between where we are and where we want to be. Today We are going to learn different reasons as to why growing a network is helpful. We are also going to unpack the idea of building your network in a healthy and practical way. And most of all, we’re going to look at how growing your network can be edifying to both you and your organization. 1. Colla

In this episode, we talk with Harry Benard about how he found his unique niche of ministry after he combined student ministry and his barbershop. For the past 14 years, Harry's journey began with cutting hair, evolving into a seasoned barber with 2 years of professional expertise. Beyond being the proprietor of Lifestyle Haircare, he proudly spearheads Madison East High School's inaugural barbering introductory course, nurturing the aspirations of budding students keen on mastering the art of barbering. Celebrating 11 years of marriage as of December 11th, Harry finds himself a doting father to five daughters, each bearing a middle name whose initial comes together to spell his own name, H.A.R.R.Y. Amidst these fulfilling roles, he serves as a devoted youth minister within his local church, seamlessly blending his role as a barber with his passion for guiding and inspiring the youth. You can connect with Harry by following him on Instagram @lifestyle._.haircare — Leave a rating and review for this sh

Big thought: Many times in early leadership, we want to break the status quo by shaking things up. We feel ambitious and determined as we are set on making a difference. But, it’s easy for that passion to fizzle out once nothing necessarily seems to change and the people around us are more irritated by us than grateful for us.  Today, we are going to talk about the power of consistency and how it should be the foundation to keep you grounded amongst opposition and difficult times. Consistency helps you to endure when it seems like nothing is changing or working. The reason that this is so important to talk about is because many leaders are doing the right things, or at least trying to, but doubt themselves when they don’t see the results and give up prematurely. I want to help you to see the light at the end of the tunnel by showing you the strength and connection of consistency with faith. — 1. Understanding Raw Consistency Consistency is enduring the course that was set no matter what. That means when facin

In this episode, I share an audio excerpt from a talk that I gave at a secular recovery event. Not only do I share my own story of recovery, but I share the Gospel through my story even though I wasn't technically allowed to preach the Gospel. Take away: 1. Think creatively about how to present the Gospel in ways that fit into limiting spaces that typically don't allow it. 2. Be open minded in HOW you communicate. Learn the language of your audience so that you can better connect with them. 3. Be respectful of the time that you're given! Practice your talk and delivery so that you do not go over the time limit that you were trusted with. – Leave a rating and review for this show! TAP HERE to connect with Homer or visit https://www.homerhargrove.com Follow on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok by searching @homerdh3 SHOP merch on https://www.homerhargrove.com/shop

Big thought: Meetings within organizations can feel like life or death! While it sounds overly simple at first, learning how to hold and lead a productive meeting is crucial to your leadership.  When done effectively, it can help build clarity, community and collaboration. When done dis-orderly, it can drain vitality, discourage morale, and distort the vision of the team. In this episode, we’re going to unpack the ways in which meetings can make or break your team. Then, I’m going to give 7 tips to help you with your next meeting! The reason that this topic is so important is because many times we somewhat fall into leadership and were never necessarily trained on how to do the in-between stuff. While you may just figure it out on your own, a lot of leaders still struggle with the seemingly mundane yet necessary parts of leadership like meetings. My goal in this episode is to equip you in the basic elements so that you can continue to excel in the unique elements that are specific to you.  The Unexpected Pot

Big thought:  Ministry can quickly take a toll on your marriage if you’re not careful. Many marriages experience difficult times, regardless of you doing ministry or not. But, there are certain aspects of ministry that have the potential to create specific problems within a marriage. Many great marriages have been damaged and even broken because of the unexpected toll that ministry brought into it. Today, we are going to talk about common pitfalls within marriage that can be caused by ministry life. I’m going to share with you some tips to help you avoid these problematic situations and I’m going to give you direction on how to respond to certain issues when they come up. The reason that this is so important is because your marriage should be your safe haven from the stress and demands of this world, but if left unprotected, it can easily turn into a swamp that collects all of the negative emotions and junk from life and ministry. You must learn how to protect yourself and your marriage so that you can experi

Big thought:   One thing that comes with the role of being a leader is being heavily criticized. You become the focal point of the organization with a fish bowl effect, and some people will feel no hesitation in voicing their disagreements on how you handle certain things. While many aspiring leaders expect some criticism from the role, I think that many are surprised by who ends up getting upset, what they’re upset about and how they go about voicing their criticisms. In this episode I’m going to unpack some clearer expectations that you can have as a leader when it comes to criticism, I’m going to show you how to filter the criticism in a healthy way, and I’m going to share my ideas on how you should respond to these instances. The reason that this is so important to talk about is because many leaders end up getting blind sided by certain criticism. It’s easy to respond out of emotion in a way that doesn’t necessarily positively represent your leadership. And even worse, many leaders get overwhelmed at t

Big thought:  An important aspect of leadership is recognizing how others perceive you. You should actually care about how others see you (to some extent) because, to some degree, it reflects your leadership. Today, we are going to talk about how to build part of your personality and rapport as a leader. We are going to talk about how to balance being authentic while still being gracious, we are going to unpack how to take responsibility without always taking the fall, and finally, we’re going to talk about how to be confident while still being humble. 1. Please use discretion. A lot of people think that in order to be “real” you have to be rude. It’s simply not true. Learning discretion is pivotal if you want to become a leader that people can have respect for. This also goes hand in hand with learning how to say what you want to say in a way that is appropriate. It requires you to really think before you speak, but the more that you practice this kind of discretion, the quicker and better you will get at i

BIG THOUGHT:  It’s easy to feel overwhelmed from all of the suggested advice or steps when it comes to experiencing success in leadership or ministry. You can truly waste hours, days and months chasing the “new” idea on ministry or leadership but I believe there are simple and consistent principles that you can apply to your role without having to compromise your character, personality or vision. Today, we are going to unpack 3 of these principles that will help you to form a foundation of leadership while still keeping your own creative individuality.  1. SHOW UP. When it comes to showing up, I believe the 80/20 rule applies. While this philosophy is pretty common, it’s surprisingly accurate. 80% of success can be achieved by simply showing up. That’s it. If you show up consistently, you will see results. You’d be surprised how many people simply can not do this. I’ve seen it in blue collar workplaces, sales, and ministry. Many people simply don’t show up enough consistently. But when you show up enough tim

Big thought:   Accountability usually sounds restrictive to the person who is being accountable because can make you feel like you are putting yourself in a box or positioning yourself to having to ask permission. But that is not what we are talking about today. Choosing to find someone to be accountable to is choosing to ask someone to help you achieve greater results in your life and leadership. In today’s episode, I’m going to explain what healthy accountability should look like (and not look like) and then I’m going to unpack the two main reasons as to why you should seek out accountability. 1. What Accountability IS and ISN’T.  In order for accountability to really work, you have to actually talk to someone on a regular basis. You may even want to have different layers of accountability, each with a different person who helps you. For example: someone you check-in with daily via text; someone you check-in weekly with a 30 min phone call; someone you check-in monthly with an 1hr phone call; someone you

Big thought:   One of the most common pains in leadership is IMPOSTER SYNDROME. People constantly think that they have to be somebody else in order to be successful, but it’s simply not true. The more that you try to pretend to be someone else, the more stunted your leadership impact will be. When you allow yourself to be authentic, you will reach people who only you would be able to reach.  “People would rather follow someone who is always real rather than someone who is always right.” - Craig Groeschel  There is a healthy balance of being genuine while still working to become a better version of yourself. We can pursue change while at the same time remaining true to ourselves. In Today’s episode, I’m going to share from my own experiences of imposter syndrome and unpack some guiding principles to help you navigate your own journey of becoming an authentic leader that reaches the people that no one else would be able to reach. 1. Break the mold.  It’s easy to fit in when we deny who we are. Learning what gu

Big thought:  Hosting an event can be either exciting or terrifying depending on whether or not you know what you're doing. When you lead your first event, you quickly realize that it's a lot easier said than done because of how much work it takes and because of how many details are easy to forget about. Today, I'm going to give you some essential event planning lessons to help you in making a greater impact with your next event! It will equip you in both regular event that you have and potential bigger stand-alone events that you may have in the future.  The reason this is so important is because there are many events (and I mean MANY events) that appear to be out right sloppy and uninspiring! Not only is it a disappointing for the people that you want to reach, but it is discouraging for you. Even though individuals put so much work, time and energy into it, they almost feel like it was for nothing or not worth it because it didn't meet the expectations. You have VISION, you just may need so

Big thought: One of the first things that generally happen when a new person is put in charge is them changing the name. Our first instinct is to take a sense of possession over the organization or ministry by renaming it and changing it to fit our personality. The reason this can be very unproductive and even dangerous is because it is done out of ego rather than critical thinking. Today we’re going to unpack some of the first things that you should do (and not do) within your first year of being in charge. This is such an important topic because it will save you loads of time and energy, making you more efficient and effective during your intro season to leadership.  We’re going to focus on 3 major aspects of this kind of introductory leadership: Time Investment, Culture Molding, and System Efficiency. While each of these topics could be individual episodes of themselves, today I’m going to give you a simple overview to get you started. 1. Time Investment - Understanding your timeline better helps you to u