Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast

Send us Fan Mail How does your church’s compensation compare? In this episode of the Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast, Michelle Hank and Ivette Naron walk through the 2026 State of the Church Compensation Report and discuss what the findings mean for church leaders. Join us for a conversation about compensation and how data can help you make informed decisions for your team. Download the report and follow along: https://www.vanderbloemen.com/resources/the-2026-state-of-the-church-compensation-report/

Send us Fan Mail Positive feedback sticks when it’s written down. Hard feedback lands better when it’s said face-to-face. In this episode, William digs into the conversations leaders tend to avoid, why some feedback should never be sent in an email, and how trust is built through honesty and clarity. He also answers listener questions on meetings, team buy-in, hiring, culture fit, and why leading people well rarely looks the same from one person to the next.

Send us Fan Mail How can churches embrace AI without losing the human side of ministry? William Vanderbloemen, Ed Stetzer, and Corey Alderin explore practical ways AI can save time, extend a sermon’s reach, and strengthen ministry—while keeping authenticity and ethical boundaries intact.

Send us Fan Mail Hiring and leading a team rarely come with simple answers. In this episode, William Vanderbloemen responds to real questions from leaders about running more effective meetings, knowing when to meet candidates face-to-face, navigating difficult conversations, creating team buy-in, and leading across generations. He also breaks down the role character, competency, and culture fit play in making a successful hire. Whether you are growing your team or working to lead your current one more effectively, this conversation offers honest, practical guidance you can put into action.

Send us Fan Mail From hiring decisions and culture fit to team meetings, accountability, and leadership communication, this episode explores the challenges leaders face every day and offers practical guidance for building healthier, more effective teams.

Send us Fan Mail Why does managing people feel harder than ever? William Vanderbloemen breaks down today's workforce challenges and shares practical advice for handling conflict, developing talent, and leading with wisdom.

Send us Fan Mail Many pastors feel pressure to grow bigger, but most churches are simply normal, not failing. Discover why healthy leadership, community, and faithful ministry matter more than size.

Send us Fan Mail Great teams don’t happen by accident, they’re built through trust, curiosity, and a willingness to learn from one another. In this conversation, we unpack what it looks like to work across generations, from earning trust as a young leader to empowering others with responsibility and clarity. It’s a practical look at asking better questions, leading with humility, and creating environments where both experience and fresh perspective are valued.

Send us Fan Mail As technology rapidly reshapes the workplace, the real question isn’t just what jobs will change, it’s what will last. This conversation explores how leaders can navigate innovation, adapt to evolving roles, and focus on the skills that truly set people apart. From embracing change to strengthening human connection, it’s a grounded look at what will matter most in the future of work.

Send us Fan Mail Why do some of the most capable, dependable people struggle once they step into leadership? In this conversation, we unpack the shift from being a strong doer to becoming an effective leader and why that transition is harder than most people expect. We talk about the tension of wanting to be liked while still making hard decisions, the challenge of handling criticism, and why so many new leaders struggle to delegate. There’s also a real conversation here around what it takes to stop doing everything yourself and start building trust in the people around you. That shift doesn’t happen overnight, but understanding it can change the way you lead.

Send us Fan Mail Starting a new job or stepping into leadership? This episode breaks down how to start strong, take initiative, and grow in your role. From asking better questions to understanding context and building trust, we’re sharing practical advice for early-career leaders and anyone navigating a new season of work.

Send us Fan Mail Patrick Lencioni joins William Vanderbloemen to make a simple point: you don't need to motivate harder, you need to place better. When work aligns with someone's natural strengths, engagement follows. This episode gives leaders language and clarity for putting people where they actually thrive instead of burning them out in the wrong roles.

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of the Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast, we sits down with, Brett Connolly Executive Search Consultant at Vanderbloemen, to talk about what it really takes to develop young leaders in ministry. Brett shares his personal journey from almost pursuing a career in sports marketing to discovering his call to ministry, and eventually stepping into his current role. Together they discuss why exposure is just as important as experience, how churches can avoid the "revolving door" of student ministry hires, and what senior leaders can do today to invest in the next generation. If you want practical insights on building leaders who last, this episode is for you.

Send us Fan Mail Leadership transitions do not have to be messy. In this episode of the Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast, Sarah Meggars, Executive Search Consultant and former worship ministry leader, shares practical wisdom for both sides of the handoff. We talk about building trust fast, entering a new role with a learning posture, normalizing succession planning, and why humility and self-awareness matter more than ever. You will learn: How to design a "crossfade" handoff instead of a hard cut Ways new leaders earn trust without stalling for six months Why authenticity in the interview process protects both sides · How to spot and develop future leaders long before you need them Simple steps to make succession a normal, healthy conversation Whether you are handing off, stepping in, or preparing your organization for what is next, this conversation will help you build, run, and keep great teams.

Send us Fan Mail 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.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Vanderbloemen Leadership Podcast, executive search consultant Ivette Naron shares practical and inspiring insights for leaders who want to think differently. From understanding the difference between problems and tensions, to using the "Six Thinking Hats" method for creative solutions, Ivette unpacks tools leaders can use to break out of the cycle of reactive problem-solving. Whether you're leading a church, nonprofit, or business, this conversation will challenge you to: Step out of the weeds and gain organizational altitude Create margin for reflection (not just reaction) Embrace feedback as a friend, not an enemy Build a culture that supports collaborative problem-solving If you're ready to lead with clarity and creativity, this episode is for you. 📖 Explore more leadership resources at vanderbloemen.com

Send us Fan Mail 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.

Send us Fan Mail 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.

Send us Fan Mail 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.

Send us Fan Mail 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.