NORTHBOUND: Executive Leadership Coaching

Start Here! - Northbound Action Study (Audio Version)

Northbound Podcast — Action Study: Leadership When Plans Break (Start Here!) What do you do when the plan breaks, the conditions aren't perfect, and your team lands "off course"? In this Northbound Podcast Action Study, Chris builds on the previous audio episode (Start Here) with a practical leadership lesson drawn from D-Day, June 6, 1944 — specifically the landing at Utah Beach and the decisive leadership of General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. When troops landed at the wrong location, Roosevelt's response became a leadership moment that still teaches today: "We'll start the war from right here." This episode explores what decisive leaders do under pressure — and how you can build those traits before the pressure hits. Because the truth is: you don't magically rise to the occasion… you often fall to the level of your preparation. That's why this episode focuses on turning insight into action, not just information. In this episode, you'll learn: * Why bold, timely decisions create opportunity (and indecision creates vulnerability) * How to lead when plans break and outcomes are uncertain * The traits of decisive leaders: competence, courage, servanthood, security, responsibility, initiative, character, commitment, discernment, and problem-solving * Why leadership includes emotion — but your response must be decisive * Practical action steps to build decisiveness through: * Skill development and preparation * Identity and security as a leader * Ownership, trust, and responsibility * Practicing "fast decisions" (assess → decide → act → track) * Strengthening courage daily through hard conversations, boundaries, and costly yeses Key takeaway: You will land off course at times. Plans will break. Conditions won't be perfect. The leadership question is simple: Will you hesitate—or will you advance? Join the community If you want to go deeper and apply these lessons with other leaders, join the Northbound Approach Community on Skool. [https://www.skool.com/northbound/about] It's where we discuss episodes, share action steps, connect with other members, and grow together. Join the Northbound Approach Community on Skool — link in the episode description. Go Northbound. WATCH THE VIDEO ON YOUTUBE [https://www.youtube.com/@NorthboundSolutions]

Start Here! - Leadership When Plans Break

Join the Northbound Community Here. [https://www.skool.com/northbound/about] On D-Day, General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. landed nearly a mile off course at Utah Beach. The plan had already broken down. They weren't where they were supposed to be. In that moment, he made a decision that defined leadership: "We'll start the war from right here." In this episode, we unpack what it takes to make bold, timely decisions when life, leadership, or ministry doesn't land where you planned. You'll learn the 10 traits required for decisive leadership — including competence, courage, servanthood, character, discernment, and initiative — and why none of them can be faked under pressure. We also walk through practical action steps to help you build those traits: * How to develop real competence * How to strengthen courage daily * How to know your identity in Christ * Why listing the people you serve changes how you lead * And how prepared character matters more than perfect conditions Your life won't land exactly where you expected. The question is: will you hesitate… or will you advance? Let's build the kind of leadership that starts from right here.

Hard Pass First - Leadership Action Study (Audio Version)

This is another Northbound Action Study that builds upon a previous podcast episode titled Climb The Hard Pass First [https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/39628395] Watch the video version on YouTube! [https://youtu.be/oVegEArHb6o?si=iO8B9Dd6WGZBz-aW] Leadership isn't a checklist — it's terrain. And some parts of that terrain are just hard. If there's a conversation or decision you've been avoiding, you're not alone. Most leaders do it at some point. It can feel like you're protecting your energy by delaying it, but in reality, avoidance usually makes things heavier. The pressure doesn't go away — it just sits there in the background. Real leadership momentum is psychological before it's operational. Easy wins can feel good, but they often delay the progress that actually matters. Confidence doesn't come before action — it comes because of it. And those hard moments you'd rather sidestep? They're often the ones that build your judgment, resilience, and trust with your team. This week, identify one thing you've been putting off. Ask yourself: What needs to happen first, not later? Choose clarity over comfort and take that step with intention. Notice what shifts once the hardest part is behind you. Momentum changes. Things feel lighter. And you're reminded that you're more capable than you think — and your team feels it too. Go lead knowing God created you for this. Watch more on You-Tube. [https://www.youtube.com/@NorthboundSolutions]

Don't Sit It Out - Leadership Action Study (Audio Version)

Watch video version on YouTube [https://youtu.be/0mLJwvqIuIE?si=xFhotngsKx6ykLks] This Northbound Action Study builds on the Don't Sit It Out podcast episode and is designed to help you move from insight to action. You've probably heard the advice to "focus only on what you can control," but this study challenges you to examine when that mindset becomes wisdom—and when it turns into avoidance. You'll explore the difference between control and agency, why staying on the sidelines can be just as damaging as trying to control everything, and how leadership shows up through your responses, communication, and boundaries—not just your position. Along the way, you'll get clear main points, key takeaways, and practical action options you can apply immediately to lead with influence, set healthy boundaries, and take the next responsible move—even when the system doesn't change. This is a short, focused study meant to help you engage, lead, and not sit this one out. The video below has premiered on You-Tube. [https://youtu.be/0mLJwvqIuIE?si=96mLjm4DMk-8eBSn] Come join the Northbound Approach Community here. [https://www.skool.com/northbound/about]

Go Northbound - Don't Sit This One Out (Full Episode Audio)

Join the Northbound Community Here [https://www.skool.com/northbound/about] "You can't control everything—just focus on what you can control." We've all heard that advice. But what if it's not always wisdom? What if sometimes it's a cop-out? In this episode of the Northbound Podcast, host Chris challenges one of the most common pieces of leadership advice and digs into when "focus on what you can control" becomes a way to avoid conflict, responsibility, or hard conversations. Chris explores the difference between control and agency, why staying on the sidelines can be just as damaging as trying to control everything, and how leaders (at any level) can take responsible action—even when systems, bosses, or organizations don't change. If you've ever felt stuck, disengaged, burned out, or tempted to say "that's outside my control," this episode will help you rethink your role, reclaim your agency, and lead with intention—whether you're in charge or not. Main Points * Why "focus on what you can control" can be wisdom or a quiet surrender * The origin of the term cop-out and how it shows up in modern leadership * How labeling everything as "out of my control" leads to burnout and disengagement * The two traps leaders fall into: * Staying on the sidelines * Trying to control everything * Control vs. agency: forcing outcomes vs. taking intentional action within constraints * What is always within your control: * Your responses * Communication with leadership * Expectations and definitions of success * Learning, effort, and energy * Boundaries (time, emotional labor, tolerance for dysfunction) * Practical examples: * Addressing toxic leadership directly instead of tolerating it * Giving feedback on organizational direction, budgets, and resourcing * Asking for feedback before performance reviews or promotion decisions * Speaking up about process and technology improvements * Why encouragement is one of the most powerful acts of leadership * Leadership isn't about position—it's about agency Key Takeaways * Focusing on what you can control becomes a problem when it helps you avoid hard conversations, boundaries, or decisions. * Staying on the sidelines and trying to control everything both lead to the same outcome: stress, burnout, and disengagement. * The goal of leadership is agency, not control. * Even when systems don't change, you still have a "next responsible move." * Boundaries are always your responsibility—and tolerating toxic behavior is not leadership. * Giving direct, honest feedback is healthier than gossip or silence. * Leadership is something you practice, not a title you're given. * Encouragement is real leadership—and it's available to everyone.