Having a Good Attitude: The Leadership Advantage You Carry Everywhere

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If there’s one thing you take with you into every meeting, every conversation, every ministry moment, and every room you walk into, it’s your attitude.
And the truth is — people feel it before you ever say a word.
A good attitude isn’t just a personality trait. It’s a leadership decision. It’s a daily choice to show up with faith, hope, and expectation, even when circumstances are less than ideal. Especially then.

Your Attitude Sets the Temperature
Leaders are thermostats, not thermometers. A thermometer only reflects the temperature of the room. A thermostat changes it.
When a leader walks in discouraged, negative, or irritated, the room cools down fast. But when a leader walks in with joy, confidence, and belief, the whole environment shifts. Teams relax. Creativity rises. People lean in.
A good attitude doesn’t ignore problems — it faces them with confidence that God is bigger than the challenge.

Attitude Is Contagious — So Make It Worth Catching
Every team takes on the emotional tone of its leader. If you want a positive culture, it starts with you. Volunteers don’t just follow vision; they follow emotional cues.
People want to serve with leaders who are hopeful, grateful, and steady. A good attitude says:
“We can do this.”
“God is at work.”
“This matters.”
And when you consistently model that mindset, it spreads faster than any strategy you could ever implement.

A Good Attitude Is Built Before It’s Tested
Nobody magically has a great attitude in hard moments. It’s built in the quiet routines of daily life:
Gratitude before you start the day.
Prayer before you react.
Perspective before you speak. (Taking every thought captive and making it obedient to Christ.)
When challenges come — and they always do — you draw from what you’ve already been practicing. A leader who feeds on worry will produce anxiety. A leader who feeds on faith will produce courage.

Your Attitude Is a Ministry
People are watching more than you think. Your response to inconvenience, pressure, and disappointment preaches a message louder than any sermon.
A steady, joyful attitude tells your team:
“We serve a God who is faithful.”
“We don’t panic — we trust.”
“We don’t quit — we grow.”
That kind of leadership builds resilient teams and healthy ministries.

Choose It Daily
Here’s the secret: a good attitude isn’t automatic. It’s intentional. Some days it feels natural. Other days it feels like work. But the days it feels like work are the days it matters most.
You don’t have to fake positivity. You simply choose faith over fear, gratitude over complaint, and hope over frustration.

And when leaders consistently make that choice, they become the kind of people others want to follow.
Because in the end, skills may open doors, but attitude determines how far you go — and how many people want to go with you.
Your attitude determines your altitude and causes you soar!
You can’t control what happens in life but you can sure choose how you respond. I choose to have a good attitude, how about you?

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Learning from an Event You Didn’t Attend

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I’ve been to more conferences and events in my lifetime than I can count—some life-changing, some nap-inducing. But over the years, I’ve discovered something powerful: you don’t have to attend an event to learn from it.

Now don’t get me wrong—there’s something special about being in the room. The energy, the hallway conversations, the worship, the people you meet over coffee… it all matters. But let’s face it—sometimes you just can’t be everywhere. Budgets, schedules, responsibilities, and life happen.

But here’s the thing: a hungry leader doesn’t stop learning just because they couldn’t make the trip.

1. Learn Through Relationships

One of my favorite parts of ministry events has never been the stage—it’s the people. If you know someone who went to a conference or training, call them up. Buy them a coffee. Ask,

“What was the biggest thing you took away from that event?”

You’ll be amazed how much you can glean from a 15-minute debrief with a friend who took notes and caught the vibe. Leaders share what they’re excited about. You just have to ask.
Remember: association is education.

2. Learn Through Resources

Nearly every event these days leaves a trail of gold behind—slides, recordings, podcasts, recaps, or even social posts. Follow the hashtags. Watch the highlight reels. Read the quotes and summaries.

If you missed a session, grab the speaker’s book or look up their podcast. What you missed in the room can still find its way into your heart and mind if you chase it down.

Hungry leaders don’t wait for someone to feed them—they find the food and fix their own plate.

3. Learn Through Reflection

When I miss an event, I don’t just think about what I missed—I think about why.
Was it an event I should have attended? Or was I supposed to be somewhere else doing what God called me to do right then?

Sometimes missing an event reminds me that God’s not measuring my ministry by how many conferences I attend but by how faithfully I apply what I’ve already learned.

Growth isn’t about collecting content—it’s about living it out.

4. Learn Through Application

Let’s be honest: most folks come home from conferences fired up but don’t actually change much. So if you take one or two solid nuggets from a friend’s notes and actually apply them—you’re already ahead of the game.

I’d rather have one truth in motion than a hundred in a notebook.

Missing an event doesn’t mean missing out.
Every moment is a classroom if you’ve got a learner’s heart.
Ask. Watch. Read. Reflect. Apply.

And remember—leaders who stay teachable keep growing… whether they were in the room or not.

Want more like this? Checkout NextGenLeaderLab.com.

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TRYING SOMETHING NEW (AND NOT BREAKING A HIP)

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I did something recently I’ve never done before.
No, I didn’t dye my hair, get a tattoo, or join a boy band (you’re welcome).
I attended an Advanced Beginner Pickleball Clinic.

Yep, this almost 70-year-old signed up to play with folks who had more spring in their step than I had in my knees. And you know what? I was the oldest one there… and I loved it.

Was I nervous? Absolutely. I didn’t want to be that guy—you know, the one holding up the line or mistaking the serve for a prayer request. But I showed up. I stretched (twice). And I listened to the coach. And guess what? I improved way more with a coach than I ever did just trying to figure it out on my own.

Here’s the deal:
Growth lives on the other side of your comfort zone.
And that’s not just true in pickleball—it’s true in ministry too.

There’s always a first time for everything:
• The first time you preach to adults after years with preschoolers.
• The first time you lead a staff meeting instead of just attending one.
• The first time you let someone else run the event
(and it didn’t fall apart!).

But you won’t get better by sitting on the sidelines hoping experience will magically appear.
You need coaching. Correction. Community. COURAGE.

Sometimes we plateau because we stop learning.
We stop asking questions.
We stop trying new things.
We start coasting on yesterday’s win and calling it “wisdom.”

But growth requires risk.
And sometimes the risk is simply saying: “I don’t know how to do this, but I’m willing to learn.”

I’m so glad I said yes to that clinic. I stretched myself—literally and figuratively—and I’m a better player for it.
More importantly, I’m reminded that leaders who never stop learning never stop leading.

So what’s your “clinic”?
What’s the new thing God’s nudging you to try?
Get out there. Sign up. Ask for help. Get a coach.
And don’t let your age, your fear, or your pride keep you from growing.

And hey—if you’re looking for a coach, a community, and a whole crew of NextGen leaders who are committed to growing together, check out the NextGen Leader Lab. It’s coaching, connection, and encouragement at a price any church can afford.

You don’t have to grow alone.
Let’s do this together—on and off the court.

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Want to Grow Your NextGen Ministry? You Don’t Have to Do It Alone.

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Let’s be real—ministry isn’t getting any easier.

Between recruiting volunteers, leading teams, planning events, managing curriculum, and keeping your own family afloat, it’s no wonder so many NextGen and Family Ministry leaders feel stretched thin.

But here’s the good news:
You don’t have to lead alone.

👋 Welcome to NextGenLeaderLab.com
This isn’t just a resource site. It’s an online coaching community created by ministry leaders for ministry leaders—led by yours truly, Jim Wideman, a pastor and coach who’s been in your shoes for nearly five decades.

At NextGen Leader Lab, you’ll find:

✅ Weekly mentoring articles on real-life leadership issues
✅ Live Q&A sessions where you can ask anything
✅ Downloadable tools you can use today
✅ A private community of leaders who get it
✅ Real-time coaching from someone who’s done it (and is still doing it)

⸻

Why the Lab Works

I’ve spent almost 50 years leading in churches big and small, and coaching hundreds of NextGen leaders. What I’ve learned is this: leaders grow better in community.

The Lab is where:
• New leaders get equipped and encouraged
• Veteran leaders stay sharp and refreshed
• And everyone learns how to lead well and last long

This isn’t about theory—it’s about practical ministry help you can use every week.

Who It’s For:
• Children’s Pastors
• NextGen or Family Ministry Pastors
• Youth Pastors stepping into oversight roles
• New leaders who want to build right
• Veteran leaders who want to finish strong

Let’s Build Something That Lasts—Together

There’s no magic wand in ministry. But there is a better way to grow—and it starts with coaching, community, and a commitment to keep learning.

👉 Click here to join the Lab today »

You’ll get instant access to resources, replays, and a tribe of leaders who’ve got your back.

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The Job, The Call, and the Kids We’re Hiring (AKA Millennials & Gen Z)

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Let me start by saying—I love working with younger generations. They keep me on my toes, teach me new words (like “rizz” and “delulu”), and make me Google acronyms just to stay in the conversation. But if you’ve ever led a team made up of Millennials and Gen Z, you’ve probably noticed something: they don’t think like we did when we were starting out in ministry. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing—it just means we’ve got to lead differently to get the values we want to instill in this new multigenerational workspace.

So let’s talk about three big ministry concepts: The Job, The Call, and The Crew You’re Doing It With.

1. The Job: What You’re Paid to Do

Back in the day, “the job” meant whatever needed to be done—no job descriptions, just expectations. You mowed the church lawn on Saturday and preached in Kidmin on Sunday. You got paid in pizza, donated expired food and “eternal rewards.”

But today’s young leaders? They’ve read the job description. They’ve highlighted it. They’ve probably sent you an email with a couple clarifying questions. If I can be honest I have a love/hate relationship with it, It shows they care about clarity and boundaries. Something my generation struggled with and have regrets over. Millennials and Gen Z aren’t lazy—they’re just not gonna say yes to “Empty Cup Syndrome” with a smile and a “bless your heart.” And honestly? Good for them.

How to lead them well:
Be clear. Be consistent. And make sure their job aligns with their strengths. Don’t hire a worship leader and ask them to design the graphics and social media just because they’re young unless you know they love Canva.

2. The Call: What You’re Born to Do

The call is bigger than the job. The call is why you cried at youth camp and surrendered your life to ministry—even though you didn’t fully understand what that meant. It’s that thing deep down in your soul that says, “I was made for this.”

Here’s the challenge: younger generations are passionate about purpose, but they don’t always see ministry as the only place to fulfill it. They might feel just as called to start a nonprofit, launch a podcast, or make Kingdom impact on TikTok. (Yes, even TikTok.)

How to lead them well:
Help them connect the dots between their calling and the local church. Show them how ministry isn’t just on the stage—it’s in the setup, the team huddle, the text you send on a Tuesday. And remind them that calling often looks like faithfulness over time, not viral moments.

3. The Crew: Working With Millennials & Gen Z

Here’s the thing—every generation is weird. (Even ours, Boomer. Especially ours.) We grew up on cassette tapes and Sunday night church. (Some of us on record players and tent crusades) They grew up on YouTube, Spotify, and asking why before they say yes. They’ve never lived without a Drive-Thru Window and a microwave. They are used to instant results. But instead of complaining about the “kids these days,” what if we started learning from them?

Millennials are loyal when they’re led well. Gen Z is creative, quick, and can build a sermon slide deck in less time than it takes us to find the remote. They want mentorship, feedback, and a voice at the table. They just don’t want to do it “because that’s how we’ve always done it.”

How to lead them well:
Be relational. Invest in their growth. Give them room to innovate—and yes, to fail. If you create a culture where questions are welcomed and growth is expected, you’ll build a team that’s more than staff—they’ll become your legacy.

The job may change as well as how it’s done. The generations will keep on coming. But the call to lead and disciple never goes out of style. So let’s keep showing up, keep learning, and keep making room at the table for the next wave of leaders—even if they show up with cold brew and a ring light. Leaders who stay teachable and adaptable don’t just make a difference—they leave a legacy that outlives them!

Because at the end of the day…
The job is what you do.
The call is why you do it.
And the team? They’re who you get to do it with.

Let’s lead them well—and maybe learn a few new dance moves while we’re at it.

If you’d like to learn more from someone old enough to remember flannel boards, yet young enough to send emojis 🎯🚀 join my NextGenLeaderLab.com

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