What makes teams actually healthy over the long haul?

In this conversation with Brian Cromer, we talk about the fundamentals that never stop mattering: caring for people before correcting them, giving the "gift of clarity" (not just big vision), and building cultures where people feel heard and own the mission.

Brian also opens up about navigating "church hurt" without becoming bitter, and the work he's done to grow in empathy and keep his heart soft.

01:00:00 Intro - food talk and skyline chili
01:01:41 Longevity in friendship - why it matters more now
01:04:38 Building healthy teams - care as the first leadership test
01:06:36 "Do leaders really care?" - leading with care in non-church workplaces
01:10:26 The gift of clarity - clear vision vs big vision
01:13:48 Competency vs character - integrity of heart and skill of hand
01:18:22 Vision and execution - systems that deliver vision
01:23:04 Conviction and unity - how to know vision is clear
01:24:15 Meetings and perspective - the water bottle metaphor
01:30:36 Leadership duality - pastor, boss, friend and family culture
01:32:07 "Hat on, hat off" - clarity down and maturity up
01:41:37 Church hurt and heart health - staying soft
01:44:45 Hurt by people, not the church - empathy and grace
01:49:42 Sanctification and grace - leaving room for people's process
01:52:31 Wrap-up and gratitude

About Sidecar Leader:

Sidecar Leader is committed to helping church leaders move further, faster - without going alone.

Through strategic coaching, creative services, and a proven three-phase process (Discover, Design, Deliver), Sidecar partners with pastors and leadership teams to clarify their vision, overcome challenges, and execute with purpose.

Whether you're scaling your church, shifting your strategy, or simply need clarity in your next step, Sidecar helps you lead with confidence.

Learn more at sidecarleader.com
Contact: info@sidecarleader.com
Follow on Instagram: @sidecarleader

If you've got a lot of options in front of you right now and the emotions are high… this episode is for you.

In this early-2026 conversation, we talk about the difference between vision decisions and emotional decisions - and why leaders often get stuck when the water gets muddy. Then we walk through five questions to clarify vision and five principles to communicate it in a way that people can run with.

You'll leave with a framework you can use immediately for your church, business, nonprofit, or team - so you're not just doing more this year… you're doing the right things.

Key:
The clearer the vision, the fewer the options, the easier the decisions.

CHAPTERS

01:00:03 Favorite gift + 2026 hiking talk
01:01:01 Coaching call: high emotions, too many options
01:01:39 Vision decisions vs emotional decisions
01:02:08 "Go to the mountain" - but bring a framework
01:03:14 Without vision, people cast off restraint
01:04:59 Vision must be clear and portable for people to run with it
01:06:28 Practical framework: 5 vision questions + 5 communication principles
01:06:45 Sidecar masterclass ad
01:07:12 Question 1: what are we moving people toward?
01:12:47 Question 2: why this matters most + saying no
01:13:15 Unprioritized vision becomes exhaustion
01:14:13 Sidecar coaching ad
01:14:46 Question 3: can you repeat this all year?
01:17:12 Question 4: what changes because of this vision?
01:20:47 Question 5: who are we becoming?
01:22:27 Sidecar team coaching ad
01:23:22 Static buzz + transition
01:23:28 Bonus: "prophetic vision" = divine guidance, not copying others
01:29:48 Communicating vision principle 1: clarity of purpose
01:30:09 Principle 2: one breath vision + clear over clever
01:30:42 Sidecar planning off-site ad
01:31:37 Principle 3: vision leaks, repetition matters
01:34:53 Principle 4: people need a role in the vision
01:38:52 Principle 5: vision is formation, not just construction

ABOUT SIDECAR LEADER

Sidecar Leader is committed to helping church leaders move further, faster - without going alone.

Through strategic coaching, creative services, and a proven three-phase process (Discover, Design, Deliver), Sidecar partners with pastors and leadership teams to clarify their vision, overcome challenges, and execute with purpose.

Whether you're scaling your church, shifting your strategy, or simply need clarity in your next step, Sidecar helps you lead with confidence.

Learn more: sidecarleader.com
Contact: info@sidecarleader.com
Follow on Instagram: @sidecarleader

Excellence is more than polished services and clean environments – it's a spirit that permeates everything you do as a leader. In this Sidecar Leader conversation, Pastor Jason unpacks a biblical and practical vision for excellence in both church and organizational life. Drawing from the story of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, he paints a picture of excellence that literally "takes people's breath away" – not for our glory, but to honor God and serve people well.

00:00 – Why excellence is always on our mind
01:39 – Excellence that takes your breath away
04:57 – Excellence vs perfectionism & consistency
07:18 – Excellence that honors God & inspires people
10:21 – Presence, details & setting the table
12:42 – Leading your team toward excellence
15:21 – Fresh eyes, feedback & staying a learner
19:27 – Modeling what you want multiplied
23:30 – Pursuing excellence without crushing your team
27:31 – Equipping through the dip & developing leaders
32:52 – Excellence, creativity & effectiveness

About Sidecar Leader:

Sidecar Leader is committed to helping church leaders move further, faster—without going alone. Through strategic coaching, creative services, and a proven three-phase process (Discover, Design, Deliver), Sidecar partners with pastors and leadership teams to clarify their vision, overcome challenges, and execute with purpose. Whether you're scaling your church, shifting your strategy, or simply need clarity in your next step, Sidecar helps you lead with confidence.

Learn more at sidecarleader.com
Contact: info@sidecarleader.com
Follow on Instagram: @sidecarleader