Articles by Christian Muntean
In a moment of despair, I was surprised by joy
On the way to the gym recently, I decided it was time for a divine complaint session. I laid out my grievances before the Lord. Out loud. My whining can basically be summarized in one sentence: “Where is the joy you’ve promised me?” Have you ever been desperate for joy after an extended time of waiting, suffering or grief? Without this simple little emotion, life can become drudgery. Waiting becomes harder; things like bitterness can take root.
2 ways “harmless” sins corrupt our leadership
Of all the forces stacked against a leader, one that gets overlooked all too often is sin. I can tell you from experience that it can creep up on even the most well-intentioned leaders with disastrous effect. I’m not just talking about outward, obvious sins, but the ones that originate inside: jealousy, bitterness, lust and unforgiveness, to name a few. What goes on within us affects what we do, what we say, and how we’re viewed by others. This is why we must keep a tight rein on our thoughts.
How to inject serious biblical wisdom into your life and leadership
Wouldn’t it be great to have a comfort level with the Bible that enabled you to call on its wisdom whenever you needed it? When I became a believer more than 30 years ago, I was obsessed with being able to answer people’s questions. I devoured books on apologetics and listened to many debates. It took me a while to realize that the best preparation for defending the Bible was simply reading the Bible. The more I read it, the more comfortable I was talking about it, teaching it, and writing about it.
Hudson Taylor’s secret to getting the fullness of Christ into your life
In 1869, the brave Hudson Taylor had a problem with his faith. “I felt assured that there was in Christ all I needed,” he wrote, “but the practical question was—how to get it out. He was rich truly, but I was poor; He was strong, but I weak. I knew full well that there was in the root, the stem, abundant fatness, but how to get it into my puny little branch was the question” (Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret, p. 162).
Hudson Taylor’s way of making God “real” in your life
Before 21-year-old Hudson Taylor left for China, he practiced relying on God for his needs, deliberately cutting himself off from sources of support, including his own father. God provided through other means, as he did throughout the rest of Hudson’s life. In a letter to his mother, Hudson wrote, “I am indeed proving the truth of that word, ‘Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee.
Your Business Grew. Did Your Leadership?
Written by: Christian Muntean, CEPA "That'll work against lower belts. But it won't help you against upper belts." Just when I think I'm starting to figure out BJJ, an instructor will helpfully burst my bubble with a line like that. They aren't saying that what I'm doing doesn't work. They are saying it won't keep working for me as I progress. It's frustrating. Especially if it is a move that they taught me. But they aren't wrong. It's important to know the basics. And it feels good to advance.
Scaling up: why growth is a choice and a discipline
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT I was in a conversation recently, describing how many of my clients scale every year. Some double—$20M to $40M. Others surge—$50M to $75M. One even jumped from $200M to $500M1. She paused, thought for a moment, then asked: "What's the difference between the companies that grow and those that don't?" Great question. The answer is simpler (to describe) and more challenging (to execute) than most people expect.
Most succession plans fail because boards want safety, not strength
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT How do you replace a popular, effective, outgoing leader? I worked with the board for months on succession planning. The process was painful. Boards are rarely asked to make decisions that are this visible and consequential. They are more accustomed to vetting the suggestions of the executive. The sense of "It's all on us" was creating analysis paralysis.
Why leadership follow-through matters more than vision for long-term success
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Vision is cheap. Execution is rare. It's not big ideas that keep a company growing—it's consistency. For leaders, this means leadership follow-through. Recently, I had a long conversation in Miami with Ed Harycki, who is building his second $100M company. He sold his first, Swift Capital, to PayPal. Credit Genie, his new company, has, according to Ed, taken less than three years to go from $0 to a profitable $100M a year in revenue. How did he do this so quickly?
Culture isn’t about values—it’s about organizational conflict
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT I often see value statements written large on walls. Sometimes they're on websites. Sometimes on the back doors of vans. Nine times out of ten, I could walk into those organizations, ask what their values are—and no one would know. Even if they're written on the wall directly behind them. In the few cases where someone can tell me, they rarely know what the values actually mean or what to do with them. Specifically, how they guide decision-making or shape behavior.
Emergency succession should be the first, not last, succession plan
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT I was in a gondola in Venice. The sky was blue, sunny. The gondolier was in his red and white striped shirt and hat. Then I heard my wife's voice, "Christian! Are you ok? Christian?" I looked over and saw her upside-down face. "You had a seizure! Are you ok?" "I didn't have a seizure. I don't do that," I said. Or, I tried to say. But I couldn't move my mouth. I looked back over and realized I was eye level with the planking of our floor.
3 reasons your best employees leave and how to improve employee retention
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Over this last week, I've had almost daily conversations with owners about staff transitions and turnover—highlighting just how critical employee retention is today. It's no secret that "good help is hard to find." But holding onto good (or even halfway decent) help isn't easy either. There are several reasons for this, but one primary driver: Demographics. Up until the mid-1900s, 35%-50% of the population was under 18.
What pain can teach you about leadership
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT I had shoulder surgery a few months ago. Because everyone seems to enjoy hearing about my pain, here you go: I had shredded my shoulder. So they cut the bicep off from where it normally attaches on the shoulder, drilled a hole into my humerus, and reattached the tendon there. As I told my surgeon, "Please fix me so I can go back to doing stupid things." Fortunately, he understood. His previous job was putting Navy SEALs back together.
Strategic leadership in uncertain times: how to avoid panic and stay on course
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT "Volcano Panic Erupts! Residents of Alaska's Biggest City Plunged Into Panic as They Are Warned to Brace for Earth-Shattering Explosion." That was a real headline I saw recently. One of many similar headlines. But here in Anchorage, no one's panicking. At least no one I know. We're glad that the snow has finally melted and hoping it stays that way. Why the disconnect? Because we've lived through this before. We've seen what actual eruptions look like—and what they don't.
Why outgoing leaders should never pick their successor: a leadership succession warning
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT The outgoing leader should never pick their successor. Leadership succession is too critical to be left to one person's preferences or legacy goals. The successor lasted less than a year. A federal fraud investigation followed. Within another year, the entire organization shut down. I wish this story was unique. It's not. The details are more dramatic than usual, but the dynamics are common. I was asked to work with a board for both strategic and succession planning.
Why nice leaders finish last-and take their teams with them
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT A client called. He's forming a temporary partnership with another business. The two companies trust each other and have a long history. The president of the other company likes to keep things feeling relational and move fast. To do so, he wants to make a gentlemen's agreement and skip the hassle of drafting up formal documents. But my client has asked that they document their agreement. This has earned him pushback. The president of the other company doesn't see the point.
The most common leadership problem: matching leadership priorities with effort
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT "Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Skill is knowing how to do it. Virtue is doing it."—Thomas Jefferson My average client is a talented, experienced, hardworking leader. They are knowledgeable and skilled. They are usually good at executing and making things happen. They also struggle with identifying and managing leadership priorities when everything feels equally urgent. At the same time, many feel overwhelmed by competing demands or multiple opportunities.
Five leadership knots you didn’t know you were tying-and how to undo them
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT I recently took my family on a catamaran snorkeling tour in Hawaii. I always enjoy watching the crew manage the ropes for mooring the boat and anchoring (or reversing both). A well-run crew gets the timing right. They know when to prepare the lines and when to release them. They know how to tie knots that are secure when needed and easy to untie when not. Based on my experience with fishing lines, extension cords, and garden hoses, I'm not ready to help on a boat.
Negotiation tip: why it feels weird and how to get unstuck
Adobe I'm in the middle of advising a couple of high-level negotiations. One is for a business acquisition, the other for a partnership. And if you've ever been in a negotiation, you might have noticed something strange—it can feel uncomfortable. This negotiation tip will help you understand why and what to do about it. Everyone involved in both deals is a reasonable, well-meaning person who just wants to get something done. There's no drama, no Hollywood-style deception, no villain in the story.
Reparenting the workforce: how leaders can develop underprepared employees
Adobe Do you struggle with employees who: Don't meet performance standards? Lack basic professionalism in behavior or dress? Have an underwhelming work ethic? If so, you're not alone. And while it's easy to complain, complaining doesn't accomplish anything. Instead, leaders should focus on reparenting the workforce—developing underprepared employees into high performers. First, let's get this out of the way I'm not a "kids these days" person. Every generation is criticized by the ones before it.
Your best business move? Doing less, not more for business optimization
Adobe Want to build real strength? I don't mean getting big and bulky. I mean farmer strong. All you need are hips and shoulders. As a strength coach for 12 years, I kept simplifying training to what mattered most. The key? Compound movements that engage your body's two main "engines": Hips – Your primary power source. Strength here translates everywhere. Shoulders – Your secondary engine. Strength here stabilizes and extends power. You don't need a dozen exercises. Two will work.
Leadership efficiency: the habit wasting your (and your team’s) time
Years ago, before smartphones and Google (if you can imagine), I was in a meeting with a leader. He needed a phone number and called the receptionist to ask for it. He had to reach past his phone book (remember those?) to get to his desk phone. Then we both waited—while he dialed, the phone rang, and the receptionist picked up. He explained what he needed. She found her phone book, looked up the number, and relayed it to him.
AI and leadership: the essential skills AI can’t replace
In a 2023 Wall Street Journal article, Henry Kissinger, Eric Schmidt, and Daniel Huttenlocher explored both the power and dangers of AI. If you're not familiar: Kissinger was a former U.S. Secretary of State. Schmidt was the CEO of Google. Huttenlocher is the dean of MIT's computing program. These are smart, insightful people—not the type to be "spooked" by technology. One observation from the article stood out: They asked ChatGPT to provide six references to Henry Kissinger's thoughts on technology.
Leadership under pressure: thriving in the age of big feelings
I attended my son's fifth-grade spelling bee. His name was called for the opening round. As he walked up, I could tell he was nervous by how he held his lower lip. He approached the mic, noticed my wife and me, and smiled. But seeing us also distracted him. The teacher read his word. Not a hard one. But he got it wrong. He forgot a vowel. I could see on his face that he recognized his mistake as soon as he made it. And just like that, he was out. Spelling bees are low-forgiveness events.
Unlocking success: focus on behaviors for effective leadership
Jason is a senior leader in his company. He feels frustrated because Brian, one of his direct reports, "isn't reliable" and has a "poor work ethic." As I explore this with him, the crux of the problem begins to emerge. "Jason, I have no clue what 'reliable' and 'poor work ethic' mean. Could you tell me what Brian would be doing differently if he were reliable? Or if he had an exemplary work ethic?" Jason pauses. "I'm not sure how to answer that.
Leaders: stop trying for perfect. Start getting things done.
Most leadership growth comes from doing the same thing over and over until you finally get good at it. One of my life's struggles has been perfectionism. I've made enormous strides in this area. But it can still feel like a challenge, especially when growth includes learning to accept 'lower quality' results. It just feels weird. I enjoy woodworking. But my enthusiasm and ambition exceed my skill. Not long ago, I built a tool cabinet for my garage.
Want an “A” team? Start with your “B” players
A few weeks ago, I highlighted the importance of hiring "A players" for key positions. This is true for roles dependent on individual performance. But creating a high-performing team isn't about the individuals. It's about leadership and team dynamics. Research makes this clear: Google's Project Aristotle and studies from high-stakes environments such as emergency rooms show that you don't need "A" players to build an "A" Team. "B" playerswill do just fine when well led.
How to develop an effective exit strategy for your business
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT First, the bad news: Only 20% to 30% of business owners who attempt to sell their business will be successful. Why will the majority of business owners fail to sell? Because they didn't understand what buyers were looking for. They don't have a business exit strategy—or a clear exit strategy for business. It takes focused effort to prepare a business that is attractive to buyers and ready to sell.
CEO transition plan: proven steps to ensure smooth leadership change
Adobe Summarize with ChatGPT First, a little bit of background: Succession planning is a structured process. However, a successful CEO transition depends on more than plans and templates. It's shaped by the outgoing CEO's choices and actions. This article focuses on the unique, often overlooked ways a CEO can ensure a strong legacy and a successful succession. The CEO's role in ensuring a smooth transition Set the emotional tone Your attitude toward the transition sets the tone for everyone.
Business growth barriers: the real reason your business isn’t growing
Have you ever wondered why your business isn't growing, even though you're doing everything right? You've hired experts, reworked the strategy, and cut costs—but nothing seems to work. Here's the thing: The real reason probably isn't out there. It's not the market, your competitors, or even your team. It's closer than you think. It's you. The biggest barriers to business growth are usually internal, tied to our mindset as leaders. Not convinced?
What is a leadership coach? Unlocking the secrets to transformational leadership
Why elite performers choose leadership coaching Two of the biggest names in the fitness world—at least in terms of coaching and training—are Dan John and Pavel Tsatsouline. Dan John was an elite athlete turned coach and academic. Pavel was formerly a Soviet Special Forces instructor, who emigrated to the US and popularized the Russian Kettlebell. Both coach Olympic and professional athletes as well as special operators.
Keys to business partnership success: strategies for long-term collaboration
Looking to build business partnership success? Choose marriage, not a business partner. Marriages are far more likely to last. That being said…a business partnership can be fantastic. Ready for some cognitive dissonance? Partnerships (as compared to singleton-owned businesses) are: More likely to fail: Partnerships, especially in startups, face a high failure rate, largely due to conflict. Around 65% of startups fail because of disagreements between partners.
How succession planning can future-proof your organization’s leadership
Leadership feels a lot like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) to me (Of course, everything does!). If you aren't familiar, BJJ is like playing chess with a 200lb opponent who is trying to choke you. Or something like that. Not all metaphors are intended to be mixed. Anyway, when you lead, the pace can be intense. Every day throws a mix of opportunities and challenges your way. There are many decisions to make, and many need to be made quickly. If you don't, well, you face the consequences.
Exit strategy essentials: steps to ensure a smooth business exit strategy
Does planning your business exit strategy feel overwhelming? You're not alone. For many business owners, the process of stepping away from a company they've built—their baby—is not easy. However, having a clear and structured business exit strategy will help. In this article, we'll explore the twelve essential steps that will guide you through a smooth business exit. Step one: what comes next? The first step in planning a successful business exit strategy is asking yourself: what do I want to do next?
Blog Archive | Biblical Leadership
Test Link ArticlesDevotionsVideoseBooksPodcastsChurch SuppliersBook Reviews Home eBooks Devotions Podcasts Articles Church Suppliers Videos Our Writers Topics Servant LeadershipLeadership Development & DiscipleshipConflict & CriticismVision & CultureBook ReviewsMore Topics My Account Profile Most leaders think about building a business—far fewer think about leaving one. But the future of your legacy depends on how well you prepare for the exit long before it arrives.
Effective CEO succession planning: building a preliminary strategy
I recently met with a corporate executive who was leaving after a short tenure. A badly bungled CEO succession planning process prompted his departure. He was well-qualified and well-liked. In fact, this would have been his dream job. But the process was so clumsy, the communication wires were so crossed, and expectations were so conflicted that a different opportunity suddenly looked much better. Worse, he was the second leader from that corporation to leave. Both shared nearly identical stories.
Why politically driven CEOs are prone to breaking the rules
I rarely venture into political commentary, but during my morning perusal of the Wall Street Journal, I recently came across a poetically titled article: Having a Politically Partisan CEO Can Lead to More Company Misconduct, Study Finds. My attention was caught. Published in the Academy of Management Journal, the Georgetown researchers pose a provocative question: Are liberal or conservative CEOs more likely to engage in misconduct?
Using structure to manage: The (nearly) effortless management formula
If you walk into your average gym, you'll find that machines make up most of the equipment in that gym. On most machines, there is a little picture that highlights the muscle groups the machine is supposed to help you target. There might even be a graphic or description of how to use it. These machines are expensive. They take up a lot of space, and most only allow you to do one or two exercises. And gyms love them. Why?
Leadership alignment: realign your team for success with simple adjustments
As part of my never-ending quest to keep Oldmanitus at bay, I started seeing a Rolfer. If you aren't familiar with Rolfing, it's a type of bodywork focused on alignment and better movement. It's a little like if massage therapy and chiropractic care had a baby. She watched how I stood and walked, poked and prodded a bit, then let me know that my femurs weren't quite where they should be. This contributed to my hips and back being twisted.
Stop chasing growth: how business stabilization can triple your value
Not long ago, I took my family to the Alaska State Fair. After the kids were tired from the rides and sugared up, we checked out the prize-winning animals and vegetables. This wasn't a great year for veggies, but even in an off year, the winning cabbage was still the size of a dining room table and the winning carrot was as big as my 10-year-old. But here's the thing: these oversized vegetables aren't edible. At least, you wouldn't want to eat them. The texture is woody, and the flavor? Blah.
Accountability in leadership: transform how you lead by holding others accountable
adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Some years ago, I ordered something through a shipping service. I can't remember what it was—maybe a bed for one of the kids. When I went to pick it up, I was surprised at how large it was. I assumed it would be broken down into more boxes, but it was just one giant, heavy box. The guy at the shipping place offered to help me load it onto the top of my 4Runner. I took him up on the offer. As we were lifting it up, it dawned on me that I'd have to get it off by myself.
How organizational culture is like glitter: insights for leaders
The other evening, my dear, sweet, wonderful, beautiful daughter proudly came downstairs covered in glitter. From head to toe, back to front, she was a walking glitter cloud, leaving a trail wherever she went. Glitter was everywhere—in her hair, on her clothes, and even hovering in the air around her. It wasn't long before the entire house sparkled. The dog was glittery. I was glittery. Even rooms she hadn't entered had a shimmer. Days later, we're still finding glitter in unexpected places.
Forget trust: the real foundation of successful business partnerships
adobe Summarize with ChatGPT Business partnerships require more than just trust to be successful. My very first business venture was a coffee shop. This was back in the early '90s when coffee shops were new and edgy. I'm not sure why they were considered edgy—maybe because we were asking you to pay a full $1 for a cup of freshly roasted drip coffee. That was ridiculous, and the old folks told us that all the time. Little did anyone know how much more ridiculous it was going to get.
The power of margins: why 80% of the effort produces 100% of the results
Pavel Tsatsouline, known for introducing the kettlebell to the United States, has probably impacted my approach to fitness and training more than anyone else. And because leadership and team performance share so many parallels with fitness and athletics, he's impacted my views there as well. Pavel got his start in the former Soviet Union, where he was a physical training instructor for the Spetsnaz.
Handlebars, ribs, and overreactions: Don’t let solutions become problems
adobe Summarize with ChatGPT A few months ago, I popped a rib in BJJ. I was grappling a young guy probably half my age with a handlebar mustache. The mustache, alone, was a reason to teach him a few things. While giving him a lesson he'd never forget, my ribs decided not to stick together. They relocated suddenly. I was forced to tap out. As I sat on the side of the mat, waiting for the pain to catch up with me. I knew I'd be sidelined for a while. Rib injuries are uniquely challenging.
Strategic staffing: the single most important tool for outpacing your competition
Stop me if you've heard this one: The labor market is tight. Experienced leaders, managers, and technically skilled workers are even scarcer. Just-in-time hiring for key positions doesn't work anymore. Sorry…that wasn't even a bad joke. If you are an employer, the chances are high that you can't find the staff you need when you want them.
Why business partnerships fail. Here are the 9 rules for making them work
It's said, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." This observation can apply to business as well. Business partnerships are often compared to marriages. Like a good marriage, they require effort, commitment, alignment, and clear communication to succeed. When done well, they can achieve what otherwise may be impossible. Research on partnerships is difficult to find.
The hidden predictor of business success: employee retention rates
Grip strength Perhaps you've come across this. A simple health and longevity test that only takes a few seconds. It doesn't require blood draws, EKGs, or body scans. It provides insights into many aspects of your health: Cardiovascular health, bone mineral density, and cognitive health. Studies show that it may do an even better job of predicting mortality risk than your blood pressure. It's a grip test. Simply squeeze a tool called a dynamometer that measures your grip strength.
The danger of consensus leadership: how to avoid mediocrity and stifled innovation
"We're going to have to do surgery on his shoulder. We'll cut through the shoulder joint and open it up entirely and clean out the infection." I was sitting in a hospital room with my wife and one-year-old son. He had developed sepsis in his shoulder capsule—one of those freak things that just happened. The surgeon was advising us that to save him, they were going to have to cut his arm nearly entirely off. At least that's what I heard. There was no way I was going to let that happen.
Respected leaders do this: learn how to build real influence
Years ago, a friend challenged me to run a half-marathon with her. I wouldn't consider myself a runner, but I did run cross-country in high school. So, I figured if she could run a half-marathon, so could I. She sent me her training plan. I ignored it. I thought, "If you want to run a long way, just run a long way. Do it over and over again, and it gets easier." I didn't need a plan, or so I thought. I started running a lot, in old shoes.
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