Episode 5: Executive Team Meetings That Actually Work | Leading Smart Podcast
Welcome back to Season 3 of the LeadingSmart podcast—leading in real time, where ideas spark mid-week, inspiration hits on Zoom calls, and yes… sometimes Tim is literally recording from a hotel room overlooking LAX.
In this episode, Holly and Tim dive deep into one of the most misunderstood, overcomplicated, and under-disciplined parts of church leadership: executive team meetings.
Turns out, even the big churches feel unsure about cadence, structure, and how to stop talking in circles. So we break it all down—tactically, honestly, and with plenty of laughs.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
• The ideal cadence for an executive meeting (and why weekly works best)
• How long these meetings should really be
• Agenda frameworks that reduce confusion and clarify who decides what
• How to use goals, dashboards, and priorities without overengineering them
• The collaborative tools every team should be using
• The “end-of-meeting discipline” that prevents miscommunication
• Why offsites are an investment, not an indulgence
• And a “Hot Takes on the Holidays” segment you didn’t know you needed
If you’ve ever sat in a meeting wondering, “Didn’t we already decide this?” or “Why are we talking about this again?” — this episode is for you.
Helpful Links
Have a question or episode topic? Email us at tim@leadingsmart.com
📱 Follow us for more insights and resources
Instagram: @timstevens
Facebook: @timstevens
2026 LeadingSmart Gatherings Are OPEN! https://www.leadingsmart.com/gatherings
💻Visit LeadingSmart.com
🎧 Listen to the full 40 Lessons In 40 Years series
https://www.leadingsmart.com/podcast
Download The Simply Strategic Show
https://www.leadingsmart.com/books-2
📩 Have questions or want to connect?
https://www.leadingsmart.com/lets-talk
🔔 Subscribe to stay updated on future episodes
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadingsmart-podcast/id1813933962
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1IqLLXtvtZBEgRsM2gOXpO?si=8b6cc3d0a1124bdc