Steve Backlund on The Culture of Empowerment

Join Larry Kreider and Merle Shenk as they sit down with Steve Backlund to explore the key principles of empowerment in leadership, based on his book The Culture of Empowerment: How to Champion People. Steve will share insightful stories from his own leadership journey, encouraging listeners to recognize the untapped potential within their teams and to proactively empower them to make a meaningful impact. Don't miss this inspiring and challenging episode that will transform the way you lead and empower others!

Steve Backlund is the co-founder of Igniting Hope and is senior associate director for Bethel Leaders Network. He is an author of numerous books and a leadership developer who travels extensively throughout the world, encouraging churches, leaders, and organizations to develop cultures of empowerment. Steve and his wife, Wendy, were senior pastors for seventeen years and now reside in Redding, California.

Quotable Quotes:

• “Every organization has some kind of culture. A wise leader shapes culture intentionally and chooses a model where empowerment is the norm.”
• “My goal is not to build a big church but to build big people.”—Bill Johnson
• “Empowerment creates a culture of feedback.”
• “If we look to those we lead to meet our needs, we ask them to empower us instead of the other way around.”

Highlights:

• Empowerment is giving away power to your team so they can have an impact, authority, and autonomy, allowing them to make decisions and contribute to the overall goal.
• As a leader, be influenceable, allowing your team to be empowered to influence you.
• Seek first to understand before you seek to be understood.
• The nature of most relationships when we first meet is excitement, then disappointment, then either disconnection or connection.
• Luke 6:45
• One of the greatest things a leader can do is believe in their people.

Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• The Culture of Empowerment: How to Champion People by Steve Backlund, Phil Backlund, and Melissa Amato
• The Culture of Empowerment: How to Champion People audiobook by Steve Backlund, Phil Backlund, and Melissa Amato
• The Culture of Empowerment: Business and Organization Edition by Steve Backlund and Dr. Phil Backlund
• Igniting Hope
• Igniting Hope Academy
• Fully Convinced: The Art of Decision Making by Steve Backlund
• Victorious Emotions: Creating a Framework for a Happier You by Wendy Backlund
• Declarations: Unlocking your Future by Steve Backlund

Related Resources:

• DOVE International
• DOVE International Succession Plan
• Igniting Hope Podcast

Recorded live at the 2024 DOVE International Leadership Conference

For more information about Larry Kreider, his books, daily devotionals, small-group resources, or other teachings, visit larrykreider.com.