Ep 208: Leading When the Plan Falls Apart with Craig Groeschel

Craig Groeschel, founder of Life.Church and longtime leader of the Global Leadership Network, shares a raw, practical vision of leadership that thrives not in control, but in surrender. He reveals that the most transformative moments in leadership come not when plans succeed, but when they collapse — and how humility, candor, and the willingness to let go are what allow organizations to grow. Over 30 years, Groeschel evolved from a business-minded college student to a pastor who leads through service, not power. He candidly admits that his early leadership was marked by overpromising, rigidity, and even conflict with his core team — a crisis he resolved not through authority, but through public repentance and vulnerability. The result? A leadership team that has stayed together for decades, not because they’re perfect, but because they’ve learned to fight well and heal faster than they’ve ever been able to avoid conflict. Groeschel’s most powerful insight? The goal isn’t size — it’s serving people well. And the way to do that is by releasing control, trusting others, and obsessing over a few things that matter deeply, not chasing balance. His annual Global Leadership Summit talk isn’t just a speech — it’s a year-long obsession, crafted not for perfection, but for impact. The episode is a masterclass in adaptive leadership.