I've spent much of my career in and around leadership. I've sat through countless business conferences, executive forums, and industry events. But this summer, I attended my first faith-based leadership conference: the Global Leadership Summit, hosted right here at Hoboken Grace.

I expected leadership advice. What I didn't expect was a shift in perspective. I'm still processing everything I heard, but one question has stayed with me ever since: What does it mean to lead with Christian faith rather than ambition?

Is leadership about climbing, or helping others climb?

For most of my career, success was measured by what I accomplished, built, or achieved. But what if leadership is measured less by personal achievement and more by the impact we have on others? Alison Levine put it simply: "You can change the world by lending a hand, not by climbing the mountain." That line has stuck with me. It reframes leadership not as a summit to reach, but as a hand extended to someone still climbing.

What if the first person I need to lead is myself?

I used to think leadership meant having the answers — creating the plan and moving people toward a vision. But faith invites a different starting point entirely: trust, humility, and the willingness to be led. What if leadership doesn't begin with leading others, but with allowing God to lead me first?

Where is the line between stewardship and ownership?

I've always seen deep commitment, responsibility, and passion as signs of strong leadership. This session challenged that. What if some of what I call commitment is actually ownership? And what if some of what I call ownership is really pride?

David Ashcraft's words landed hard: "Don't let pride destroy what God is doing in your life." What struck me most, though, was his reflection on pride during succession planning. He spoke openly about the temptation to hold on too tightly to something he had built — and it hit home, because pride rarely announces itself. It usually disguises itself as passion, responsibility, or commitment.

As someone who has built teams, led transformations, and cared deeply about outcomes, I found myself asking: How do you remain a good steward of leadership without becoming possessive of it? How do you stay fully committed without making it about yourself?

I'm still wrestling with those questions. But I'm walking away more mindful — of the impact I have on the people around me, and of the moment commitment quietly becomes ownership. That's where I believe God is leading me next.

If you are someone who has ever considered attending the Global Leadership Summit, it is something you should really do. I left with the desire to know more about leadership, but I also left with a reminder that the best part of being a leader is that I get to be led by Jesus. When I take steps towards merging my “two worlds” I find that I am a better leader because I am not relying on my strength alone, but on the strength of Jesus in my everyday life. I learned practical skills, tools and questions that will help shape my future in leadership.