What does it take to pivot when things are going well—but the world (and your work) is changing fast? In this episode of How Leaders Think, Kenny Lange talks with Dr. Sharon Spano, founder of Spano & Company, about strategic planning that actually gets implemented, leading through uncertainty, and building the ability to adapt without drifting. They unpack why long-range planning still matters, how leaders can cut through the noise, and what accountability looks like when execution is the real challenge. Sharon also shares how she’s used AI as a thought partner to gain clarity and make better decisions without outsourcing her discernment.

Listen on Other Platforms

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Sharon Spano Resources

Website: https://sharonspano.com

Podcast Appearances: https://sharonspano.com/podcast-appearances/

Books Mentioned

The Pursuit of Time and Money (Dr. Sharon Spano): https://amzn.to/4tQXYnT

Chapters

00:00 - Cold open: AI as thought partner

00:55 - Welcome & Sharon Spano intro

01:30 - What’s on Sharon’s mind now

01:40 - Rebranding and pivoting a podcast

02:45 - When to pivot even if it’s working

03:10 - Big pivots: travel, market shifts, COVID

04:25 - Strategic planning changed after COVID

05:35 - Planning horizons: 3 years vs 10 years

08:10 - Vision, values, and getting to metrics

09:10 - Why most strategic plans fail

10:35 - Busy work vs real impact

12:20 - Too many meetings: redesigning cadence

13:05 - Accountability that drives execution

16:25 - Using AI for analysis and clarity

18:20 - Sharon’s new podcast and calling

21:05 - A first step to handle change better

44:25 - Where to find Sharon & closing

Hashtags

#HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #StrategicPlanning #ChangeManagement

Are you a high achiever drifting toward burnout?

In this Looking Back episode of How Leaders Think, Kenny Lange and Julie K. Rhodes explore how Sabbath, humility, and God’s unconditional love create sustainable leadership. If you’re driven, responsible, and carrying significant pressure, this conversation may completely change how you think about success.

Chronic Grace: Prayers, Saints, and Thorns That Stay by Julie K. Rhodes

https://amzn.to/4azudiK

Julie shares how grief and chronic illness reshaped her definition of achievement—and why overachievers often drift into exhaustion when identity is tied to outcomes. This episode is about becoming the right person, not just getting the right results.

Listen on Other Platforms

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Julie K. Rhodes Resources

Website: https://www.juliekrhodes.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/juliekrhodes/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-rhodes-ba4aab300/

Instagram: @juliekrhodes

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/juliekrhodes

Other Resources Mentioned

Chronic Grace: Prayers, Saints, and Thorns That Stay (Julie K. Rhodes): https://amzn.to/4azudiK

Practicing the Way (John Mark Comer): https://amzn.to/4djmoOC

So Much More Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3EV8RsLUlSeyfZvONYoRFc

Chapters

00:00 - Why this episode matters (Looking Back)

01:05 - A sacred pause after loss

04:02 - What “success” really looks like

06:52 - Legacy vs metrics and milestones

10:45 - The hidden motive behind striving

12:49 - Why high achievers burn out

14:29 - Unconditional love as a practice

20:42 - Finding a spiritual rhythm that fits

22:36 - Anxiety, control, and humility

27:35 - Pressure, responsibility, and payroll reality

30:40 - Trusting providence when plans shift

34:12 - Sabbath: a hard break from striving

37:13 - The drift back to

What happens when leadership becomes performance instead of presence?

In this episode of How Leaders Think, Kenny Lange sits down with leadership strategist and author Kristina Holle to explore how survival patterns, identity, and burnout quietly shape the way leaders show up.

Kristina unpacks the shift from performative leadership to embodied authenticity—and why wholeness, self-regulation, and alignment are becoming essential in today’s fast-moving world.

This conversation is for leaders ready to stop surviving and start leading from who they truly are.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b

YouTube Podcasts: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Website: https://www.holleconsulting.com

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kristinaholle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinahollereal

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kristinamholle

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6tnlbYvYQrz86e2vX4VHJt

The Authentic You: Unleash Your Leadership Potential

https://www.amazon.ca/Authentic-You-Unleash-Leadership-Potential-ebook/dp/B091FX4W1C

#HowLeadersThink #AuthenticLeadership #LeadershipDevelopment #EmotionalIntelligence

What if the biggest threat to your leadership isn’t your strategy — but your need for control? In this episode of How Leaders Think, Kenny Lange talks with Randy Griffin, Chair at C12 North Texas, about the two “operating systems” leaders live from: fear and faith. They unpack why high-achieving Christian leaders can get results while quietly losing margin, peace, and joy — and how Jesus invites us into partnership, surrender, and formation instead of performance. If you’ve been trying to “optimize” your way to peace, this conversation will reframe what healthy, kingdom-minded leadership actually looks like.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Website: https://c12northtexas.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/texasfaith/

00:00 - The question you’re avoiding

00:45 - Welcome & Randy’s background

02:00 - Leaders are tired: no margin in soul

03:30 - “Optimize more” vs true rest

04:35 - Matthew 11: Jesus’ yoke & rest

07:30 - Two operating systems: fear vs faith

09:45 - Holy productivity vs burnout

12:00 - Loving work without losing your soul

14:15 - Moving from 1.0 to a new OS

17:25 - Recovery & control as addiction

20:10 - “Just enough” is the lie

22:00 - People are God’s highest value

27:15 - Leadership as formation

31:10 - Why success can block surrender

35:45 - 24-hour step: name it & share it

40:15 - How to connect with Randy

#HowLeadersThink #ChristianLeadership #FaithAtWork #LeadershipDevelopment

In this episode of How Leaders Think, Kenny Lange sits down with Preston Zeller (Founder of Psalmlog) to talk about how grief reshapes your priorities, relationships, and leadership.

They unpack the “race to victimhood,” why pain can fuel either growth or entitlement, and what forgiveness actually looks like when life hits hard. Then they pivot into AI + biblical guidance—how to build responsible tools that support spiritual formation without replacing God, community, or wisdom.

Listen on Other Platforms

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Preston Zeller Resources

Website: https://zellerhaus.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonzeller/

Instagram: prestonzeller

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6B0oUz6sfKs5IRicVFV0Yb

Books Mentioned

The Only Leader’s Worth Following — Tim Spiker

#HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #GriefAndLeadership #ArtificialIntelligence

Most leaders say “people first,” but few build the systems to actually live it. In this episode, Kenny Lange sits down with Janelle Miller Moravek, Executive Director of Youth & Family Counseling, to unpack what it really looks like to care for your team so they can deliver great work—especially in high-demand, high-burnout environments.

Janelle shares why middle management is the “secret sauce,” how they redesigned workload expectations, and what she’s learning about safety, rest, and sustainability as the pace of change accelerates. If you’re leading a business or nonprofit and want a healthier culture without losing performance, this conversation will give you practical angles to think from.

Listen on Other Platforms

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Janelle Miller Moravek Resources

Website: https://www.counselingforall.org

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janelle-miller-moravek-903a815b/

#HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #PeopleFirstLeadership #NonprofitLeadership

What happens to trust when AI can generate “smart-sounding” narratives at scale? Kenny sits down with Shane Gring (Founder of Certainly) to unpack why authority is shifting, why attention is becoming a commodity, and how leaders can stand out with a real point of view—not just polished content. They break down the difference between a course and a certification, what “high-integrity” credentialing actually means, and how to know when your expertise is ready to become a credential. If you’re building influence in a noisy market, this episode will help you create signal people can trust.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Website: certainly.coop

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shanegring/

#HowLeadersThink #Leadership #ArtificialIntelligence #Trust

In Part 3 of The Inner Loop Series, Kenny Lange closes the loop with Accountable—the reinforcement stage that helps transformation actually stick. You’ll learn why most change efforts drift (even with strong intentions), and how to build feedback loops that sustain growth without shame, micromanagement, or control. Kenny breaks accountability down at three levels—personal, team, and organizational—so you can strengthen follow-through, trust, and execution as complexity increases. If you’re stepping into a new year and want change that compounds, this episode gives you a simple framework to build around.

Listen on Other Platforms

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-leaders-think-with-kenny-lange/id1434737807

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2wKtzb6KaF1vNlG9TsZkzh

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy50cmFuc2lzdG9yLmZtL2tlZXAtcmlzaW5nLXdpdGgta2VubnktbGFuZ2U=

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/b13c5d64-50db-4626-9685-c356116ec54b

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KennyLange/podcasts

Website: https://howleadersthink.kennylange.com/

Hashtags

#HowLeadersThink #LeadershipDevelopment #TeamAccountability #OrganizationalLeadership