Episode 170: Self-Awareness, Self-Care, and the Triggers that Trip Leaders Up
A Conversation with Barry Burns
March 23, 2021
In our conversation today, we’re talking with Barry Burns about leadership and self-awareness. As a pastor, District Superintendent, and Dean of the Cabinet, Barry offers us wide-angle and close-up views of how self-awareness comes into play in leadership. We explore the impacts of social media and seasons of ministry as well as how self-care and having grace for ourselves play into self-awareness.
You’ll hear us talk about how perceptions of social media posts can ignite unintentional fires and cause long-term harm to relationships. You’ll also hear how social media can be helpful.
Join Barry as he reflects on a time in ministry that 75 members of a congregation died over a two-year time span. He shares what he learned about himself, others, and the support he needed to make it through a time of compounding grief.
Barry shares wisdom about recognizing your blindspots and takes us on a journey into the importance of long-term relationships for deepening trust and transparency.
That conversation guides us toward exploring how self-awareness involves others and springboards us into naming our own needs.
Above all, this is a conversation filled with grace. Barry reminds us of the importance of growing in our understanding of who God invites us to be even while being aware of distractions.
Reflection Questions
- Who has God created you to be? Would your answer change if you knew whatever you said wouldn’t be judged by anyone?
- What do you need in this season of life and leadership?
- What distractions or blind spots are holding you back from being who God created you to be?
- What is your relationship with social media? Does it need to be adjusted?
Mentioned in this Episode
Listen to Other Episodes in this Series on Self-Awareness
Episode 167: 5 Aspects of Self-Awareness
Episode 168: Self-Awareness as God-Awareness – A Conversation with Curnell Graham
