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

  1. Who has God created you to be? Would your answer change if you knew whatever you said wouldn’t be judged by anyone?
  2. What do you need in this season of life and leadership?
  3. What distractions or blind spots are holding you back from being who God created you to be?
  4. What is your relationship with social media? Does it need to be adjusted?

Mentioned in this Episode

James Polk Biographies 

John Grisham Books

Andrew Greeley Books

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

Episode 169: Self-Awareness in Different Seasons of Life and Ministry – A Conversation with Rae Lynn Schlief