7 Random (But Important) Leadership Shifts for 2025

Let’s be honest – nothing changes when the calendar flips unless you do. The leadership graveyard is filled with good intentions that never translated into real change.

But here’s what I’ve learned after decades of leadership: small shifts can create seismic changes.

So below, you’ll find seven seemingly random—but important—shifts you can plant for right now that will make next year fundamentally different from this year.

Leaders who make continual improvements invariably become the best leaders in their field. 

Shift One: Maximize Your Green Zone

If you’ve read At Your Best, you know that your Green Zone is a period of 3–5 hours each day when you have your highest energy levels and are most productive. For a lot of leaders, their Green Zone happens in the morning.

During your Green Zone, you should focus on your most important tasks and priorities. For example, most pastors struggle to get their message done, let alone get ahead on their sermon writing. If you protected four undistracted hours on Monday through Wednesday during your Green Zone, most pastors would have their message finished before Wednesday lunch. The pressure that takes off is exceptional, not just on you, but on your entire team.

The problem is that too many leaders squander their Green Zone by scheduling random meetings, lunches, breakfasts or, honestly, just using it unstrategically.

Figure out your Green Zone (this will help), then take your calendar and turn your Green Zone into a repeat meeting with yourself for 2025. Move everything else off it, and focus on your most important work.

Your future self (as well as your team and family) will thank you for it. 

Shift Two: Go All In On Your 2025 Kick-Off Series

January isn’t just another month – it’s your launchpad. Attendance patterns established in the first six weeks of the year can often set the pace for attendance through September.

On the other hand, a lackluster start to the New Year can create a sense of lag throughout the year.

So, pour extra energy into your first sermon series. Yes, you’re tired from Christmas. Yes, your team is exhausted. 

But momentum is easier to steer than it is to create. The energy you invest now can pay dividends all year long.

If you want some simple help to ensure your message connects before you deliver it, join the 30,000+ leaders who use my free Preaching Cheat Sheet.  It offers ten simple questions you can ask about your message to see if it’s likely to connect or if it needs a little more work before you deliver it.

Shift Three: Fix Your First-Time Guest Strategy

Let’s get real about our guest return rates. The average church sees only 6-10% of first-time guests return for a second visit. But churches with a structured follow-up system can see that number jump to 25-30%.

Your follow-up system doesn’t need to be complicated, but it must be quick and consistent.

To borrow data from a different industry, studies show 44% of salespeople give up after a first follow-up. 

92 percent of salespeople will give up after four “no’s,” but studies show that 80 percent of prospects will say “no” four times before they say “yes.”

You’re probably thinking that you don’t want to pester people, but being intentional does not mean being annoying.  People are busy, and you’re not a priority for them—so patiently following up will pay off in the long run.

A final point. Research shows that only eight percent of qualified leads are generated during the first contact, even when a top performer conducts the outreach.

In other words, if you don’t follow up, you could miss out on 92 percent of the people who would end up coming to your church. 

If you don’t follow up, you could miss out on 92 percent of the people who would end up coming to your church. Share on X

The key? Be kind. Be personal. Be creative and invitational. Don’t just ask people to attend. Ask if you can pray for them and how you can help them – it’ll make a bigger difference than you’d think. 

Shift Four: Make Your Digital Presence More Personal

I know you invested in all that production equipment during COVID. That’s great. But here’s what’s fascinating: while production value matters, personal connection matters more.

The most effective digital strategy right now isn’t the most polished – it’s the most personal. 

The most effective digital strategy right now isn't the most polished – it's the most personal.  Share on X

Grab your phone (yes, that thing in your pocket) and start shooting videos on it.

Your perfectly produced Sunday service matters, but that raw Tuesday morning devotional you filmed on your phone might actually create deeper connections.

The strategy? Document, don’t produce. 

• Share insights from your morning reading.
• Capture that powerful moment after service.
• Film a quick prayer for your community.

The bar for production is lower than you think, but the bar for authenticity is higher than ever.

Better yet, get other people involved. 

86% of consumers are more likely to trust a brand that shares User Generated Content compared to 12% who are likely to purchase a product promoted by influencers. And if you’re the senior pastor, you’re the ‘influencer.’ 

So, feature other people on your channel. (Hint: Gen Z are digital natives and would love the chance…)

Shift Five: Reverse Mentor Your Leadership

If you’re over 30, you’re missing cultural cues that seem obvious to the next generation. By 50, the gap is even wider. 

The good news is that Gen Z and Millennials are very open to spending time with Gen X and Boomers. 

You can do this through creating intergenerational small groups, hosting dinner parties, or building authentic friendships with people younger than you. 

Or, more formally, it’s a great idea to convene meetings and focus groups with teens and young adults when you’re doing anything from series planning to strategic planning at your church. 

Shift Six: Schedule Your Time Off NOW

This isn’t just good advice… it’s survival. The Barna Group reports that 33% of pastors have considered leaving ministry in the past year, with the immense stress of the job as the primary reason. 

Leaders who schedule their time off in advance are more likely to actually take it.

Right now (yes, right now) put these in your calendar:

• Vacation blocks
• Study breaks
• Personal retreats
• Family birthdays and anniversaries
• Quarterly planning days

As you know, if you put the big rocks in first, the little ones all fit. When the big rocks are your personal well-being, everyone wins.

Shift Seven: Devote More Time To Exploring AI

One final shift you can make in 2025 is to devote more time to exploring AI. By exploring, I mean both learning about it and using it.

Sure, by now, you’ve realized that you use AI every day if you use Google Maps or Spotify or search for something on the internet. But wise leaders will go beyond that and figure out how to leverage it to free up more time for what matters most.

For example, NotebookLM is an incredible resource that keeps getting better. 

It can digest a 300-page book in about 30 seconds and give you accurate summaries with citations and links. With one more click, you’ll generate an AI podcast about the topic. And it keeps improving weekly.

Church-specific organizations like Church.Tech can create all your sermon clips for social, Bible studies, emails, and more with the click of a button. 

Nothing Changes Until You Do 

These shifts aren’t complicated, but they require intention. So, what shift will you start with today?

Leaders who make continual improvements invariably become the best leaders in their field…

If you want to join a community of leaders who strive to become the best in their field, you should check out The Art of Leadership Academy, where you’ll find a private online community of church leaders committed to growth, personal development, and supporting each other.

All it takes is a few hours each month, and 12 months from now, you’ll be miles ahead of where you’re at.