When I was young in ministry, I had never really gone through any leadership training. We didn’t have any structured development embedded into our church because we were such a new church plant. So, I decided to seek out someone who could help me better understand leadership strategies and principles. I developed a friendship with a pastor whose church had experienced significant success. Leadership was a clear component of what had helped things thrive, so I simply asked, “Will you mentor me?”

Fortunately, this pastor was up for the challenge. To this day, I will never forget the lessons and simple concepts he taught me that transformed the way I think about leadership, people, and communication.

The Five Levels of Leadership: A Game-Changer

One of the first things my mentor did was assign me readings from John Maxwell’s books. Each week, I would read different sections and return to discuss them. One of the most pivotal lessons came from Developing the Leader Within You, where Maxwell outlines the progression of a leader from someone who is followed simply because of their title to someone with lasting influence due to their impact on others.

This is an older book, but it is incredibly helpful. The concepts remain timeless, and if you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend checking it out. You can grab a copy on Amazon here.

While there were many takeaways, one of the most profound for me was understanding why people follow a leader. Before this, I had a basic assumption that people followed leaders simply because of their position. Maxwell describes this as the first level of leadership—where people follow you because of your title, out of obligation. However, leadership isn’t just about having a title; it’s about relationships, trust, and influence.

As I learned, the second level of leadership is called the Permission Level, where people follow you because they respect and trust you. This was a huge realization for me. Moving from obligation-based leadership to relational leadership is a game-changer—not just for leadership, but also for communication.

The Connection Between Leadership and Effective Communication

As I reflected on these leadership lessons, I realized they also applied to how we communicate within ministry. Many times, our communication mirrors that first level of leadership—it’s directive, instructional, and information-heavy. We tell people what to do, when to show up, and what’s happening. While clear communication is essential, it often lacks relational depth.

Just as leadership transforms when we move into relational influence, our communication improves when it takes on relational characteristics. What truly connects people isn’t just the information we share—it’s the stories, emotions, and relationships we build.

Information alone doesn’t create impact. Stories do. Emotions do. Relationships do.

3 Action Steps to Grow in Leadership and Communication

If you find yourself struggling in either leadership development or effective communication, here are three practical steps to help you grow:

1. Learn About the Five Levels of Leadership.

• Even though Developing the Leader within You is an older book, it remains one of the most insightful resources for leadership growth. Pick up a copy on Amazon here and study how moving beyond a title-based approach can transform the way you lead and communicate.

2. Evaluate Your Leadership Style.

• Do a personal inventory. Are people following you because of your title, or because of the relationships you’ve cultivated? If you find that you’re relying more on position than connection, it’s time to invest in building deeper relationships with your team and congregation.

3. Seek Honest Feedback.

• Leadership and communication growth require self-awareness. Ask trusted colleagues or mentors for feedback on how you lead and communicate. Are you inspiring and connecting with people, or are you simply giving directives? Uncovering blind spots is key to making progress.

Wrapping It Up

The journey from positional leadership to relational leadership is transformational. The same shift applies to communication—moving from directive messaging to meaningful, connection-driven interactions. Whether you’re leading a ministry, a team, or a congregation, investing in relationships and storytelling will amplify your influence and effectiveness.

If you want to grow in leadership and communication, start by deepening relationships and telling better stories. That’s where real impact begins.