The Leader's Edge: May 2025

Welcome to the May 2025 edition of The Leader's Edge.

This month, we’re exploring what it means to lead with clarity.

Not just in strategy, but in presence, reflection, and relationships.

Here’s what you’ll find inside:

  • A leadership lesson on cutting through the noise

  • A reflection on the unseen baggage leaders leave behind

  • Updates on the Everybody Leads book launch and how to get early access

  • A practical reminder from LinkedIn on grounding your leadership in daily anchors

I hope something in here helps you pause, reflect, and reset your approach as you lead forward.

Let’s dive in.

Leadership Insight of the Month

Put On Your Leadership Noise-Cancelling Headphones

In a recent Sunday School class, a student asked me what “stillness and solitude” meant. She had noise-cancelling headphones around her neck, and it hit me: 

That’s it.

Just like she uses her headphones to block out overwhelming noise, leaders must block out the daily distractions to think clearly.

Think: emails, texts, meetings, news, and pressure.

Stillness doesn’t require a long retreat (though those help). It’s about creating space in the everyday:

  • A quiet morning run

  • 10 minutes of journaling

  • A solo walk to clear your head

  • Reserving a whiteboard and thinking time

You don’t need more time, you need more intentionality. 

Step away from the noise, and you’ll return sharper, calmer, and better prepared to lead.

Sometimes the best leadership move is to simply unplug.

Leadership Reflection of the Month

Beach Baggage

After a busy quarter, I escaped to the Alabama Gulf Coast for a few days of rest.

But when I stepped onto the beach, I was greeted by a thick line of seaweed along the shoreline.

As I walked, I saw debris trapped in it, 

Plastic bottles, ropes, kids’ toys, even a stray shoe.

And it got me thinking: this is what leadership “baggage” can look like.

When we charge toward results, we can leave things behind like:

  • Unreasonable demands

  • Words said in frustration

  • Burnout left unacknowledged

That baggage doesn’t disappear. It piles up.

And like the seaweed on the shore…

It becomes a barrier to progress.

Leadership is more than achieving results. It’s also about bringing people with you and not leaving damage in your wake.

So, ask yourself:

  • What am I leaving behind?

  • Have I taken time to clean up, apologize, or reconnect?

Everybody Leads Update

The message behind Everybody Leads continues to gain momentum, and I’m excited to share several updates.

The Everybody Leads Podcast
April 9 – Jonathan Litt, Principal, Co-Founder and Board Member of MONTICELLOAM, LLC

April 23 – Jody Luke, President, Love Does

May 7th – Lindy Cleveland, Founder and Director, Unless You

Listen to the Everybody Leads Podcast on Apple or Spotify.

Upcoming Speaking Opportunity
May 23 – Everybody Leads: How You Lead and Why it Matters

Part of the Finding God in Your Own Backyard online series hosted by Leah Kline

📘 Pre-Order Is Now Open

The book officially launches on July 22.

Reserve your copy today and get 15% off with code TIMLEADS

Video Content Coming Soon

I’ve been recording a series of short, insightful video segments from the book.

These are quick leadership takeaways you can apply immediately.

They’ll begin rolling out soon across social, so follow me and keep an eye out.

LinkedIn Post of the Month 

Let’s talk about the two most underrated leadership practices I’ve learned:

1. Define your anchors.

2. Be fully present where you are.

Here’s why they matter:

Without clear anchors—daily habits that ground you—life will set your rhythm for you.

And without presence—real, intentional presence—you’ll struggle to fully show up when it matters most.

Let’s unpack that:

1. Define your anchors

These are small, personal habits that reset your energy and bring you back to center.

For me, that looks like:

- A quiet moment in the morning before the world wakes up

- A midday walk to clear my head

- End-of-day reflection before I shift into home life

These aren’t luxuries. They’re non-negotiable.

Because when pressure builds, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. You need something solid to fall back on.

2. Be fully present where you are.

If you’re at work, be in the room. Not lost in your inbox.

If you’re with your family, don’t mentally drift back to your to-do list.

Presence builds trust. It strengthens relationships.

And it protects you from the kind of burnout that sneaks up on you.

When you combine clear anchors with intentional presence, you stop fighting to make it through the week…

And start consistently showing up as your best self.

At work.

At home.

And everywhere in between.

Thank You for Reading!

Keep an eye out for the May Monthly Roundup, where I’ll share closing reflections and behind-the-scenes insights from the month that was.

Tim