Aaron Brockett

Insights from Aaron

1. You lead out of the season your organization is in.
   Aaron highlights the importance of diagnosing the right season for your church or team. Whether it’s a time of transition, crisis, or sustained growth, your leadership posture should match the moment. Misalignment here creates confusion and burnout.
2. Culture is the oil in the engine.
   One of Aaron’s standout metaphors is that organizational culture is like engine oil—it cools and allows the machinery (the team) to run efficiently. Without it, things overheat. His church’s highest culture score came in their busiest season—a testament to intentional, ongoing work on team dynamics and morale.
3. Internal alignment doesn’t just happen.
   From inherited staff to 200+ team members, Aaron emphasizes ongoing alignment through core values, cultural accountability, and “benevolent bias”—assuming the best in others. Alignment is maintained, not achieved once and for all.
4. Ask more questions than you answer.
   As a self-described introvert, Aaron has grown to be more present, observant, and curious—especially in spontaneous team moments. Asking thoughtful questions builds emotional intelligence and reveals how people are really doing.
5. Outside advisors are game-changers.
   From culture assessments to staff crises, trusted external voices have been critical for honest evaluation and healthy growth. These advisors aren’t forever, but for a needed “leg of the race.”
6. Don’t spray air freshener—find the source.
   When something smells off culturally or relationally, Aaron encourages leaders to run toward it, not away. Unaddressed tension only grows. Healthy leadership confronts graciously and directly.
7. Leadership requires clarity, not popularity.
   Aaron shares how he had to cauterize his desire to be liked in order to lead more effectively. “You don’t have to be abrasive,” he says, “just resolved.”
8. Generosity campaigns can be healthy and energizing.
   After leading two exhausting initiatives, Aaron shares how their latest one—done with emotional and strategic clarity—has increased alignment and discipleship, not just giving.