Episode 2 – Faith, Vocation, and the Formation of a Leader

In this episode of Learning Leadership In Practice, host David Reyes reflects on a season of deep growth shaped by both hardship and learning. Through a cluster of meaningful books he read in 2025, David explores how leadership is formed by presence, intentionality, and trust — especially when clarity is elusive.Books Featured in This EpisodeDraw the Circle: The 40 Day Prayer Challenge — Mark BattersonA reread that grounded David in prayer and helped him practice thoughtful deliberation when clarity was scarce.GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16182599-draw-the-circle GoodreadsGarden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human — John Mark ComerA reminder of calling and stewardship, helping shape how David understood hard work in this season.GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23403781-garden-city GoodreadsEvery Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Plan for the World — Timothy KellerA perspective on how faith and work are integrated, and how work itself participates in formation and calling.GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13589149-every-good-endeavor Goodreads Lead Like Jesus: Lessons from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of All Time — Ken BlanchardA leadership reminder about humility, service, and leading from character more than position.🔗 GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42864.Lead_Like_Jesus GoodreadsThe Flourishing Family: A Jesus-Centered Guide to Parenting with Peace and Purpose — David EricksonA reality check that leadership also happens in the home, and that formation stretches beyond professional arenas.GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/209399768-the-flourishing-family GoodreadsEpisode ThemesHow to lead when the why isn’t clear, but the next best step is visiblePracticing leadership as presence and intentionality, not just performanceFaith and work as intertwined avenues of forming identity and callingRecognizing that hard seasons are formation sectors, not detoursQuote From the Episode“If you know you may never get an answer to why, consider shifting toward asking, What can I do now?”Lingering QuestionTo close the episode and extend reflection:What do I need to learn the most in this season?Am I willing to endure this season long enough to truly capture the lessons it has for me?Should my prayer be for this season to end — or for it to continue until I’ve learned what I need to learn?Follow David on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-b-reyes/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit davidreyes.substack.com