[S3EP8] Why Great Leaders Choose To Believe The Best

What if the way we start this year could reshape how we lead, relate, and respond to the people around us?In the first episode of 2026, Holly Tate sits down with Tim to unpack one simple—but deeply challenging—leadership principle: believe the best. In a season marked by polarization, cynicism, and quick assumptions, they explore why choosing curiosity over judgment isn’t just a personal virtue, but a cultural necessity for healthy teams and organizations.Drawing from real leadership moments, personal failures, and organizational experience, Tim explains why “believing the best” was the single lesson he would keep from his 40 Lessons in 40 Years—and why it continues to shape how he leads today. Together, they wrestle with the tension leaders feel between extending trust and protecting their organizations, discuss how assumptions quietly erode culture, and offer practical ways to interrupt cynicism before it takes root.You’ll hear:Why most leaders naturally assume the worst (and how it shows up in everyday decisions)How curiosity can defuse conflict and build trustWhat it looks like to “trust but verify” without becoming cynicalPractical ways to create a culture that believes the best—without being naiveHow to recover when believing the best actually does lead to disappointmentWhether you’re leading a team, an organization, or simply trying to lead yourself better in the new year, this conversation sets the tone for Season 3 and invites you to lead with clarity, compassion, and intention.Let’s start 2026 by choosing to believe the best—and leading smarter because of it.Join us on a trip to Israel https://www.leadingsmart.com/israel📱 Follow us for more insights and resourcesInstagram: @timstevensFacebook: @timstevens💻Visit LeadingSmart.comListen to Leading In Real Time Podcast Series https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZ2wnxRYYqm_ThAiSPBwjH7vQH5i3H3aKListen to the full 40 Lessons In 40 Years serieshttps://www.leadingsmart.com/podcastDownload The Simply Strategic Show https://www.leadingsmart.com/books-2📩 Have questions or want to connect?https://www.leadingsmart.com/lets-talk🔔 Subscribe to stay updated on future episodesApple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-leadingsmart-podcast/id1813933962Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1IqLLXtvtZBEgRsM2gOXpO?si=8b6cc3d0a1124bdc📲 Enjoying the show? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with a church leader who needs this.