Dennis J Conner
@dennisjconner.bsky.social
Col. 1:17 [Jesus] is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
Merry Christmas, y'all. Christmas is one of the times of year I think about my Mama most. Sharing this post from what would have been her 88th birthday as a remembrance. Read about it in my Christmas edition of Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/the-leader...
dennisjconner.com/f/the-leader...
The leadership laboratory of my childhood home
This piece was originally published on September 5, 2024. That would have been my Mama’s 88th birthday. Christmas always recalls memories of my parents. It seemed fitting to remember my Mama today. So...
dennisjconner.com
December 25, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Merry Christmas, y'all. Christmas is one of the times of year I think about my Mama most. Sharing this post from what would have been her 88th birthday as a remembrance. Read about it in my Christmas edition of Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/the-leader...
dennisjconner.com/f/the-leader...
A metaphor used in a brief conversation more than 20 years ago continues to be an effective tool when talking with pastors about the frustration they often feel when it seems no one is ready to go as far or as fast as they are trying to lead.
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dennisjconner.com/f/there-will...
There will always be tension
This piece was originally published on July 4, 2019. It has been modified and expanded as a result of conversations with several ministry friends in recent weeks, which have reminded me of the reality...
dennisjconner.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM
A metaphor used in a brief conversation more than 20 years ago continues to be an effective tool when talking with pastors about the frustration they often feel when it seems no one is ready to go as far or as fast as they are trying to lead.
dennisjconner.com/f/there-will...
dennisjconner.com/f/there-will...
If holiday driving frustrates you, perhaps my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership can help you redeem that frustration with some useful leadership principles gleaned from it.
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dennisjconner.com/f/merging-le...
Merging leadership
This piece was originally published on June 13, 2024. It has been edited with minor grammar corrections and updated information.
dennisjconner.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:19 AM
If holiday driving frustrates you, perhaps my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership can help you redeem that frustration with some useful leadership principles gleaned from it.
dennisjconner.com/f/merging-le...
dennisjconner.com/f/merging-le...
The African-American preaching tradition of call and response has something to teach all leaders about listening. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
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tinyurl.com/dennisjconner
“Any old dog will run better if you holler at him!”
This piece was originally published on April 16, 2020, just a month after COVID ground nearly everything in America to a halt. It has been edited with minor grammar corrections.
tinyurl.com
December 4, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The African-American preaching tradition of call and response has something to teach all leaders about listening. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
tinyurl.com/dennisjconner
tinyurl.com/dennisjconner
Tom Burrell was a pioneer leader in narrow-targeted advertising. Met him once on an elevator. Quiet man whose life and career have been invested in making others shine. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership
dennisjconner.com/f/tom-burrel...
dennisjconner.com/f/tom-burrel...
Tom Burrell: transformational leader
This piece was originally published on June 2, 2022. It has been edited with minor grammar corrections.
dennisjconner.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Tom Burrell was a pioneer leader in narrow-targeted advertising. Met him once on an elevator. Quiet man whose life and career have been invested in making others shine. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership
dennisjconner.com/f/tom-burrel...
dennisjconner.com/f/tom-burrel...
Behind every great leader, there is a story of their development. There's also some valuable insight to help us develop future leaders. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
bit.ly/485dwKF
bit.ly/485dwKF
Great leaders aren’t born, they are developed
From social media memes to gadfly commentary by the chattering class on sports networks to thousands of words spilled onto digital pages by sports reporters, Ben Johnson has gotten lots of attention i...
bit.ly
November 20, 2025 at 11:35 AM
Behind every great leader, there is a story of their development. There's also some valuable insight to help us develop future leaders. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
bit.ly/485dwKF
bit.ly/485dwKF
I've been reflecting on how the vibe of NC Bapitists' Annual Meetings have changed over the last 30 years and the men who have led that change. Two critical leadership principles are evident. Read about them in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
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dennisjconner.com/f/unifying-l...
Unifying leadership
Earlier this week, the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina held our Annual Meeting. Known more typically as NC Baptists, the Convention is an organization composed of more than 3,000 local, aut...
dennisjconner.com
November 13, 2025 at 10:51 AM
I've been reflecting on how the vibe of NC Bapitists' Annual Meetings have changed over the last 30 years and the men who have led that change. Two critical leadership principles are evident. Read about them in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/unifying-l...
dennisjconner.com/f/unifying-l...
A tragic collission of circumstances and bad decisions led to the most famous fresh water shipwreck in American lore. It also serves as a cautionary proverb for leaders. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/leadership...
dennisjconner.com/f/leadership...
Leadership shipwrecked
On Sunday afternoon, November 9, 1975, Captain Ernest McSorley embarked on what was to be his final voyage across Lake Superior and Lake Huron before retiring. Just over 29 hours later, that final voy...
dennisjconner.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:30 AM
A tragic collission of circumstances and bad decisions led to the most famous fresh water shipwreck in American lore. It also serves as a cautionary proverb for leaders. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/leadership...
dennisjconner.com/f/leadership...
A cautionary tale behind a big announcement from @stellantis.bsky.social last week. A leader needs to know those they are leading. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership. dennisjconner.com/f/the-most-e...
The most essential knowledge a leader needs
Last week, Stellantis announced plans to invest $13 billion in the United States over the next four years. While not exactly a household name, many of the vehicle brands they manufacture and sell in t...
dennisjconner.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:09 AM
A cautionary tale behind a big announcement from @stellantis.bsky.social last week. A leader needs to know those they are leading. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership. dennisjconner.com/f/the-most-e...
Most of us love to hear others acknowledge our strengths. However, our strengths come with weaknesses we also need to recognize. True, trusted friends can help us see them. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/assessing-...
dennisjconner.com/f/assessing-...
Assessing the weaknesses that accompany our strengths
One of the realities of being an old guy in ministry is that I get lots of phone calls for references. Often, these are official reference calls. Someone has listed my name on a résumé, and a member o...
dennisjconner.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Most of us love to hear others acknowledge our strengths. However, our strengths come with weaknesses we also need to recognize. True, trusted friends can help us see them. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/assessing-...
dennisjconner.com/f/assessing-...
Knowing and serving alongside Rev. Jack Byrd was one of the many blessings of ministry I have known. He demonstrated an essential, but rare quality of leadership: humility. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
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dennisjconner.com/f/humility-a...
Humility: a rare but essential quality of leadership
While I had often heard his name and may have met him once or twice at various meetings, I never really knew Rev. Jack Byrd until I began serving as Pastor of Cashie Baptist Church in Windsor in 2001.
dennisjconner.com
October 9, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Knowing and serving alongside Rev. Jack Byrd was one of the many blessings of ministry I have known. He demonstrated an essential, but rare quality of leadership: humility. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/humility-a...
dennisjconner.com/f/humility-a...
“Being a disciple of Jesus is not about following a set of rules, but following and living under the authority of Jesus.” Pastor Keith Whitfield
October 5, 2025 at 3:25 PM
“Being a disciple of Jesus is not about following a set of rules, but following and living under the authority of Jesus.” Pastor Keith Whitfield
A caricature, seen in editorial cartoons, exaggerates particular characteristics of the subject. Sadly, many leaders go to opposite extremes, becoming caricatures of leaders rather than true leaders. Read about it in my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
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dennisjconner.com/f/caricature...
Caricatures of leadership
While Cindy and I are on vacation, I hope this piece from the files is still helpful to you. This piece was originally published on April 20, 2023. Time references reflect that date. It has been edite...
dennisjconner.com
October 2, 2025 at 10:13 AM
A caricature, seen in editorial cartoons, exaggerates particular characteristics of the subject. Sadly, many leaders go to opposite extremes, becoming caricatures of leaders rather than true leaders. Read about it in my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/caricature...
dennisjconner.com/f/caricature...
A few days in Chicago this week ignited memories of the Great Chicago Fire. The immediate response to the Fire offers some valuable insight for pastors and other leaders. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership
dennisjconner.com/f/leadership...
dennisjconner.com/f/leadership...
Leadership on Fire!
This piece was first published on October 13, 2022. Being back in Chicago for a few days earlier this week and fielding questions about the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 has rekindled my memory of this p...
dennisjconner.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:22 AM
A few days in Chicago this week ignited memories of the Great Chicago Fire. The immediate response to the Fire offers some valuable insight for pastors and other leaders. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership
dennisjconner.com/f/leadership...
dennisjconner.com/f/leadership...
Yesterday's approach won't meet tomorrow's challenges. How are you leading your church, nonprofit, or professional practice to meet those challenges?
dennisjconner.com/f/leaders-mu...
dennisjconner.com/f/leaders-mu...
Leaders must adjust - constantly.
A couple of months ago, I wrote about the breakup of corporate conglomerate Kraft-Heinz. Unraveling that behemoth is still a work in progress. The story continues to make business news, in part becaus...
dennisjconner.com
September 4, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Yesterday's approach won't meet tomorrow's challenges. How are you leading your church, nonprofit, or professional practice to meet those challenges?
dennisjconner.com/f/leaders-mu...
dennisjconner.com/f/leaders-mu...
Most leaders have had to clean up a mess they didn't make.
@crackerbarrell.bsky.social CEO Julie Felss Masino is doing it this week. It may be necessary. How we do it may help or hinder our leadership effectiveness. Check out my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership dennisjconner.com/f/cleaning-u...
@crackerbarrell.bsky.social CEO Julie Felss Masino is doing it this week. It may be necessary. How we do it may help or hinder our leadership effectiveness. Check out my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership dennisjconner.com/f/cleaning-u...
August 28, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Most leaders have had to clean up a mess they didn't make.
@crackerbarrell.bsky.social CEO Julie Felss Masino is doing it this week. It may be necessary. How we do it may help or hinder our leadership effectiveness. Check out my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership dennisjconner.com/f/cleaning-u...
@crackerbarrell.bsky.social CEO Julie Felss Masino is doing it this week. It may be necessary. How we do it may help or hinder our leadership effectiveness. Check out my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership dennisjconner.com/f/cleaning-u...
If you've ever had a leadership responsibility w/ someone pushing at your back, you know it's not only annoying but can be dangerous to the church, business, or volunteer organization you lead. Read about it in my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/leading-we...
dennisjconner.com/f/leading-we...
Leading well in the role we have
This piece was originally on July 20, 2023. Several conversations in recent weeks have reminded me of the value of the two leadership principles here. Perhaps refreshing your memory will be helpful to...
dennisjconner.com
August 21, 2025 at 9:29 AM
If you've ever had a leadership responsibility w/ someone pushing at your back, you know it's not only annoying but can be dangerous to the church, business, or volunteer organization you lead. Read about it in my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/leading-we...
dennisjconner.com/f/leading-we...
56 years ago this weekend, Woodstock became the defining event of the 1960s counterculture. The backstory to it all has something instructive for every leader. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/dealing-wi...
dennisjconner.com/f/dealing-wi...
Dealing with a dire threat to our leadership.
It all seemed innocent enough. A couple of 20-something entrepreneurs working in the music business were building a music recording studio in the heart of Manhattan, just a couple of blocks from Centr...
dennisjconner.com
August 14, 2025 at 11:03 AM
56 years ago this weekend, Woodstock became the defining event of the 1960s counterculture. The backstory to it all has something instructive for every leader. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/dealing-wi...
dennisjconner.com/f/dealing-wi...
Regardless of whether we are fans of "America's Team," part of the larger legion of haters, or ambivalent about them and the NFL, the leadership of Jerry Jones, has something to teach us. Read about it in my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership
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dennisjconner.com/f/one-star-l...
One-star leadership
The NFL season is upon us. The Los Angeles Chargers took down the Detroit Lions in convincing fashion during the Hall of Fame Game a week ago. The remaining teams will take the field this week for the...
dennisjconner.com
August 7, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Regardless of whether we are fans of "America's Team," part of the larger legion of haters, or ambivalent about them and the NFL, the leadership of Jerry Jones, has something to teach us. Read about it in my Thursday Thoughts on Leadership
dennisjconner.com/f/one-star-l...
dennisjconner.com/f/one-star-l...
Regardless of who your team is, if you're a baseball fan, Nancy Faust, @chicagowhitesoq.bsky.social organist for 40 yrs has had an impact on you. Part of that impact began 48 years ago this week. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/organ-ic-l...
dennisjconner.com/f/organ-ic-l...
Organ-ic leadership
Many think of Chicago as being bitterly cold in the winter, and for good reason. It is. Yet, the city has also experienced many sweltering summers, with high temperatures intensified by high humidity.
dennisjconner.com
July 31, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Regardless of who your team is, if you're a baseball fan, Nancy Faust, @chicagowhitesoq.bsky.social organist for 40 yrs has had an impact on you. Part of that impact began 48 years ago this week. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/organ-ic-l...
dennisjconner.com/f/organ-ic-l...
The verdict is in. What is the best leadership approach? Transparency or secrecy? I posed that question 3 years ago. We finally have the answer. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/the-verdic...
dennisjconner.com/f/the-verdic...
The verdict is in.
Three years ago this week, I wrote about the very different leadership styles of Lori Lightfoot, then the Mayor of Chicago, and Damola Adamolekun, the CEO of P.F. Chang’s. I’ve linked that piece below...
dennisjconner.com
July 24, 2025 at 10:21 AM
The verdict is in. What is the best leadership approach? Transparency or secrecy? I posed that question 3 years ago. We finally have the answer. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/the-verdic...
dennisjconner.com/f/the-verdic...
Ketchup and Mac & Cheese are going their separate ways. The story of the @kraftheinz.bsky.social merger and recently announced breakup is instructive to pastors and other leaders. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/it-seemed-...
dennisjconner.com/f/it-seemed-...
It seemed like a good idea at the time.
The brief business headline a week ago caught my ear like the wrong note in a piano student’s first recital. Discordant. Inescapable. Evocative.
dennisjconner.com
July 17, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Ketchup and Mac & Cheese are going their separate ways. The story of the @kraftheinz.bsky.social merger and recently announced breakup is instructive to pastors and other leaders. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/it-seemed-...
dennisjconner.com/f/it-seemed-...
Ministry leadership can be lonely & isolating. It doesn't have to be. And it shouldn't be. Community isn't optional. It's essential. Like anything else of value, it requires diligent effort. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/community-...
dennisjconner.com/f/community-...
Community isn't optional
In my earliest days of ministry, I was blessed to pastor a church in a rural community in Bertie County, NC. In many ways, it was a stark contrast to the state’s largest city, where I spent the first ...
dennisjconner.com
July 10, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Ministry leadership can be lonely & isolating. It doesn't have to be. And it shouldn't be. Community isn't optional. It's essential. Like anything else of value, it requires diligent effort. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/community-...
dennisjconner.com/f/community-...
Well done, Southern Porch! Great food. Rich, deep, steeped iced tea. Great spot to watch Canton move. And only the best mayonnaise money can buy: Dukes mayonnaise
July 3, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Well done, Southern Porch! Great food. Rich, deep, steeped iced tea. Great spot to watch Canton move. And only the best mayonnaise money can buy: Dukes mayonnaise
Contentment is a good thing. Complacency, however, is a deadly thing. The story of the BlackBerry illustrates the difference. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/the-silent...
dennisjconner.com/f/the-silent...
The silent killer
This piece was first published on January 17, 2019. It has been edited to correct grammar and spelling. Some of the links have also been updated.
dennisjconner.com
July 3, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Contentment is a good thing. Complacency, however, is a deadly thing. The story of the BlackBerry illustrates the difference. Read about it in my latest Thursday Thoughts on Leadership.
dennisjconner.com/f/the-silent...
dennisjconner.com/f/the-silent...