Creative Results Management Test Blog

Who Owns Discernment?

Keith Webb — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:26:39 GMT

Just as counseling doesn't own emotions, spiritual direction doesn't own discernment.

A reader asked me last month: If coaching is about discernment, how is it different from spiritual direction? It's a great question, and that one line is my short answer.

As a Christian, I could say the same about consulting, teaching, or mentoring. Coaches want to help a person solve a problem or reach a goal, but there's always God's view overlapping everything. The client may not want to discuss that. But in my mind, I'm always wondering: What is God doing in this person, this situation, this organization?

I believe that when we quiet down, reflect deeply, and go inward, a person will better hear God's nudges, whether they are Christian or not.

So what is the difference between coaching and spiritual direction? Usually it's the focus. Spiritual direction, as I've seen it practiced, focuses specifically on what God is communicating to a person, often about their spiritual connection with Him, using tools like Scripture, prayer, and structured reflection.

Coaching covers a wider range. But the Holy Spirit doesn't limit Himself to "spiritual" conversations. He is nudging and speaking throughout the day, including in the middle of a challenging situation, which describes most coaching conversations. God doesn't have "His one way" for every decision we face. Often He leaves us with many acceptable options to choose from. But learning to tune in to Him in our daily decisions is ripe for spiritual formation, character formation, and leader formation all at once.

So regardless of whether I'd call a conversation coaching, mentoring, spiritual direction, or something else, I'm holding the same question underneath: What might God be doing here, and how can I align with His work?

That's what makes every coaching conversation potentially sacred space discernment.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

PS - If you want to bring this kind of Spirit-attentive coaching into your leadership conversations, our training is designed to do just that.

More or Less

Keith Webb — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:21:15 GMT

I'm growth-oriented. "Better and more" are always on my mind:

How could I connect better with people so they feel more cared for?
What would improve our courses for greater participant impact?
How could I eat and exercise differently to feel better?

Better and more can be good things. But working toward them can become wearying hustle, endless striving, and result-preoccupation. (The opposite is also problematic: too little attention to growth or living out your calling's accomplishment dimension.)

In the gospels, Jesus teaches and lives out "better and more" through teaching, healing, and traveling, yet without hustle, striving, or result-obsession. Jesus' approach is "less is more":

He frequently withdraws from crowds to pray.
He focuses primarily on the Twelve, sometimes just Peter, James, and John.
He limits ministry time in places to move elsewhere.

This isn't just balance—equal time for being and doing. It's leveraged activity and leveraged rest. (Lounging in pajamas all day isn't the same as walking and praying an hour each afternoon.)

Jesus shows us that effectiveness isn't about maximizing activity. It's about aligning our work with the Father's. The question isn't "How much can I accomplish?" but "What is mine to do?" That shift put me in a "less is more" mindset.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

Which Mental Time Zone Do You Live In?

Keith Webb — Mon, 01 Dec 2025 23:45:32 GMT

Which mental time zone are you living in? Some people live in the past, others in the future or the present.

Here’s the secret, change happens in the present. The results of those changes happen in the future, but because of what you do in the present.

The trick is to learn from the past, plan for the future, and be present today.

Living In The Past

Time always moves forward yet, sometimes we don't move with it. We may want to relive pleasant memories of when we were younger, happier, or at the top of our game. The past may also capture us through unhealed wounds that continue to hurt. Lack of forgiveness, offered or received, traps us in a mental time zone of the past. Christ's redemptive work frees us from the past's hold.

Living In The Present

It is always the present, but few live here. In the present, we're faced with my life as it is, which often doesn't measure up to what we want it to be. The present, however, is the only time zone where we can respond to God's leading and do things differently. Many divine opportunities fly by because we aren’t present for them.

Living In The Future

Visiting the future to explore our dreams, hopes, ideas, vision and calling is necessary to orient us to the present. However, living in the future can distract from the present. Our lack of results can be because we refuse to live in, or at least occasionally visit, the present.

When Are You living?

Paul models a balanced approach to time in Philippians 3. Notice how he acknowledges the past, fixes his eyes on the future prize, yet presses on in the present:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind (past) and straining towards what is ahead (future), I press on (present) towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12‬-‭14‬).

Learn from the past, plan for the future, and be present today. Results happen because of what we do in the present.

This week, watch for which mental time zone are you most tempted to live in. How is God calling you to be present today?

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

The Smartest Thing I've Stopped Doing

Keith Webb — Sun, 16 Nov 2025 18:29:56 GMT

My "smarts" can get in the way when I'm trying to help people. After hearing their situation, I may think I know solutions or at least resources for them—an article, a book, a video.

But it often doesn't help. People's situations are complex and messy, full of contradictions—just as mine are.

Years ago, I realized people needed more wisdom from the Holy Spirit and less from me.

I'm reminded of Paul's discussion of the cross and resurrection in 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 where he writes, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1‬:‭25‬).

That teaching firmly puts me in my place!

This is why I like coaching. Done well, coaching draws out how the Spirit may be leading a person. Through questions and reflection we explore deeply and remain open to things that don't necessarily make sense to us. Rather than focusing in on our experience and ideas, we explore what else may be going on, and what God might be doing.

Perhaps you've felt this tension too—the pull between wanting to help and recognizing the limitations. I'm still learning, but I'm discovering that creating space for someone to hear from God is almost always more powerful than any answer I could provide.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

Opening Hearts With Questions

Keith Webb — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 15:39:56 GMT

Jesus demonstrated a brilliant strategy for drawing out people's thoughts and feelings through a simple but powerful questioning sequence. We can see it in this example from Luke 9:18-20:

"Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, 'Who do the crowds say I am?' They replied, 'Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.' 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Peter answered, 'God's Messiah.'"

Jesus has a two-step approach: he warms them up with a safe question about others before inviting them to a more personal response.

Step 1: The Safe Warm-Up Question
"Who do the crowds say I am?" This question creates emotional safety. When we discuss what other people think, we don't risk exposing our own thoughts or committing to a position. It's a psychological shelter—we can explore ideas with less personal risk.

Clients often refer to "other people" without realizing it. (Did you notice? I just demonstrated it myself by writing "clients often do this" rather than "I often do this." We naturally hide behind the comfort of discussing others.)

Step 2: The Open-Up Question
After the warm-up, people feel safer sharing their true thoughts. "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" Jesus gently but directly invites personal disclosure.

I use Jesus' question sequence in two ways:

I start with an "other people" warm-up question like "What does the team think about this goal?" Then transition to a personal question, "What about you? How do you feel about it?"
When I ask a personal "you" question but receive an "other people" response, I gently ask again, "I hear what others think—but what about you? What's your take?"

How might you use Jesus' question sequence to encourage deeper, more authentic conversations? Whether you're coaching or simply trying to connect more meaningfully with those around you, follow Jesus' example to open hearts and minds.

Grace & Peace,

Keith

Be Useful

Keith Webb — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 19:46:57 GMT

A hallmark of coaching is the conversation topic always comes from the client, not the coach. We ask what the client would find important or meaningful to work on. And then we explore that topic to assist the client to make progress.

Coaching clients are pleasantly surprised that we listen to them and value what they care about. To them, that’s helpful. That’s useful.

Being useful is important. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is helpful to me in my ministry.” 2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭11‬b ‭NIVUK‬‬

As Christians, I wonder how the people around us view our usefulness and the value we add to their lives and the larger community. Remember, everyone evaluates based on what’s important to them.

What if Christians regularly asked:

• What do you see as the most pressing issues in our community?

• What could our church do that would be useful to the community?

• What value might we endeavor to add?

I know one church who asked community leaders these questions. What they heard was a need for affordable and immediately available counselling. The church created a space, refocused a staff member, and recruited two other counsellors to meet the need. The city now refers people to them. Because they are useful.

If “useful” is in the eye of the beholder, to know, we need to ask.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

How Jesus Influenced Others

Keith Webb — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 22:35:03 GMT

Jesus could have delivered the Sermon on the Mount, said "Go and do likewise," and moved on to the next town. But He didn't.

Instead, He walked with His disciples daily, watching them implement His teachings. When Peter failed at walking on water, Jesus coached him through it. When the disciples couldn't cast out a demon, He debriefed with them privately. When they argued about greatness, He used it as a teachable moment.

Notice Jesus' pattern:

He taught principles (the parables, the sermons)
He created practice opportunities (sending them out two by two)
He debriefed their experiences ("What happened when you tried to heal that boy?")
He coached them through failures (Peter's denial, Thomas's doubt)

Jesus spent three years following up His initial teaching. The result? They became people who turned the world upside down.

Jesus spent more time coaching His disciples than teaching crowds.

Follow Jesus' example.

Two Questions on Hearing God

Keith Webb — Fri, 30 May 2025 19:27:33 GMT

Years ago, Paul Rhoads, a mentor of mine, asked me when I most clearly have heard God's voice. It's in an interesting question.

My image of when people most clearly heard God's direction is after extended times of prayer or meditating on scripture. This hasn't been my experience.

For me, it's when I travel.

I could recall a time when I was alone at a Starbucks in London gazing out the window while journaling. Or at an airport watching planes taxi around during a 3-hour layover on my way home.

Paul, inquired further, "What was it about those times that you think caused you to tune into God's voice?" Another interesting question.

After reflecting a minute, it was that I was away from my normal place, normal rhythm, and often at the end of a busy week leading a training with a group of diverse people. The new people, new place, new culture, new ways of doing things, all caused me to be more spiritually attentive to how God was directing me.

How would you answer Paul's two questions?

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

Coaching Skills In Everyday Conversations

Keith Webb — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 22:38:50 GMT

Coaching skills are useful for demonstrating respect, care, and building relationships in everyday conversations, not just formal coaching conversations.

As we're reminded, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬).

Here are a few examples from the past month:

On a family outing, when we were making plans for the day, I engaged my active listening and asked a few more questions to draw out from others, rather than pushing my ideas. Happy family.

On a call with a potential new client, I took time to acknowledge and empathize with their current situation before sharing with them how our coaching training could be part of their solution. Happy potential client.

At a dinner party, I held back my story that I was reminded of as another person shared. Instead keeping the focus on them, I asked a follow up question that drew out more of what the person felt about what they were sharing. Happy friend.

I'd love for these behaviors to have been perfectly natural for me. But they aren't. Only by intentionally learning and practicing coaching skills was I able to use them in the moment.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

Thrive in '25

Keith Webb — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 19:21:00 GMT

A friend's family theme for 2025 is "thrive." I like it so much I'm joining—the thrive theme, not his family. How about joining too for "Thrive in '25"?

Here are some reflective questions to assist you to understand what "thriving" means to you, and how to approach it this year.

Imagine...

What does "thrive" mean to you?
What would be different if you were thriving?

Listen...

What stirs in you, even as you think of thriving?
What doubts emerge?

Reflect...

What needs to shift in you to thrive?
What would you need to do differently?
Are you willing?

Plan...

What habits might get in the way of thriving?
What are thrive-habits you could begin doing instead?
Who would you like to join you to Thrive in '25?

As you might catch from the reflective questions, thriving is less about changing your circumstances and the people around you, and more about what's happening in your heart and what you do.

Thriving doesn't just happen. You must be intentional in your thoughts and actions.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

Finding God's Purpose in Our Daily Lives

Keith Webb — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 19:21:49 GMT

As Christians, we are called to live out God's purpose in every aspect of our lives. However, the routines of daily life can sometimes overshadow our spiritual calling. While routines provide comfort, they can also numb us to the deeper meaning God intends for our lives.

It's easy to get caught up in mundane activities, whether it's binge-watching TV shows, scrolling through social media, or getting lost in work-related tasks. These habits can distract us from meaningful pursuits like spending quality time with family or deepening our relationship with God.

To rediscover meaning in our lives, we must shift our focus from mere activities to God's purpose. Ask questions of meaning:

Of all that you do in your current role, what are the most meaning parts?
In what, even small ways, do you live out your calling in your current role?
If you were to design your ideal schedule, what would it look like?
How might you incorporate elements of your ideal schedule into your current routine?

Meaningful relationships are also crucial to our spiritual growth. Reflect on the friendships that have strengthened your faith and consider how you can cultivate more Christ-centered connections.

Think of two meaningful friendships. What made those friendships significant for you?
Currently, with whom do you find the most meaning?
What changes could you make to create more meaningful relationships?

By continually seeking God's purpose, we can transform routine into meaningful living, growing closer to Him in all we do.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

Are you ready for the unexpected?

Keith Webb — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 21:04:33 GMT

Our shower drain is backed up. I tried the DIY fixes, with no result. Now it's time to call a plumber, which takes financial courage!

Statistics show that 57% of Americans can’t pay an unexpected $1000 expense. As a result, unexpected expenses are a large source of credit card debt, which can create significant stress and strain on your personal and professional lives.

“The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.”‭ Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭3‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬

Scriptures encourage us to be prudent and prepared for the unexpected. One way of doing this is to build an Emergency Fund. Save and set aside 3-6 months living expenses for unexpected events, like hiring a plumber.

The principle here is: do the hard work before you need it. Then you will have a buffer to weather life's storms.

The same is true of leadership and particularly, communication. Too many people have thought for years about learning to coach, but don't get around to taking coaching training until they change jobs, retire, or their kids move out.

Developing your leadership skills along the way ensures that you're ready when you really need them. Like tapping into your Emergency Fund when the plumber hands you an unexpected bill.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

Are your re-creating?

Keith Webb — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 16:26:41 GMT

It's summer here where I live, which means the sun is—finally—out for a few short weeks!

On sunny days, you'll find me on a boat instead of in my office at a computer.

It's called recreation. Something I'm not very good at, but need more in my life. Frankly, it's easier for me to just work all the time.

I don't think God made us to go-go-go all of the time. We're to have regular rhythms of work and rest. I think of sabbath days, festivals, rotation of fields, years of jubilee, as just a few biblical examples of weekly, seasonal, and annual rhythms.

We're to re-create during these times of not working so intensely. To renew our strength. Our faith. Our relationships.

These habits, far from being unproductive, are a different kind of productivity. Stephen Covey used to call it "sharpening the saw," rather than pushing through with a dull tool.

What are you doing to re-create yourself these days?

Look for Lori and me on a boat on Lake Washington or Puget Sound.

Hospitality

Keith Webb — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 23:43:46 GMT

One afternoon when I was finishing up my master's degree in Pasadena, California I looked for a place to study and drove past the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel. From my Japan days, I knew hotel lobbies and cafés were great for sitting, talking, and reading. You paid a small fortune for the coffee, but it's a wonderful environment.

I pulled up in our minivan in a t-shirt and jeans and parked next to a Porsche. A hotel staff greeted me. "I'd like to have a coffee and read for a while. Would that be okay?" I asked.

She smiled and answered, "Of course, this is the Ritz-Carlton, you may do you anything you want," motioning me to the terrace. She explained to the server I was there for a cup of coffee and to read. The server lit up, "Of course, right this way," and seated me at a quiet table near some palm trees for the next two hours.

25 years later, I still remember their welcoming kindness. Hospitality brings humanity to service through a smile, an attitude, a tone of voice. It's not a transactional encounter. Care and heart come through.

In coaching, we bring humanity to the conversation by caring for the whole person of the client, not just chasing their problem.

We do this by showing interest in them as people: their beliefs, strengths, experiences, and values. We ask about their concerns, desires, and emotions. We provide empathy, acknowledgement, and support.

By focusing on the person, not only their problem, we'll see more problems fundamentally solved.

Great coaching produces how-to plans of action through transformation of the person.

Love (Listen to) One Another

Keith Webb — Tue, 07 May 2024 16:00:00 GMT

Jesus said, "This is my command: love each other" (John‬ ‭15‬:‭17)‬. For most of my life, I had a vague notion that to "love each other" meant not saying unkind things, not getting angry, being nicer, or letting others go first.

Love includes these things. But I missed a key way of showing love. One that I discovered as I learned to coach.

"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable," David Augsburger wrote in Caring Enough to Hear and Be Heard. Think about how you feel when someone listens to you. Or how you feel when you're dismissed, talked over, and not listened to.

Listening clearly communicates love. People feel care, compassion, value, and respect as we listen to them. These are the effects of love.

As an experiment, replace the word "love" with "listen":

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love (listen to) one another.'" John‬ ‭13‬:‭35‬
"Be devoted to one another in love (listening). Honour one another above yourselves." ‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬
"This is my command: love (listen to) each other." John‬ ‭15‬:‭17)

Suddenly, loving others has a behavioral and measurable dimension to it.

How much are we as Christians noted for listening, and thus showing love? How much do I demonstrate my care and value for others by listening to them?

I'm not a natural listener. Listening is a skill that can be developed. One that will communicate love to everyone around you.

Show love by listening to one another.

Reorienting Around Life Changes

Keith Webb — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 18:22:41 GMT

My ministry function hasn’t shifted much over the past 10 years. I’m working to equip Christian leaders to change their conversations to multiply their impact—in relationships, in ministry, in work.

Interestingly, the function of other aspects of my life has changed.

Not too long ago, Lori and I spent a large part of our time and energy on our two children: their education, their sports, their nurture. Now they are “launched” and our role with them is less time intensive.

The shift, at times, has been disorienting. As a friend put it, “For 20 years, we made all decisions with kids in mind. What do they need? How do we manage with them?” With just the two of us, the day-to-day equation is different. We’re rediscovering what we need, what we want, and how we are to live.

Many people attending our coaching training are experiencing change in some aspects of their lives. Perhaps exploring new freedoms, new roles, or new life stages.

Retooling your communication is an excellent way to meet the inevitable reorientations caused by change, and to help others do the same.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

Cause and Unintended Effects

Keith Webb — Sat, 02 Mar 2024 01:37:27 GMT

If I hit my thumb with a hammer as I hang a picture, the cause of my pain is apparent. Much of life’s cause and effects are not as plain to see.

I knew a leader who regularly gave his team rousing pep talks to motivate them. The team appreciated the talks, but didn't work together well or support each other. Why?

I’m reminded of the book of Haggai. The people of Jerusalem lived after the destruction of the temple. The people had built nice houses, but the Lord’s house remained a ruin. "Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Give careful thought to your ways’” (Haggai‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬ ‭NIVUK‬‬). The people have not prospered despite their hard work. The Lord was not blessing them because his house as in ruins. Again he says, ‘Give careful thought to your ways’ and instructs them to gather materials to build the Lord’s house.

It’s only when we "give careful thought to our ways" that we can see the unintended effects of our actions.

The leader who gave pep talks had a background of individual competition sports and used those metaphors. The team heard the strive-to-be-the-best pep talks and competed with each other rather than working together. He only uncovered the unintended effect of his pep talks though coaching as "he gave careful thought to his ways.”

Your communication has unintended effects too.

Coaching training provides space for you to “give careful thought to your ways” of communication so that you can get your desired, not unintended, effect.

If you change your conversations, you’ll change your results.

Grace & Peace,

Keith Webb

Keeping up

Keith Webb — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:02:09 GMT

Life has a way of increasing in complexity.

When I grew up there were 2 telephones in our home. My parents replaced them about every 10 years. Now, each person in my family has a phone, which is replaced every 3-4 years. Software needs to be updated several times a year. Someone's screen needs to be replaced once a year.

And that's just the phone.

It feels, at times, I'm mostly just trying to keep up.

With emails.
With housework.
With broken things—software, systems, chairs, faucets.
With relationships.
With electronics.
With cars—maintenance, insurance, cleaning
With credential requirements.
With finances.
And the list goes on and on.

I envy those who downsize their living space. They've cut in half the number of things they need to clean and fix in the smaller space!

The principle here in life terms is: focus.

Everything you create / launch / buy will produce additional things that you need to keep up with. So, only create / launch / buy what is most important to you. And "downsize" things that aren't.

Keeping up is easier if you have less to keep up with.

Slow Questions

Keith Webb — Mon, 01 Jan 2024 21:18:22 GMT

Some questions can only be heard and answered if you slow down.

Ten years ago, I was traveling 70+ nights a year for work and another 20-30 nights with my family. I also led my organization, managed people, taught, and wrote. I was dad to high school kids. A husband. A friend.

My productivity was dialed in. I got a lot done. But it was exhausting.

There were fleeting moments when things would slow enough for me to hear internal questions like,

How long can I keep this up?
Is there another way?

My whole system didn't leave any room to slow down to think about questions like these. If I did slow down for a minute, more nagging internal questions popped up:

Is this how I really want to live?
Is this the most important contribution I can make?
Am I being my best self?

Going fast, I could excuse myself from reflecting on these questions, “because I’m doing the best I can". Besides, I was busy and getting so much done.

I'm struck by how Jesus "often withdrew to lonely places and prayed" (Luke‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬ ‭NIVUK). It seems the busier he was, the more he slowed down to pray and reflect.

When I think about it, it's not surprising that some questions can't be heard or answered when we're running fast. With no time to think, we only react. To keep the system going, we can't stop for a moment. Status quo wins.

I slowed for intentional time to listen and reflect on the troubling questions the Holy Spirit was prompting in me. As a result, I made significant changes that transformed me, our organization, and my relationships.

As you begin 2024, rather than "hitting the ground running" to continue your busy cycle, I encourage you to slow down, sit with your questions, pray, and see what adjustments God might have in mind for you this year.