20 - Chris Vanbuskirk - Culture, Storytelling & Healthy Standards

Описание: In this conversation, Chris shares why relationships are not just a leadership strength, but a leadership responsibility. From planting a church in small-town Ohio to building a culture where people feel seen, he breaks down how to scale connection beyond the “charismatic leader” and into the whole team.

You’ll also hear a simple, freeing definition of excellence: doing the best with what and who you have, not chasing someone else’s highlight reel. The guys talk about feedback rhythms, wins and praises, and the real fight of letting go so others can grow, even when it “dips” at first.

Plus: Skyline Chili, Ohio food wars, and the legendary “Krispy Kreme with a C” story that somehow turns into an evangelism illustration.

Key takeaways
Relationships scale through stories. You build a culture of connection by repeatedly telling “the one” stories that remind everyone what matters.

Evaluate ministries by fruit. If you cannot name real transformation stories, it may be time to rethink the program, not just push it harder.

Excellence is stewardship, not comparison. “Do the best with what you have” is a standard that keeps teams healthy and moving forward.

Feedback stays normal when leaders model it. If the point leader can own misses, it creates safety for everyone else to learn and improve.

Releasing leaders is a fight. Growth requires letting others carry responsibility, even if it is 80% of “your way” at first.

Excellence serves formation. When excellence becomes more important than developing people, the team misses the mark.


00:00 Intro and food talk
00:19 Five Guys vs In-N-Out, chilaquiles, and Ohio takes
01:15 Skyline Chili explained, and why it is not “regular chili”
04:22 The “Krispy Kreme with a C” origin story
07:20 Laryngitis, leadership life, and a donut evangelism illustration
09:27 Sidecar Leader masterclass ad
10:02 Relationships and building culture that scales
14:09 How to make connection a team value, not just a leader strength
16:50 Wins and praises, building story rhythms into meetings
18:20 Coaching ad
18:53 Heritage, planting Center Point, and navigating criticism
21:42 The Coldplay blog post and the “town hall” meeting
24:12 Patience with resistant people, fruit over frustration
24:59 Starting in a movie theater, earning trust in a small town
28:37 “If this is all I give you, will you steward it well?”
29:56 Team coaching ad
30:51 Excellence redefined: best with what you have
40:32 When excellence becomes an excuse to not develop others
41:06 Releasing leaders after COVID, and the risk of letting go
43:42 The 80% rule, preference vs standard
45:02 “Equipped with a dip” and creating safe places to grow
48:36 Excellence as a vehicle to serve, formation over perfection
49:11 Give Skyline Chili a chance, outro

About Sidecar Leader:

Sidecar Leader is committed to helping church leaders move further, faster—without going alone. Through strategic coaching, creative services, and a proven three-phase process (Discover, Design, Deliver), Sidecar partners with pastors and leadership teams to clarify their vision, overcome challenges, and execute with purpose. Whether you're scaling your church, shifting your strategy, or simply need clarity in your next step, Sidecar helps you lead with confidence.

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