On this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Barry Corey.
Dr. Barry H. Corey is the eighth president of Biola University, a top-ranked Christian liberal arts university, and author of several books, including Love Kindness: Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue. A native of Massachusetts, President Corey received his Ph.D. from Boston College and was a Fulbright Scholar in Bangladesh. He currently serves or has recently served on governing boards such as the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and the Museum of the Bible. He and his wife, Paula, have three adult children: Anders, Ella, and Samuel.
Along with Dr. John Townsend, he’s the co-author of the new book, Necessary Burdens.
Key Takeaways
- Top-Level Leadership Is “Splendid Agony”: While leading an organization is a sacred and rewarding trust (splendid), being at the top brings unavoidable, heavy weights—such as extreme loneliness, relentlessness of challenges, and carrying unresolved issues (agony). These existential burdens are unique to top leaders and can only be escaped by leaving the role.
- Burdens Are Necessary Tools for Growth, Not Just Obstacles: When stewarded well, leadership burdens aren’t meant to destroy or deplete you; they are designed to build internal fortitude, humility, and long-term resilience. Leaders must shift from seeing these challenges as setbacks to viewing them as essential tools that refine their leadership.
- Healthy Leadership Requires Active Presence and Ongoing Listening: Effective leaders don’t rely solely on their initial entry plan—they practice continuous “incarnational leadership” by listening to their people over time. Leaders must remember they steward an organization for a season, stay grounded in humility, and realize that how they carry themselves profoundly impacts the culture and lives of their employees.
Christian Business Leader is the show for marketplace Christians seeking to explore and apply God’s will for business. If you want to learn more about how to do business for the glory of God and shape culture through discipling the business world, this show is for you.