Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
*What if the most important work God is doing in your leadership right now is not through you, but in you?*
## Summary
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Dr. Richard Clinton about how God develops leaders over time through formation, testing, experience, and response. Drawing on leadership emergence theory and decades of ministry experience, Richard explains why the years between ages 25 and 35 are especially significant for character formation, mentoring, and learning to lead for the long haul.
## Main Points
- Leadership is both shaped by God and developed over time; it does not appear fully formed overnight.
- God is often more concerned with who a leader is becoming than with what that leader is accomplishing.
- The 25–35 stage is often a crucial season of *inner life growth* and *ministry maturing**
- Four core character foundations for emerging leaders are *integrity, obedience, humility, and faith*.
- God uses tests and checks throughout a leader’s life to strengthen character and response.
- Mentors are essential for helping leaders navigate difficult seasons, avoid burnout, and finish well.
- Two stabilizing truths for every leader: *God is with you* and *God wants to help you*
## Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
Here are the *top related episodes* I found from the Lausanne Movement Podcast archive:
1. *The Art of Whole Life Mentorship: An Interview with Ole-Magnus Olafsrud*(lausanne.org/podcast/the-art-of-whole-life-mentorship-an-interview-with-ole-magnus-olasfrud)
A closely related conversation on mentoring younger leaders for global mission through whole-life mentoring, generational disciple-making, and relational investment.
2. *Discipling Future Leaders for Global Mission: Nana Yaw Offei Awuku on Building Generational Impact & YLG 2026*(lausanne.org/podcast/discipling-future-leaders-for-global-mission-nana-yaw-offei-awuku-on-building-generational-impact-ylg-2026)
This episode connects strongly with Richard Clinton’s focus on emerging leaders by exploring generational intentionality, mentoring, and the long-term impact of investing in younger leaders for mission.
## Links & Resources
- *Clinton Leadership 2.0*(https://www.clintonleadership.com) — Richard Clinton’s website, which exists to continue the work of J. Robert Clinton and Richard Clinton by helping leaders finish well.
- *The Making of a Leader*(clintonleadership.com/books.aspx) by J. Robert Clinton — the foundational book behind much of the conversation on leadership emergence and lifelong formation.
- *Connecting*(clintonleadership.com/books.aspx) by Paul D. Stanley and J. Robert Clinton — a mentoring resource Richard specifically recommends in the interview.
- *Courses from Clinton Leadership 2.0*(clintonleadership.com/courses.aspx) — Richard mentions courses and leadership development tools available through the Clinton Leadership site.
- *Leadership coaching with Richard Clinton*(clintonleadership.com/coaching.aspx) — coaching resources for leaders seeking help understanding their development journey.
- *“The Emerging Leader” article by J. Robert Clinton*(clintonleadership.com/resources/complimentary/TheEmergingLeader.pdf) — a useful complementary resource on early leadership development. -
## *Richard Clinton Bio*
Dr. Richard Clinton is a leadership mentor, pastor, and co-founder of the Clinton Leadership Network, dedicated to helping leaders understand how God develops their calling, character, and influence over a lifetime. Building on the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. J. Robert Clinton, Richard has spent more than four decades studying, teaching, and coaching leaders around the world.
He has served in a wide range of ministry roles—including church planter, pastor, professor, consultant, and leadership trainer—and has worked with leaders across cultures and contexts globally. Richard also continues to steward and expand the leadership development insights behind *The Making of a Leader*, equipping emerging and seasoned leaders to grow in character and finish well.
00:00 Podcast Community Invite
03:49 Richard Background
06:26 Parenting Lessons
09:23 Leadership Emergence Theory
14:14 Six Phases Overview
24:46 Ages 25 to 35 Focus
26:11 Four Character Anchors
28:08 Pacing the Marathon
30:14 Integrity and Obedience Tests
30:34 God Loves Tests
31:04 Integrity Checks Explained
31:47 Daniel and Real Life
33:20 Obedience Humility Faith
34:52 Retesting and Pivotal Moments
36:16 Saul Versus David
37:15 Mentors Prevent Burnout
40:02 Defining Mentoring
41:33 Nine Types of Mentors
43:40 Advice for Mentors
46:27 What Makes Mentoring Work
48:35 Resources and Contact
50:44 Final Lessons and Prayer
*What if the most important work God is doing in your leadership right now is not through you, but in you?*
## Summary
In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, Jason Watson speaks with Dr. Richard Clinton about how God develops leaders over time through formation, testing, experience, and response. Drawing on leadership emergence theory and decades of ministry experience, Richard explains why the years between ages 25 and 35 are especially significant for character formation, mentoring, and learning to lead for the long haul.
## Main Points
- Leadership is both shaped by God and developed over time; it does not appear fully formed overnight.
- God is often more concerned with who a leader is becoming than with what that leader is accomplishing.
- The 25–35 stage is often a crucial season of *inner life growth* and *ministry maturing**
- Four core character foundations for emerging leaders are *integrity, obedience, humility, and faith*.
- God uses tests and checks throughout a leader’s life to strengthen character and response.
- Mentors are essential for helping leaders navigate difficult seasons, avoid burnout, and finish well.
- Two stabilizing truths for every leader: *God is with you* and *God wants to help you*
## Lausanne Movement Podcast Archive
Here are the *top related episodes* I found from the Lausanne Movement Podcast archive:
1. *The Art of Whole Life Mentorship: An Interview with Ole-Magnus Olafsrud*(lausanne.org/podcast/the-art-of-whole-life-mentorship-an-interview-with-ole-magnus-olasfrud)
A closely related conversation on mentoring younger leaders for global mission through whole-life mentoring, generational disciple-making, and relational investment.
2. *Discipling Future Leaders for Global Mission: Nana Yaw Offei Awuku on Building Generational Impact & YLG 2026*(lausanne.org/podcast/discipling-future-leaders-for-global-mission-nana-yaw-offei-awuku-on-building-generational-impact-ylg-2026)
This episode connects strongly with Richard Clinton’s focus on emerging leaders by exploring generational intentionality, mentoring, and the long-term impact of investing in younger leaders for mission.
## Links & Resources
- *Clinton Leadership 2.0*(https://www.clintonleadership.com) — Richard Clinton’s website, which exists to continue the work of J. Robert Clinton and Richard Clinton by helping leaders finish well.
- *The Making of a Leader*(clintonleadership.com/books.aspx) by J. Robert Clinton — the foundational book behind much of the conversation on leadership emergence and lifelong formation.
- *Connecting*(clintonleadership.com/books.aspx) by Paul D. Stanley and J. Robert Clinton — a mentoring resource Richard specifically recommends in the interview.
- *Courses from Clinton Leadership 2.0*(clintonleadership.com/courses.aspx) — Richard mentions courses and leadership development tools available through the Clinton Leadership site.
- *Leadership coaching with Richard Clinton*(clintonleadership.com/coaching.aspx) — coaching resources for leaders seeking help understanding their development journey.
- *“The Emerging Leader” article by J. Robert Clinton*(clintonleadership.com/resources/complimentary/TheEmergingLeader.pdf) — a useful complementary resource on early leadership development. -
## *Richard Clinton Bio*
Dr. Richard Clinton is a leadership mentor, pastor, and co-founder of the Clinton Leadership Network, dedicated to helping leaders understand how God develops their calling, character, and influence over a lifetime. Building on the groundbreaking research of his father, Dr. J. Robert Clinton, Richard has spent more than four decades studying, teaching, and coaching leaders around the world.
He has served in a wide range of ministry roles—including church planter, pastor, professor, consultant, and leadership trainer—and has worked with leaders across cultures and contexts globally. Richard also continues to steward and expand the leadership development insights behind *The Making of a Leader*, equipping emerging and seasoned leaders to grow in character and finish well.
00:00 Podcast Community Invite
03:49 Richard Background
06:26 Parenting Lessons
09:23 Leadership Emergence Theory
14:14 Six Phases Overview
24:46 Ages 25 to 35 Focus
26:11 Four Character Anchors
28:08 Pacing the Marathon
30:14 Integrity and Obedience Tests
30:34 God Loves Tests
31:04 Integrity Checks Explained
31:47 Daniel and Real Life
33:20 Obedience Humility Faith
34:52 Retesting and Pivotal Moments
36:16 Saul Versus David
37:15 Mentors Prevent Burnout
40:02 Defining Mentoring
41:33 Nine Types of Mentors
43:40 Advice for Mentors
46:27 What Makes Mentoring Work
48:35 Resources and Contact
50:44 Final Lessons and Prayer
