The call to Lead Radically is a call to live differently. Instead of chasing success or safety, radical leadership follows Jesus with obedience, truth, and bold faith.

Let’s be honest—playing it safe is the default. But if you’re a man who follows Jesus, you’re called to something bolder. Radical leadership is meant to be faithful, intentional, and different from the norm.

Here are five ways to lead Radically when the world says “play it safe”:

1. Lead with Humble Confidence

Philippians 2:5–8
Jesus had all the power in the world, yet He chose humility. That’s not weak—that’s radical. Leading like Him means putting others first, owning your mistakes, and staying grounded.

Deep Dive: The Motive: Why So Many Leaders Abdicate Their Most Important Responsibilities by Patrick Lencioni

Lencioni challenges leaders to examine why they lead. He calls out the ego traps and redirects leaders toward servant leadership—bold but humble, clear but people-centered. 

2. Lead by Telling the Truth—Kindly

Ephesians 4:15
It’s easy to avoid conflict or sugarcoat the truth. But radical leaders say what needs to be said—with clarity and compassion. Truth plus love builds trust.

Deep Dive: Speaking Truth in Love: Counsel in Community by David Powlison

This book gives you language, posture, and wisdom for delivering truth with grace. It’s a go-to guide for having the conversations most men avoid.

3. Lead with Kingdom Priorities

Matthew 6:33
The world chases success. Jesus says, “Seek first the Kingdom.” That means putting God’s purposes above your own comfort or ambition. 

Deep Dive: Seek First: How the Kingdom of God Changes Everything by Jeremy Treat

Treat lays out a compelling, biblically grounded case for why the Kingdom of God isn’t some distant idea—it’s meant to shape every corner of your life. With clarity, theological insight, and real-world application, Seek First shows readers how to live out Matthew 6:33 as the foundation for identity, relationships, work, and purpose.

4. Lead with Obedient Courage

Joshua 1:9
God told Joshua to be strong and courageous—not because things were easy, but because He was with him. Obedience still requires guts.

Deep Dive: Courage Required by John Richie

Richie pushes back on cultural safety and spiritual passivity. He calls men to a faith that actually costs something—and shows why it’s worth it.

5. Lead by Investing in Others

2 Timothy 2:2
You don’t need a platform to lead. You just need to be willing to pour into someone else. Mentoring is how radical leadership multiplies.

Deep Dive: Mentor Like Jesus by Regi Campbell

Regi lays out a practical, replicable model for discipleship that transforms lives—just like Jesus did. It’s the blueprint behind Radical Mentoring itself, and a rallying cry to lead radically by investing your life in others.

Leading radically begins with you. As you prepare to guide the men in your group, remember that your call is not to play it safe but to follow Jesus with bold obedience. Lead your group with humility, truth, Kingdom priorities, courage, and a heart to invest in others. When you lead this way, you create space for transformation — not just in your mentees, but in yourself and in your church community.