More & Better

The Next Level by Scott Elbin

By June 30, 2026No Comments

Big Idea

Blog Image More Better Elbin UCYC

The behaviors that make you successful in one leadership role can become liabilities in the next. As your influence grows, leadership becomes more about intentionally changing how you think, communicate, and lead. Moving to the next level requires deliberately picking up new behaviors and letting go of old ones.

Core Framework — Pick This Up. Let That Go.

Eblin organizes the book around intentionally adopting behaviors that fit executive leadership while releasing habits that no longer serve you.

Pick Up:

  • Reflection

    • Create margin to think strategically instead of living in constant reaction.

  • Breadth

    • Expand your perspective beyond your department or specialty to see the entire organization.

  • Collaboration

    • Lead through influence rather than relying primarily on authority or personal expertise.

  • Personal Renewal

    • Protect your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual capacity so you can consistently lead at a high level.

Let Go:

  • Relentless Activity

    • Being busy is not the same as being effective.

  • Functional Myopia

    • Don’t become trapped by your own expertise or department.

  • One-Size-Fits-All Communication

    • Different people require different approaches.

  • Control

    • Develop others instead of trying to solve every problem yourself.

  • Neglecting Yourself

    • Sustainable leadership requires intentional renewal, not constant sacrifice.

Why This Book Stands Out

  • Addresses the difficult transition from capable manager to effective executive.
  • Focuses on changing leadership habits rather than acquiring more leadership knowledge.
  • Offers practical, actionable behaviors that compound over time.
  • Recognizes that every promotion requires becoming a different kind of leader —not simply a better version of your current self.

Playbook for Leaders & Pastors

30 Days

  • Identify one behavior you need to let go of and one behavior you need to pick up.

60 Days

  • Block weekly strategic thinking time on your calendar and protect it like any other important meeting.

90 Days

  • Ask trusted colleagues:
    • What leadership habit should I stop?
    • What leadership habit would most increase my effectiveness if I developed it?

Quotables

  • Every new level of leadership requires a new way of leading.
  • Leadership growth often begins with letting go.
  • Reflection is an executive discipline.
  • Sustainable leadership requires sustainable energy.

Who Should Read It

  • CEOs and executive leaders
  • Executive pastors and ministry leaders
  • Directors preparing for senior leadership
  • High-capacity leaders navigating increased organizational complexity

Bottom Line

Leadership at the next level isn’t achieved by working harder or knowing more. It comes from intentionally replacing the habits that made you successful yesterday with the behaviors required for the responsibilities you carry today.

Click here to order this book on Amazon.

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