Why Men Are Failing to Lead & How We Can Fix It

In today’s upside-down culture, the crisis of leadership among men isn’t just a societal trend,it’s a spiritual emergency. At Mighty Oaks, we’ve seen firsthand the fallout: broken homes, directionless youth, and communities unraveling from the inside out. But the issue isn’t a lack of leadership potential. It’s a rejection of what true, biblical leadership actually is.

So what’s gone wrong and how do we fix it?

The Passive Crisis: When Men Abdicate the Call

Most of the struggling youth Sean Kennard has worked with in his Law Enforcement career share one painful commonality: a father who failed to lead.

Some disappeared. Others were present but passive. Both made the same decision to abandon their God-given role as leaders in the home.

As Jeremy Stalnecker references: “There comes a point in the life of men where they need to reject passivity, accept responsibility, and lead courageously.”

Leadership isn’t optional. Every man will lead something: his family, his habits, his choices, or even just himself. The only question is how.

The Cultural Confusion: Redefining Strength

Culture today glorifies loud voices and larger-than-life personalities figures like Andrew Tate or the Liver King. Confidence, dominance, and self-promotion are often mistaken for leadership. But as pointed out in the episode, “That’s not leadership. That’s just broken people trying to lead a broken culture.”

Real leadership isn’t self-centered. It’s self-sacrificial. It’s not about getting what you want. It’s about using your influence to help others grow.

The Biblical Model: Leadership That Looks Like Jesus

The ultimate example of leadership is Jesus Christ, not because He ruled with force, but because He led with humility, strength, and clarity of purpose.

Philippians 2 describes Him as God in the flesh, who “humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” He didn’t need anything from us, yet He gave everything for us.

That’s servant leadership. That’s the model we’re called to follow.

Leadership at Home: The First Battlefield

Leadership begins in the home, not in the boardroom, not in the spotlight.

As Jeremy reflects, “The husband your wife needs is found in the Bible. The father your kids need is in the Bible.”

Let your children see you reading Scripture. Let them hear you pray. Let them watch you seek wise counsel. Your example will shape their future.

From Philosophy to Action: Build the System

It’s not enough to want to be a leader. You need to train for it, just like you would train for a black belt in jiu-jitsu or a promotion in the military.

Here’s a starting system:

• Be in the Word: Let Scripture define your values.

• Be in Prayer: Leadership begins with listening to God.

• Have a Corner Man: Don’t walk this alone. Find accountability.

• Join Community: Wrestle with truth alongside other men.

• Mentor and Be Mentored: Both directions matter.

Leadership without intentional structure defaults to failure. Start building yours today.

Leadership in the Real World: Standing in the Tension

One of the most powerful moments in the episode came from a comment on a previous episode by a Marine struggling with orders that conflicted with his convictions. What do you do when the environment demands one thing and your faith calls for another?

The answer: clarity in identity.

When your identity is in Christ, you don’t have to fear outcomes. You obey with courage, knowing your character matters more than your career.

Final Word: The Choice Is Yours

Every man will lead, either passively or purposely. You don’t get to opt out.

If you’re unsure where to begin, start here:

• Choose to reject passivity.

• Choose to accept responsibility.

• Choose to lead courageously.

At Mighty Oaks, we don’t just talk about leadership, we train men to live it. Because strong men build strong families. And strong families change everything.

Ready to take the first step? Apply for one of our programs today. Your legacy depends on it.