A letter from Drew Benson, PhD, LP.
I first met Mark Sundby in 2012, when I was a graduate student at the University of Minnesota. Mark had been invited to speak to one of my assessment courses about his work at LeaderWise (then known as North Central Ministry Development Center). While much of our coursework focused on assessing and treating individuals experiencing mental health challenges, Mark introduced us to a different application of psychological assessment: helping clergy and other leaders better understand themselves and their calls.
As someone with a longstanding interest in theology and faith, I remember leaving that class thinking, “I would LOVE to find some way to do that kind of work!” Nearly 15 years later, I feel profoundly grateful to be doing just that.
In one of my many conversations with Mark over the past several months, he shared a story that beautifully illustrates the impact of this work. Early in his tenure as Executive Director, during a board conversation marking the organization’s 35th anniversary, Mark asked how many of the board members had participated in a LeaderWise assessment. More than half raised their hands.
What followed was a remarkable conversation about the ways those experiences had shaped their lives. Some spoke about discovering gifts they hadn’t fully recognized. Others described gaining insight into how they showed up as leaders, partners, parents, colleagues and friends. Still others reflected on how the experience helped them care for themselves more intentionally or discern where God might be calling them next.
That story has come to my mind often because it captures something essential about our work. For more than five decades, LeaderWise has used the scientifically grounded methods of psychology to help people ask big, important questions about themselves and their vocations. We’ve sought to be thoughtful listeners, helping people recognize patterns, discover possibilities, and identify meaningful steps forward.
And while an assessment may take place over just a few hours, its impact can extend across years, relationships, and entire ministries. When leaders grow in self-awareness, become more resilient, or learn to navigate relationships more effectively, those around them benefit as well. The impact ripples outward, touching congregations, organizations, families, and communities in ways we may never fully know.
That’s the legacy I hope we can continue to build upon. Not simply the number of assessments completed or leaders served, but the countless lives touched through healthier, more grounded and effective leadership. It’s a legacy worth celebrating, and one worth sustaining for generations of leaders to come.
