Skills
Responsibilities a man must be competent in
These are not badges. They are capabilities required to carry weight. Each section reads like a field manual, not marketing.
Public Speaking & Presence
Men must stand before rooms that matter and speak with calm authority. Presence signals care and conviction before words do.
What competence looks like
- Clear openings that frame purpose within 30 seconds.
- Even pacing, grounded posture, controlled breath.
- Calls to action that are direct without theatrics.
Common failure modes
- Rambling intros that lose the room.
- Apologizing before speaking or softening the message.
- Rushing through tension instead of holding silence.
How Iron Path trains this
- Weekly two-minute briefs recorded and reviewed with a mentor.
- Diction and breath work on camera; posture corrected in session.
- Live reps delivering scripture, field updates, and correction.
Sample exercises (read-only)
Deliver a 3-minute scripture brief without notes; receive written critique.
Record yourself correcting a peer with truth and mercy; review tone.
Practice holding ten seconds of silence after asking for commitment.
Negotiation & Influence
Leading often means holding tension between needs. Influence here is honest, direct, and service-oriented.
What competence looks like
- States non-negotiables and listening goals before entering a conversation.
- Surfaces the other side’s real constraints without pressure or flattery.
- Documents agreements and follows through without being chased.
Common failure modes
- Conceding too quickly to be liked.
- Using pressure or hype to force a close.
- Leaving commitments vague and unowned.
How Iron Path trains this
- Role-play negotiations with mentors observing posture and tone.
- Written negotiation plans with BATNA and red lines before meetings.
- Follow-up writing labs to confirm agreements calmly.
Sample exercises (read-only)
Write your non-negotiables for an upcoming conversation and share with a mentor.
Run a mock objection handling session with a peer listening.
Draft the follow-up email you should send after a hard conversation.
Leadership & Decision-Making
Leadership is costly clarity and staying power. Men here learn to name reality, choose a path, and accept consequences.
What competence looks like
- Makes decisions with stated rationale and timelines.
- Delegates with clear roles and stays present when pressure rises.
- Asks for critique without surrendering responsibility.
Common failure modes
- Waiting for consensus to avoid blame.
- Delegating as abdication instead of support.
- Disappearing when outcomes go poorly.
How Iron Path trains this
- Decision memos weekly with mentor critique.
- After-action reviews with the cohort after every field exercise.
- Leadership rotations during service projects to build stamina.
Sample exercises (read-only)
Write a one-page decision memo for a current crossroad.
Lead a 10-minute AAR and capture next actions with owners.
Assign roles for a service project and stay until teardown is complete.
Sales (Ethical, Value-Based)
Inviting people into good work requires courage and honesty. We sell without manipulation or hype.
What competence looks like
- Frames value in the other person’s language.
- Asks directly for commitments and handles “no” with respect.
- Keeps promises modest and delivery precise.
Common failure modes
- Overpromising to win favor.
- Avoiding the ask to stay comfortable.
- Confusing pressure with conviction.
How Iron Path trains this
- Ethical sales scripts reviewed by mentors.
- Listening labs to mirror and clarify before proposing.
- Live invitation reps to pastors, employers, and peers.
Sample exercises (read-only)
Explain Iron Path to a pastor in three minutes without hype.
Handle one objection on camera and review your tone.
Draft a clean close email with clear next steps.
Operational Excellence
Order is care. Men who carry weight turn vision into steps, owners, and dates.
What competence looks like
- Builds simple systems and checklists others can use.
- Runs pre-mortems to surface failure points early.
- Closes loops with after-action reviews and refinements.
Common failure modes
- Living in ideas without owners or deadlines.
- Assuming people will “figure it out.”
- Letting friction stack without naming it.
How Iron Path trains this
- Weekly operations boards with swimlanes and due dates.
- Pre-mortem workshops before major field events.
- Tight AARs with actions logged to the planner.
Sample exercises (read-only)
Draft a setup/teardown SOP for a Saturday service.
Run a pre-mortem for an upcoming retreat with your cohort.
Hold a 15-minute AAR and capture owners for fixes.
Financial Stewardship
Men steward resources that are not their own. Financial clarity protects families and generosity.
What competence looks like
- Knows exact cash position, obligations, and giving rhythm.
- Plans margins before lifestyle upgrades.
- Invites counsel before significant moves.
Common failure modes
- Guessing at balances and hoping it works out.
- Hiding spending or debt.
- Letting generosity drift because of fear.
How Iron Path trains this
- Monthly cash reviews and generosity plans with mentors.
- Debt and savings strategies documented and revisited.
- Stewardship teaching tied to practical budgets.
Sample exercises (read-only)
List all obligations and dates; share with a mentor.
Build a 90-day margin plan and review monthly.
Write your giving rule and automate it.
Business Ownership & Legacy
Ownership demands sober planning and an eye on those affected. Legacy is built on service, not ego.
What competence looks like
- Frames business as service to community and family.
- Plans impact on people five and ten years out.
- Builds counsel into decisions before moving.
Common failure modes
- Chasing status without counting the cost.
- Acting impulsively without counsel.
- Ignoring downstream effects on family and church.
How Iron Path trains this
- One-page business theses reviewed quarterly.
- Legacy mapping: who is served, who is at risk, who inherits.
- Mentor panels with owners who have carried weight well.
Sample exercises (read-only)
Write a one-page thesis for the venture you are considering.
List people affected by your decision five years from now.
Identify two mentors who will tell you “no” when needed.
Discipline & Personal Order
Without order, nothing else stands. Men need durable rhythms for prayer, rest, work, and training.
What competence looks like
- Keeps a stable wake/rest schedule even under pressure.
- Protects scripture, prayer, and physical training blocks.
- Lets peers see the calendar and hold him to it.
Common failure modes
- Letting fatigue erase spiritual and physical rhythms.
- Hiding drift until it becomes crisis.
- Blaming schedule rather than re-ordering it.
How Iron Path trains this
- Rule of life built in week one with mentor accountability.
- Sleep, phone, and food audits to cut friction.
- Paired check-ins on rhythm adherence every week.
Sample exercises (read-only)
Share your current rule of life with a peer for critique.
Audit your last two weeks of sleep and training.
Name the three non-negotiables you will not sacrifice this quarter.