If you lead people, you will eventually lead difficult people. The question isn’t if you'll deal with them, but how you will handle it when you do. Whether it’s someone who constantly challenges you, creates friction in the team, or struggles with authority, your response matters more than their behavior.

Grace and Growth
In 2 Timothy 2:24-25, Paul instructs Timothy, "And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth."

​Leading difficult people is not just about solving problems; it’s about creating space for growth. Sometimes, the person who challenges you most is the one God is calling you to shape with the most patience.

Look Beneath the Surface
Behavior is often a symptom, not the root issue.

• Is the person hurt?
• Insecure?
• Burned out?
• Misunderstood?

Asking the right questions can help you lead with compassion instead of frustration. You may not be able to fix everything, but understanding someone’s why can change how you respond.

Lead Without Losing Yourself
Don’t let someone else’s difficulty cause you to lead in a way that’s out of character. Stay grounded. Stay gracious. Stay clear about your expectations. Some people will grow. Some won’t. Your job is to stay faithful.

• Who’s the difficult person you’re leading right now?
• What might God be wanting to teach you through that relationship?

Leading others isn’t always easy. But it is always worth it.

Great leaders listen. It’s not flashy, it’s not loud, and it’s definitely not about having all the answers—but it’s essential. Proverbs 18:13 reminds us, “He who answers before listening—that is his folly and his shame.” When we slow down and truly hear what others are saying, we build trust, encourage growth, and often gain a new perspective ourselves.

Listening Builds Trust
Listening communicates value. When we give someone our full attention, it tells them that their voice matters. In a leadership role, that’s powerful. People don’t just want to be led—they want to be heard. When your team knows you’re not just waiting for your turn to talk, but truly considering their input, trust grows.

Jesus modeled this. He was surrounded by crowds, yet He took the time to hear the cries of individuals—the blind man, the bleeding woman, the children others tried to shoo away. His listening wasn’t passive—it was active, intentional, and full of compassion.

Listening Leads to Better Decisions
Too many leaders rush to respond without fully understanding the issue. Active listening helps you make better, wiser decisions because you're working with complete information—not assumptions. James 1:19 tells us, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” It’s amazing what clarity can come when we prioritize hearing first.

Listening Models Humility
Leaders who listen show they don’t believe they have it all figured out. It takes humility to pause and learn from others, especially those you lead. That humility is contagious—it sets the tone for a culture where feedback is welcomed, ideas are shared, and people feel safe to speak up.

Ask Yourself:

• When was the last time I listened without preparing my response?
• Do people feel heard after speaking with me?
• How can I create more space for voices that often go unheard?

Leadership isn’t just about making noise—it’s about creating space for others to speak into what God is doing.

One of the greatest marks of leadership isn’t what you accomplish—it’s who you raise up along the way. Leaders aren’t just responsible for tasks and goals; we’re stewards of people’s growth. Jesus didn’t just minister to crowds—He invested in a small group of followers and gave them room to grow, make mistakes, and become leaders themselves.

See What Others Can’t
Great leaders don’t just see people as they are—they see who they could become. When you call out potential in someone, you’re helping them see a future they may not even realize is possible. Paul told Timothy, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example…” (1 Timothy 4:12, NIV). Sometimes, all it takes is someone to say, “I see something in you.”

Create Space for Growth
Leadership development doesn’t happen by accident. It takes:

• Opportunity – Let others lead something meaningful
• Encouragement – Build confidence without micromanaging
• Feedback – Offer clear, grace-filled coaching
• Permission to fail – Growth comes through trial and error

If everything depends on you, you’re not leading—you’re bottlenecking. Letting others lead doesn’t dilute your leadership. It multiplies it.

Model What You Want to Multiply
You reproduce what you are. If you want future leaders who are humble, teachable, bold, and compassionate, you’ve got to model that. Paul said in Philippians 4:9, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.” The people you’re developing are watching your example more than your instructions.

Invest for the Long Haul
Raising up leaders is slow work. It takes time, intentionality, and prayer. But it’s worth it. Think about the leaders who invested in you. What if they hadn’t? Now it’s your turn to do for others what someone once did for you. Don’t just build your leadership—build a legacy.​

Leadership isn’t about a title—it’s about influence. You don’t need to be at the top of an org chart to make a difference. Some of the most effective leaders are those who lead well from the middle. When you're not in charge, you still have a responsibility—and an opportunity—to lead with integrity, excellence, and purpose.

Lead with Character, Not Control
It can be frustrating to feel like you don’t have the authority to make big decisions. But even when you're not calling the shots, you can still shape culture, encourage others, and pursue excellence. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” (NIV) Lead in a way that honors God, even if your name’s not on the door.
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Influence Through Service
The best way to lead without authority is to serve others. Leadership isn’t about being in charge—it’s about adding value. Look for ways to support your team, uplift your leader, and own your responsibilities. Jesus led this way—He washed feet, served meals, and laid down His life. Philippians 2:5-7 reminds us to have the same mindset.

Support the Leader Above You
You may not always agree with those in charge, but you can still support them with respect and honesty. That doesn’t mean blind obedience—it means choosing unity, offering feedback graciously, and being someone your leader can trust. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Good followers sharpen good leaders.

Stay Faithful in the Now
Don’t wait for a title to start leading. Be faithful with the influence you have right now. Luke 16:10 says, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much.” If you lead well from where you are, you’ll be ready when more responsibility comes.

Great leadership isn’t about having the right title—it’s about influence, integrity, and the ability to inspire others. Some of the best leaders I’ve known weren’t the ones in charge, but the ones who stepped up, served others, and made an impact where they were. Jesus Himself modeled this kind of leadership. Philippians 2:7 tells us that He “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant” (NIV). True leadership isn’t about position; it’s about action.

Influence Over Position
Some of the most effective leaders don’t have an official title. They lead because people trust them, because they’re consistent, and because they serve selflessly. Think about the people in your life who have shaped you the most. Chances are, they didn’t need a title to lead—they led by example. If you wait until you have a title to start leading, you’re missing the point. Leadership isn’t given; it’s lived out.

Leading by Serving
In the Kingdom of God, leadership looks different than in the world. Jesus flipped the script when He said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26, NIV). Leadership isn’t about being first—it’s about putting others first. If you want to lead, start by serving. Look for opportunities to help, encourage, and build up those around you. The best leaders don’t climb over others to reach the top; they lift others up along the way.

Leadership in the Small Things
You don’t need a big stage or a fancy title to make a difference. Leadership happens in the everyday moments—when you show up on time, when you take responsibility, when you do the right thing even when no one’s watching. Luke 16:10 reminds us, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (NIV). If you want to be trusted with more, be faithful with what’s in front of you right now.

Lead Where You Are
Don’t wait for a title to start leading. Find ways to serve, to encourage, and to make a difference right where you are. Leadership isn’t about authority; it’s about responsibility. Whether you’re leading a team, a family, or just yourself, take ownership of the impact you have.

​If you lead well in the small things, greater opportunities will come.