Cultivating Leadership Potential

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.​