Counterfeit Leadership: When Influence Profits From Pain

Leaders should never exploit other people’s pain instead of offering hope, healing, and the “how-to” move forward. Not false hope. Not masking, enabling, or trauma bonding. But empathy, real support, and solutions.

Small, tangible acts such as providing the resources someone needs, praying with someone, assisting through mentorship, celebrating milestones, or actively and compassionately listening to someone’s story can make a beautiful difference.

Of course, all leaders are not equal. Some are all about the “self” and idolizing the temporary things in this world, while others are about servant leadership and glorifying God in and throughout their lives. Remember, one way is broad, and many are on it, and the other is narrow, and fewer desire it. But the impact and rewards of the narrow path are beyond anything that the broad could ever give.

People are hurting in our families, communities, and places of work and worship. It should no longer be normal to ignore it. To be entertained by pettiness or destruction.  To think of ourselves more highly than we should. To laugh in agreement with, mock, or be silenced by injustices. Leaders have the amazing capability to change standards and habits for the better. To be conduits of change while inspiring the people around them.

The people that we have the humble privilege to lead are just as important as we are. Those in Christ, let’s do better. Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven [Matthew 5:16].

Rise, leader! Take a stand for what is righteous. May you be strengthened and comforted by the LORD so that you may share the same strength and comfort with others. Experience true freedom and be transformed by the power of God. You are valuable to the kingdom. Don’t sleep on your assignment. Wake up. Step up. We need you. This is the confirmation you’ve been needing. Now is the time.

May your words, actions, and presence demonstrate what you are created to do…be the hands, feet, and mouthpiece to a generation that has forgotten what stewardship, cultivation, and visionary care are all about. And not a counterfeit leadership that influences profits from pain.

Core Brief Internal Moment: Counterfeit Leadership: When Influence Profits From Pain

Whether you lead a family, a team, a business, or a ministry, how can you respond to people's pain in ways that bring healing rather than harm?