The Compassionate Leader

Hello, how are you? No, really, how are you? I have been a quiet observer of our Lord as he shifts me from the background to the foreground a a leader and dare I say, a business owner? So, I wanted to talk about being a compassionate leader. I know God is calling me to be a business owner (HELP!) and I have been learning from God on how to be a better leader.

Let's start with the story of my past, shall we? Long ago, on the streets of Texas Southern University, I took on the responsibility of pushing our theater department further than it had been in years. My mom had died during my sophomore year of college. That meant I was now homeless and having to figure things out on my own. last thing my mama told me was, "Do not depend on my family, Troysha! You don't know them like I do. Make sure you take care of yourself and depend on nobody from my family. You ain't got me to depend on, okay? Do you understand me?"That was the last time I would here my mother's voice before she could no longer talk, and a few days later, I would watch her pass away. She would Still try to fight to say something to me before taking her last breath.

The story following my mother's passing will be saved for another blog post, but the truth is, I didn't know what to do with the emotions that would come after my mom passed.

I was suicidal, depressed, angry, and most of all grieving. I didn't know how to deal with these emotions, most of the time It manifested as being overly aggressive, taking things personally, and being manipulative. Marry this within a leadership role on a collegiate level while trying to figure things out. You can only imagine that these feelings of anger, hurt, grief, loss, and depression would influence how I spoke to the people I was supposed to be taking care of.

I am the type of person who feels like everything is training ground for what you are meant to do this in this world. Nothing is truly free right? To me, this means college was a way to test the waters and practice being a professional in this industry. That was the price of my college education and this roleI took as leader was the cost to understanding what I know now. Everything is a blessing or a lesson from God. I was putting active pressure on my colleagues to behave a certain way. To share this same vision. I was passive-aggressive with the messages even though I saw more in them that they probably could see in themselves.

Although I spoke the truth there was no compassion. I was never taught how to be honest without leading with my emotions. I didn't understand that leadership meant coaching. the more I start to study for my master of business administration, the more I learn about leadership.

Leadership is not being of service to your own emotions, ideas, projects, or values. Being a leader is to be of service and to nuture your team's development, growth, direction according to your vision.

Let's look at the Bible, shall we? By the way, this is not going to be an in-depth look at the leadership of God, but instead, we are going to choose some verses that reminds me of leadership from the biblical perpective. This to me exhibits how our Lord Jesus leads.

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭20:25‭-‬28‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[25] But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them]. [26] It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, [27] and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your [willing and humble] slave; [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [paying the price to set them free from the penalty of sin].”

Our Lord our God, putting his life down for the sanctification and cleansing of his people. Being a leader is not about just getting things done or lording over your people, but to serve. Although, we are suffering in our own way this does not give us the right to judge to be inconsiderate of the people that we are leading. Let's look at the book of Luke.

‭‭Luke‬ ‭6:35‭-‬38‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[35] But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked. [36] Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful. [37]  “ Do not judge [others self-righteously], and you will not be judged; do not condemn [others when you are guilty and unrepentant], and you will not be condemned [for your hypocrisy]; pardon [others when they truly repent and change], and you will be pardoned [when you truly repent and change]. [38] Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”

The measurement that you use will be measured back onto you. Although these verses are pertaining to the character you should exhibit as believers, pay attention to the highlighted portion. So what does this mean in leadership? Let's define responsive, compassionate, and tender.

Responsive Is defined as: esponding readily and with interest or enthusiasm.

Compassionate means, feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

And Tender? Tender is feeling or showing sympathy and concern for others.

See, I had the vision of what I wanted this organization to be. And although I wish modeling the way, I wasn't getting to the heart of the people because I was ignoring my own heart. I didn't know God as much as I know him now therefore I didn't know how to surrender all of those things to Christ. Leadership is personal. It's having the heart for your people you are leading, and ultimately you get a better response by being those three words; Responsive, compassionate and tender.

Because I was in a dark terrible place my mesage was lost on people. It often felt like I was trying to be controlling when all I really wanted was to make everyone to come into their own. How are you going to be a better leader? How are you measuring people's dedication? How are you bringing out the best in your folks and being more compassionate even when you may not get that compassion back? How do you rise above and be a better leader or even let people go if they're not moving in a way that you can steward them? Just a thought.

Have a blessed day,

Troy <3