06/01/2026
Lead Courageously by Lisa Dalto
I am a sucker for a story of an underdog.
I root for the ones who have life stacked up against them or who have failed over and over, only to keep trying. Think about Walt Disney, Van Gogh, or, closer to home, Milton Hershey. We may think of them as success stories, yet they each had multiple failures before they became famous. You can argue that they were controversial leaders, and that is often the case. When you lead, you make daily decisions that affect those around you. All leaders are human, and this guarantees that they are far from perfect.
So what makes a great leader?
I won’t look further than Galatians 5:22-23 for important leadership qualities. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” There are some superpowers in that group of qualities.
Many of us have people in our lives who inspire us to be the best version of ourselves. I’ve had many positive role models in my (almost) six decades. I have worked with some in the past, several are current colleagues, a few gems that are good friends, and my family. When I reflect on the people in my life that I admire most, I can recognize similar qualities that make them leaders. I really admire people who show their strength in their compassion for others. Leaders who are willing to serve others with a heart full of gratitude, especially when it’s challenging. Leaders who can laugh at themselves but still hold themselves accountable. Leaders who care for the lost or lonely. The elderly or the troubled souls. The people who look or communicate differently. Leaders who don’t conform into someone else’s idea of who they should be. I am glad to know that my life is full of these brave people, and they give me the courage to lead in my own way. My current path is one that is caught between the generations. My children are just beginning their way as young adults. My parents are late octogenarians who are winding down their journey on Earth. Both these roles, as a parent and a child, require me to dig deep into myself so that I may love each of them through these different stages and ages. I will rely on those leadership traits I most admire and the guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead me down this unknown path.
From the lyrics of the Hillsong UNITED song-Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)
“You’ve never failed and you won’t start now”
I pray for each of you that are reading this to be brave in your own lives and to lead with the fruits of the spirit. What better way to lead than with the guidance of the Holy Spirit?
As God’s chosen people, clothe yourselves with
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
COLOSSIANS 3:12
