Lead with Love By Donna Bostick

The Leadership People Remember and Love

“Do everything in love.”

1 Corinthians 16:14 NIV

Leadership is hard. People are navigating pressure, uncertainty, exhaustion, and challenges we often cannot see. In the middle of it all, leaders make a daily choice in how they show up.

We can lead with urgency and control, or we can lead with love.

Not weak or passive love, but Christ-like love that is steady, truthful, grace-filled, and rooted in purpose.

The longer I lead, the more convinced I become that people may forget our presentations, strategies, and titles, but they will remember how they felt in our presence. Did they feel seen, encouraged, valued, and cared for? Did they experience Jesus through the way we led?

That matters.

Why Love Matters in Christian Leadership

Leadership can quickly become transactional. Meetings, metrics, deadlines, and deliverables can overshadow the people right in front of us.

But Jesus never treated people like interruptions. He saw them, cared for them, and made time for them. That example should shape the way we lead.

Paul reminds us:

“And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”

Colossians 3:14, The MSG

Before meetings, difficult conversations, and leadership decisions, we are called to put love first.

Leading with Grace and Truth

Leading with love does not mean lowering standards or avoiding accountability. Strong Christian leadership requires both compassion and clarity.

Love shapes how we encourage teams, respond under pressure, navigate challenges, and steward influence. Often, it looks practical: a sincere thank you, a pause before reacting, an apology when we get it wrong, or simply asking, “How can I help?”

These small moments shape culture more than we realize.

A Leadership Challenge

As you lead this week, ask yourself one simple question:

“Will people experience the love of Christ through the way I lead?”

Leadership leaves fingerprints on people’s lives. May our leadership point people toward Jesus.

Donna Bostick serves as Manager of Conference Engagement at CLA. With 28 years of marketplace leadership and a passion for Christian leadership development, she supports leaders in growing, serving, and multiplying God’s light.