Forgiveness has a special power to keep us growing and moving forward together, toward the visions and missions that matter to us. Let’s take a moment to think about how Jesus created cultures of forgiveness and growth, even when His followers were at their "worst." Friend, when we lead or manage teams long enough, we get to see people at their best... and their worst. The best moments in our workplaces, homes, and faith communities are truly thrilling. But those worst moments? They can be pretty tough. Sometimes they can even make our blood boil. By the worst, I mean anything from complaining and negligence to outright betrayal. If you've been in leadership long enough, you know what I mean. So, what should we do when we encounter the worst in people? Believe the Best! Believe they are capable of so much more. 💪 Believe they can make better choices. 🌟 Believe they, as a human, are more important than the problems they have created . 🤝 Jesus, our Master Leader, modeled this when He saw and believed the best in people, even when those closest to Him showed up at their worst. Remember how He responded to Peter’s betrayal? Peter was devastated by how he had failed his friend, something he never thought he was capable of doing. Jesus understood Peter's dismay and shame. And Jesus looked past his betrayal—into the future and into Peter's potential. He moved toward Peter to restore their relationship. Jesus loved Peter, saw the greatness in him, and knew Peter was destined to be the foundational leader of His Church! Missions can be won or lost by our response to people’s failures. Yes, friend, this is a hard reality and leading from a place of forgiveness can be difficult, painfully difficult… It can be so hard. It’s not for the faint of heart. Does this mean we should excuse problems people create or give them permission to keep creating them? Not at all. Does this mean they don’t face consequences for their actions? No! It means while experiencing the worst, we believe in their best. Believing and acting for their best… If this is someone who works for you , it may mean they are honorably and ethically fired. If this is a friend or family member , it may mean there are boundaries set in your relationship. If this is someone who has committed a crime against you , it may mean they experience lawful consequences. Believing and acting for someone’s best also means we have our own work of forgiveness to do. It means we “forgive as the Lord has forgiven us,” friend. Forgiving like Jesus—it may be free to the receiver, but it’s costly to the giver. It cost Jesus His life! Extending forgiveness freely doesn’t mean the offender avoids consequences—far from it! Forgiveness never says, “What they did was okay.” Instead, it declares, “What this person did was wrong AND I forgive them.” In fact, facing consequences can often be the catalyst that helps them transition from their worst behaviors and grow into their best selves. Create a Culture of Forgiveness and Growth Believe the best… understand the worst. This isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the loving, the strong—for leaders who understand their own capacities for both "best" and "worst" living. It’s for those willing to forgive like Jesus—even when it’s incredibly painful and difficult. As we navigate the waters of leadership and forgiveness, we need trusted people in our corner who can support us and help us find our way forward. Don’t do this alone, friend. Connect with others; I’d be honored to help you lead or manage, believing the best and understanding the worst. ( Schedule an inquiry call to learn more and see if this would be a good option for you​ .) Take a moment. Think about a way someone has hurt you or a recent mistake someone on your team made... or maybe a friend or family member. Who comes to mind? Your belief in their potential can inspire the courage they need to rise and try again (Proverbs 24:16). 🚀 Let’s keep braving this life and leadership journey together. Let’s keep believing the best about our own and each other’s abilities, applying timeless wisdom to create the coach-approach cultures of forgiveness and growth our modern workforce longs for.

In our last blog, we discussed how questions unlock insight and generate action. Today, let’s talk about the human and missional impact of listening like Jesus. Practice #2: Listen Intently Jesus' Example: Consider His interaction with the woman at the well (John 4:7-26). He was completely present, listened to her story, understood her needs, and responded with empathy and wisdom. 💧 His loving and genuine engagement inspired her to share about Him with others, furthering His earthly mission. Here are important reminders for us, friend: While Jesus was always aware of His mission, His every action was driven by love. ❤️ So, I want to be clear— I’m not sharing these practices as a way to disguise care for the purpose of coercing others for missional gains . Instead, I'm sharing them to encourage us to continually give of ourselves, to humbly love and lead just as Jesus did — practices that naturally lead to the best outcomes for everyone involved. Listen Intently: Let’s grow together in truly understanding others, not just giving them ‘air time.’ Let’s demonstrate humility and believe that what they have to say holds genuine value (James 1:19). This was a cornerstone of Jesus' interactions. He genuinely listened , which had a transformational impact on people and His relationships with them. Impacts of Listening: Listening intently can help us build stronger connections, foster trust, and understand the needs and motivations of our people more deeply. We’ll be able to care in ways that matter most to them. As they feel even more valued and heard, they are freed up to join us in taking greater ownership of missional outcomes. 🤝 Try This... In your next conversation, focus on seeking to truly understand the other person's perspective without immediately inserting your thoughts. Use phrases like, "Please say more about that," or "What do you think we should do next?" These approaches show you value their input and invite open and honest engagement. Getting a little personal here, friend: How intently would your people say you listen to them? 🤔 … Team members, family, friends? Imagine being in a meeting or conversation where you focus entirely on what someone else is saying. How would that change your interactions? Your outcomes? Who in your life needs you to lean in and listen this week? Ask them a question, then practice listening intentionally; if it helps, just remind yourself: “Keep your lips closed, champ.” 😉  I’m excited we can keep moving forward and growing together!