Exceptional Leaders Harvest Notes


by Roger Reimer


Bookstores are filled with books that describe good leaders whose skill lists include goal-setting, planning and budgeting. But from my personal experience, two qualities which clearly mark someone as exceptional and giſted are recognized and val- ued by everyone. Tese are not new, but can be seen in the life of Jesus in the New Testament.


Exceptional leaders see the potential in others. During the process of Jesus selecting the disciples, he saw the potential in each of these individuals. Even today when we view the Twelve, we wonder what Jesus used as criteria for his selection process. But Jesus knew what he was looking for and was able to see the potential of each person who would become a member of his ministry. We have all heard how Peter repeatedly denied any famil-


iarity with Jesus during the unjust trial and then how Jesus restored Peter to be the man of God he became. And what about the apostle Paul who went about the country seeking out Christians to punish and destroy, yet aſter encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus, became a mighty defender of Christianity? What is especially rewarding is when someone excels at a new


responsibility, and the comments are heard that others would not have expected that kind of result. Seeing another friend succeed is always a source of encouragement. Have you ever experienced someone seeing the potential in you for a responsibility? Do you remember how encouraged you were?


Exceptional leaders recognize a wounded individual, and then do something about it to restore that person. Not all of Jesus’ healing efforts were for physical health issues; he was able to identify what the person was suffering from and offer the appropriate healing touch to restore that person. Te Samari- tan woman at the well was restored to credibility, as evidenced by many in the community believing her story and coming to Jesus. You know how debilitating it is to have an emotional wound


that was caused by an unresolved conflict. Forgiveness is oſten the appropriate healing touch needed to restore the one suffering from an emotional wound. Maybe you have experienced the dis- couraging effect of an unresolved conflict and then the huge relief that a healthy restoration can have. We all need to be “wounded healers,” to borrow a phrase from Henri Nouwen. As I wrote this article, it became obvious to me that in many


cases Jesus found people who were hurting for one reason or another and was able to restore them to health and then see the potential in them for their future. Tat had to be an encouraging time in the life of these first-century people. And you know what, this can be our story as well. We can move from an injury caused by an unkind word to a place of healing and restoration to become all that God wants for each one of us. Tink about it; that’s what we all want, isn’t it? To be healthy


members of God’s family with lives filled with meaning and hope. So if you are in leadership, ask God for wisdom to see the potential in others. Ask for God’s grace to recognize and restore the wounded.


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