A few weeks ago, I attended John Maxwell’s leadership program and had the privilege of meeting the cast of The Chosen. This show, based on the life and teachings of Jesus, offers profound leadership insights that transcend religious boundaries. As a Sikh, I found the discussions deeply enriching, particularly the story of “Loaves and Fish.”
In the story, Jesus’ disciples were struggling with hunger, and he acknowledged that he couldn’t solve everyone’s problems. Instead, he provided loaves and fish—a simple yet impactful gesture. This story underscores a key leadership principle: we don’t need to solve every problem; we need to do what we can with the resources we have. Often, leaders feel the pressure to tackle every challenge, but the real power lies in recognizing our capabilities and focusing on actionable first steps.
Key Leadership Learnings
Failure as a Catalyst for Growth
The cast emphasized that while God is not the author of failure, He sometimes allows it to facilitate growth. Examined experiences—not unreflective ones—are the true pathways to improvement. Leaders must embrace setbacks as opportunities to learn and evolve.
Focus on Contribution, Not Magnitude
It’s not your job to feed the 5,000; it’s your job to provide the loaves and fish. This lesson teaches humility and surrender. Leaders should focus on doing what they can for the people directly in front of them rather than being overwhelmed by the scale of challenges.
Start Before You’re Ready
Many people wait for a perfect plan before taking action. However, success often comes to those who start and adapt as they go. Leadership requires the courage to begin, even without all the answers.
Consistency Despite Scale
Leadership should remain consistent regardless of the size of the audience or the scope of influence. Whether leading one person or many, the focus should remain on authenticity and connection.
Continuous Growth
Leaders should never be satisfied with where they are. Growth is a constant journey that requires humility, listening, and a willingness to follow others when needed.
Sharing Your Story
People are drawn to authentic stories. As leaders, sharing your journey fosters trust and connection. It’s a reminder that vulnerability and relatability are strengths, not weaknesses. We can’t fix every problem, but the story of “Loaves and Fish” reminds us that leadership is about humility, action, and focusing on what we can do today.
By embracing failure, staying authentic, and starting with what we have, we can make meaningful impacts, one step at a time.
