Episode 3: She Leads//Leading While Wounded

Leadership often demands perseverance, even amidst personal pain. How can we lead authentically when we ourselves are hurting? Let’s explore this together." https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/zion-s-voice-kingdom-conversations--884396/support

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Where we tackle the real and raw challenges of being

(00:03):
a woman in leadership. Taste topic is one that many
might never talk about or even shy away from, but
it's deeply personal for so many of us, and it's
the discussion of leading well wounded, serving when you're still healing.

(00:24):
You know, leadership doesn't stop just because life hurts, whether
it's a heartbreak or betrayal or deep personal laws, we're
expected to keep going. Well, how do we do that
while staying authentic and whole. Well that's what we're going
to talk about.

Speaker 2 (00:41):
So let's welcome to the Heart of Zion podcast, where
Kingdom Conversations expand our growth. Make sure to subscribe and
explore resources at Heartofzion dot org. Now let's dive into
today's episode.

Speaker 3 (00:56):
I just want to start with this simple truth. Everyone
is carrying wounds, but for leaders, those wounds often stay
hidden because we fear being seen as a weak individual.
You know, the pressure to appear all put together while

(01:16):
leading can really be overwhelming. The Bible gives us an
incredible example of this, and Apostle Paul in tewod Corinthians
chapter twelve seven to ten, Paul speaks about his thorn.

Speaker 1 (01:31):
In the flesh.

Speaker 3 (01:33):
You know.

Speaker 1 (01:33):
In the Greek word, the thorn is scollops, which means
something sharp and painful, like a steak, meant to torment.
Paul begged God to take it away, but instead God said,
my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is

(01:54):
made perfect in weakness. Paul teaches us that our wounds
aren't obstacles to leadership, but opportunities for God's power to
shine through. Think about this. When we lead from our wounds,
we're often more empathetic, more understanding, and more real. But

(02:20):
first we have to recognize and admit that those wounds
actually exist, and not try to constantly bury them. Brain
Brown in her book Daring Greatly, she talks about the
courage it takes to embrace vulnerability. She calls it the

(02:42):
birthplace of innovation and creativity and change. I believe it's
also the birthplace of an authentic leadership. You know, it's
a delicate balance, isn't it. How do we acknowledge our
wounds without letting them consume us? How do we remain

(03:06):
vulnerable while staying responsible for those we lead? David has
a story of this powerful example before becoming King. David
spent years fleeing from Saul, often in the caves or
in the wilderness. He was wounded, emotionally betrayed by the

(03:27):
very man he served. Yet in those moments, heroes some
most vulnerable psalms like Psalm thirty four eighteen. The Lord
is close to the broken hearted and saves those who
are crushed in spirit. The Hebrew work for the broken

(03:51):
is shabbar. It means to be shattered, like a broken potter.
God isn't asking us to pretend our pieces aren't broken.
He's asking us to bring those pieces to him. One
way to find vulnerability and responsibility is through trusted relationships,
having people in a circle who can hold your pain

(04:14):
without judgment. It can be a mentor a counselor, or
even appear in ministry. But we have to stop trying
to hide it and be afraid and delegate tasks to
trust the team members when you need time to heal.

(04:35):
This might be the hardest truth to accept. You're wounded,
or your wound has a purpose. That betrayal, that failure,
that heartbreak, It's not been wasted. God has a way
of weaving even the darkest moments of our life into

(04:57):
something so beautiful Joseph was a prime example. He was
betrayed by his brothers. Can you imagine being sold into
slavery and then thrown into prison, and yet by the
end of the story. In Genesis fifty twenty, Joseph says,
you intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.

(05:21):
To accomplish what is now being done, the saving of
many lives. What if our wounded part has a bigger story.
What if it's shaping us into the kind of leader
who can empathize with the broken and comfort the hurting,

(05:45):
and lead with a death of wisdom that can only
come from a place of pain. The word comfort in
Second Corinthians Chapter one four is paracleses. It means to
come alongside to a courage. God doesn't just comfort us
so that we can feel better, He comforts us so

(06:06):
we can turn around and comfort others. Let's get practical.
How do we really actually lead while we're still healing?

Speaker 3 (06:17):
Well?

Speaker 1 (06:17):
The first thing we have to learn, if you haven't
learned yet, is to set boundaries. Learn to say no
when you need rest. Boundaries aren't selfish, they're essential. The
second part is to prioritize your self care. This isn't

(06:38):
just a bubble bath in a spa day. It's the
real work of soul care, prayer, counseling, journaling, and spending
that intimate time with God and three leaning into a community.

(06:59):
Don't have to carry this alone. Build a circle of
trusted people who will uplift and support you through this.
I want to recommend some books if you're looking for
more guidance, I'm gonna recommend that you read Leading while
Bleeding by Anthony McFarlane. It dives into how to navigate

(07:23):
leadership challenges while managing personal pain. But here's today's takeaway.
Your wounds don't disqualify you from leadership. They just make
you human. And in your humanity, God's powers made perfect
asa at forty twenty nine says he gives strength to

(07:45):
the weary and increases the power of the week. So
if you're leading while wounded, know this, You're not alone
and you will never be alone in this. God is
with us. Other people have also or are in it,
or have been through this. And I tell you what

(08:07):
his grace it is more than enough. So I thank
you for joining me today And she leads unfiltered. If
this episode resonated with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Sure this with someone who needs that encouragement, and let's
see to conversate the conversation going until the next time,

(08:29):
Keep leading with grace and authenticity.