Becoming a Leader Who Multiplies

By Laura Scheidhauer, Founder & President, LHS Consulting, LLC

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We’ve all heard the old saying, “Actions speak louder than words.”

James highlights this truth clearly:

“What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? … So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless” (James 2:14-17).

The value of our faith is displayed through our actions. To be effective, faith must be lived out in meaningful ways that influence those around us.

Yet, there is a common misconception that to succeed in the marketplace, we must relegate our faith to home and church. In today’s culture, which champions authenticity, believers have an opportunity to be authentic and bring their faith into their work lives.

Some of the most successful individuals and companies openly live their faith in the workplace.

Scripture teaches us that denying Christ before others leads to Him denying us (Matthew 10:33). Sharing what we have experienced in Christ is the outward action of an inward transformation.

Paul’s instruction in 2 Timothy 2:2 provides a powerful framework:

“And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

The challenge comes when we attempt to live out a faith disconnected from the overflow of our hearts. Our faith will touch others most when it springs from genuine gratitude and awareness of God’s love. As 1 John 4:19 reminds us:

“We love because he first loved us.”

We love others best when we fully grasp God’s mercy and love for us. You cannot give what you do not possess. To influence others effectively, we must first become faith-filled followers of Christ.

Then, we will be all He created us to be so that we can do all He created us to do. There’s an order of operations here: first become, then do.

Peter outlines this process as one characteristic leads to the next:

“By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. 10 Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall.” (2 Peter 1:4-10).

First, we become partakers of God’s divine nature through the Holy Spirit and then cultivate these qualities. As we continue to grow in our faith and walk with God, our faith and knowledge become more effective and fruitful.

Similar to the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23, these qualities manifest in our lives and multiply in others. This external fruit—more believers—is one of the essential evidences of our faith.

Practical Application for Leaders

Let’s look at how leaders can live out the process outlined by Peter.

Virtue is the beginning. Virtue is goodness, honesty, and integrity. Leaders with integrity demonstrate transparency in communication.

They avoid exaggerating their success or value, don’t promise things they cannot deliver, and admit their own weaknesses and mistakes, learning from and overcoming them. They do the right thing even when it’s costly and serve their teams humbly as God pleasers instead of people pleasers.

Knowledge builds on virtue. Leaders are lifelong learners committed to personal, professional, and spiritual growth. Knowledge equips leaders to act with wisdom and discernment.

Knowledge fosters self-control. Self-control is the discipline to stay focused, speak carefully, and remain composed under pressure.

It enables leaders to speak with discretion and clarity, which builds relational trust. Clarity is power. Communicating the right information to the right people at the right time. This discipline empowers leaders to persevere, even in the face of challenges.

Perseverance is steadfastness and faithfulness to and for the team. A faithful leader is steadfast amidst the relentless demands of mentoring, training, strategizing, relationship-building, problem-solving, and implementation.

This leader is unwavering (James 1:12) in their goals, character, integrity, and commitment. They demonstrate consistency in their actions to live out their faith.

Steadfastness cultivates godliness, and godliness develops brotherly affection. Jesus' leadership exemplified this. He was always building relationships and showing care and compassion.

Jesus cared enough to call His followers up to their highest potential. He always met people where they were but never left them there. Godly leaders reflect Christ.

Brotherly affection matures into love, and love always fights for the highest good of others and contends until it is a present-tense reality. This requires a balance of encouragement and support with accountability and challenge.

When leaders live out these qualities, their faith becomes effective and fruitful. Instead of fearing that expressing faith in the corporate world will hinder success, leaders should recognize that embodying these characteristics is the key to success and multiplying their impact. A multiplying leader doesn’t only create good employees; they inspire others to follow Christ.

First, become a faith-filled follower of Jesus.

Then, become a doer who leads by example and fulfills Christ’s command to “bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8).

Remember: You can only give what you possess.

Put your faith into action and live it out daily as a leader who multiplies.

You can reach Laura at [email protected].

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