Leading Through Weakness

The Northbound Leader – Edition 2

“But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9

I didn’t speak until I was five years old—and even then, I didn’t say much.

My family practically lived at the ballpark. With four boys, someone always had a practice, a game, or a friend’s game to watch. We lived so close that we even had a path cut through the trees so we could walk back and forth. Everyone up there knew who I was—not because I talked a lot, but because?I didn’t talk at all.

I spent my elementary school years in speech class. I still remember how my speech teacher, Mrs. Hughes, made me feel like I had something important to say.

Fast forward: I went to the University of North Alabama and got my?communication degree?in public relations. For the past?10+ years, I’ve been in ministry, and for the last?7 years, I’ve been in a leadership position at Chick-fil-A.

It’s hard to believe that the same thing I once struggled with—communication—is now such a big part of my life.

Leaning Into Weakness

I’ve had to lean into my struggles with communication. I knew I wouldn’t get better by avoiding them.

Even now, I see people who communicate so effortlessly, and I sometimes find myself wishing I had that natural talent. But honestly? I’m grateful for my journey.

Because?struggle has shaped me.

Paul’s thorn in the flesh wasn’t removed, but God’s grace was enough for him. I’ve learned the same lesson. Strength isn’t the absence of weakness—it’s learning to lead?through?it.

What’s Your Thorn?

Every leader has a weakness. Maybe it’s:

• A fear of speaking up
• A past failure that still haunts you
• An insecurity that makes you feel unqualified
• A skill gap that makes you doubt yourself

The easy thing is to avoid it. The hard thing is to step into it.

I don’t want to be the kind of leader who only leads from my strengths. I want to lead from my struggles—because that’s where grace shows up the most.

And I believe that’s what makes a?Northbound Leader.?Not someone who has it all together, but someone willing to lean into the hard things, trust God with the weaknesses, and keep moving forward anyway.

Join me as I strive to live scripture through leadership, imperfectly but intentionally. Let’s walk this journey of faith and leadership together!

So, what’s your thorn? And how might God be using it to shape you into the leader He’s calling you to be?