John Stanko

"At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes?' You see the people crowding against you,' his disciples answered, 'and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it" - Mark 5:30-32.

In this passage, the crowd pressed Jesus from every side, and He was pressed by His schedule to get where He was going. His disciples were acting like ushers, helping him get through the crowd and also focusing on their next event. Suddenly, someone with a need touched Jesus and He immediately knew it. He felt the woman's need and her faith touch triggered His awareness. The disciples were incredulous that He could be that busy and pressed, and still know when one needy person touched Him - but He did. Leaders are busy people but they should work to stay in tune with the needs and feelings of those who come into their world and do what they can to alleviate their pain and encourage their progress.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Your Step today is to work on your empathy and sensitivity to other people and their needs while still leading your organization. If you are in a faith-based group, start every meeting with prayer for any needs in the room. If not faith-based, begin one-on-one or group meetings by asking for personal updates. When someone expresses a need, do what you can to follow up to check on their progress or give them immediate relief, help, or sympathy.