Leadership in this crazy world can be a challenge,
Whether you are in a formal leadership role or you are simply someone who influences others by mentoring,
Listening,
Or showing up authentically.
I hope these reflections help you cultivate qualities of spiritually intelligent leadership using the fruits of the spirit.
This meditation is an invitation to allow the spirit to flow through your leadership.
The fruits we reflect on today,
Love,
Joy,
Peace,
Forbearance,
Kindness,
Goodness,
Faithfulness,
Gentleness,
And self-control,
Stand in beautiful contrast to the behaviors we may encounter in broader society,
Politics,
And organizations.
Some of us may be fortunate to work in places where these spiritual fruits thrive.
Others may feel isolated or discouraged in toxic,
Dysfunctional environments.
Wherever you find yourself,
I encourage you to remember,
Influence is not only reserved for titles or positions.
If you are infused with spirit,
Even small actions can create wonderful ripple effects.
I will read this scripture and offer reflections on each of the nine fruits,
Followed by a pause for you to meditate and allow the wisdom to integrate into your leadership.
You may wish to close your eyes and breathe deeply and simply listen and reflect,
Or you may wish to sit quietly with your pen and journal and jot down ideas or nudges you receive from the spirit as you listen.
But the fruit of the spirit is love,
Joy,
Peace,
Forbearance,
Kindness,
Goodness,
Faithfulness,
Gentleness,
And self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5 verse 22 and 23 Love.
But the fruit of the spirit is love.
How am I showing love at work?
Love is paying attention.
My love is noticing how others are showing up and thanking and acknowledging them.
I give full credit where credit is due.
I love by supporting,
Not condemning,
People who make mistakes or struggle.
Correcting and redirecting people when needed is loving,
And I deliver that through supportive critique,
Not callous criticism.
My love offers every opportunity for people to learn and grow.
Love sees beyond what's visible and recognizes the quiet battles behind the faces of my team members.
Take a few moments to reflect.
How am I showing the spirit of love?
Joy.
But the fruit of the spirit is joy.
How am I bringing joy to work?
I know that fulfilling a sense of purpose fuels joy.
I help each person bring their values,
Their purpose,
And their skills to the vision we have at work.
I also create a place of safety where people can bring their soul to the workplace.
They can share their enthusiasm,
Their accomplishments,
Their quirks,
Their creativity,
And their personal joys even from other parts of their life.
They are safe to show up as their whole selves.
This will never be quashed.
As a spiritually intelligent leader,
I am aware that some people may carry pain from other parts of their life.
I commit that our workplace will never add to people's pain.
We celebrate even small wins and simple joys.
Take a few minutes to reflect.
How am I showing the spirit of joy?
Peace.
But the fruit of the spirit is peace.
How am I bringing peace to people?
I am a calm and healing presence.
Tumult and chaos and urgency is sometimes a necessary part of work.
I will lead so members are at peace with each other and trust our processes so they can be comfortable even in the chaos.
I support resilience after difficult challenges.
I share wisdom and compassion while maintaining inner and outer peace no matter our situation.
I model peace not by avoiding challenges,
But by embracing challenges with clarity,
Compassion,
And inner stability.
This peace is rooted in wisdom and deep self-awareness and connection to something bigger.
Take a few moments to reflect.
How am I showing the spirit of peace?
Forbearance.
But the fruit of the spirit is forbearance.
Am I showing up with spiritual endurance?
I model patience in work and relationships.
We are persistent and tenacious because we are called to a higher purpose.
Discouragement takes a back seat to possibility.
I support my team in their endurance,
But also am transparent with my team when I need support.
I invite collaboration over silent suffering.
Take a few moments to reflect.
How am I showing the spirit of forbearance?
Kindness.
But the fruit of the spirit is kindness.
How am I showing kindness toward others and myself?
My words and actions are gracious and supportive towards others and myself.
I smile and make eye contact with others.
I am never too busy to show interest in individual work or personal passions.
I choose to remember the small things that matter to others.
The big things too.
We slow down.
We listen deeply.
Kindness is not a weakness.
It is a spark that can dissolve hostility and build bridges.
Take a few moments to reflect.
How am I showing the spirit of kindness?
Goodness.
But the fruit of the spirit is goodness.
What is goodness and how am I living it?
I set an example with quality work,
Effective communication,
Ethics and integrity.
People will see and live up to high standards by my example.
Not because of unreasonable demands or drive,
But because of what is right and true.
I am never compromised.
I see others as sacred beings,
Created with purpose.
My commitment to truth is unwavering.
It includes hard truths,
Not just pleasing ones.
I challenge myself and others to pursue what is right even when it is unpopular.
Take a few moments to reflect.
How am I showing the spirit of goodness?
Faithfulness.
But the fruit of the spirit is faithfulness.
I believe we are on the right path and I listen continually for the voice of the one divine.
Setbacks do not shake my faith,
But my faith helps me through setbacks.
I help my team keep their eyes up and focused on the best we are called to do.
I know there is a purpose in everything,
Even when I cannot see it.
Faithfulness is trusting the process,
Aware of a larger meaning unfolding.
Take a few moments to reflect.
How am I showing the spirit of faithfulness,
Even through challenges?
Gentleness.
But the fruit of the spirit is gentleness.
True power does not come from dominance,
Violence,
Bullying,
Might,
Or control.
But through humility and wise whispers.
I foster environments where openness replaces fear and creativity flows from freedom.
Disagreements are held in compassionate tension,
Not damaging division.
Gentleness is a quiet strength.
I am leading with humility and curiosity so others can thrive and not retreat.
Take a few moments to reflect.
How am I showing the spirit of gentleness?
Self-control.
But the fruit of the spirit is self-control.
I lead not by chasing every impulse,
But with wisdom and discernment.
I listen deeply for direction from the divine and also to the inspiration and wisdom that can come from team members and our collective conversations.
I think before I speak.
Self-control also means I care for my mind,
Body,
And spirit,
Choosing what nourishes over what numbs.
I set a model of self-control in my habits and my words.
This maturity and mastery in our team will be noticed and respected.
This discipline is radical compared to the excesses and entitlements society says is ours to take.
When we have privilege and access because of our roles in our corporations or organizations,
We use it wisely and modestly with gratitude.
Take a few moments to reflect.
How am I showing the spirit of self-control?
Self-control.
But the fruit of the spirit is love,
Joy,
Peace,
Forbearance,
Kindness,
Goodness,
Faithfulness,
Gentleness,
And self-control.
Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5,
22,
And 23.
Friends,
Our leadership is more than tactics and strategy and management.
If we use spiritual intelligence,
We are compelled to be continually forming and growing ourselves and those we lead.
That may also mean influence in leading upwards to those we report to at work.
So whether you hold a title or simply care deeply for those around you,
May these fruits guide you.
Regardless of your faith background,
I pray this meditation helps you stay connected to what matters most and reminds you that spirit-led leadership begins not with owning power but inspiring possibility.
Peace,
Shalom,
Namaste.
