Big Idea
Most leaders look for readiness.
Developers look for potential.
The ISIN Principle
“I See In You…”
Great leaders don’t just manage what is; they call out what could be.
Think about your own life for a second.
How many times have you doubted yourself?
Has there ever been a time in your life when someone else saw something in you before you saw it in yourself?
That moment, when someone names potential in you, can change everything.
It can ignite confidence, growth, and a whole new direction.
Biblical Foundation: Jesus & Peter
In John 1, the first time Jesus meets Simon, He says:
“You are Simon, son of John. You will be called Cephas (which translates to Peter).”
Here’s what’s powerful about that moment
Simon wasn’t Peter yet.
He was impulsive, emotional, and inconsistent.
Definitely not “the Rock”.
But when a rabbi gave someone a new name, it wasn’t casual; it was prophetic.
Jesus was saying
“I see who you can become.”
And then He didn’t stop there
He built relationship
He provided teaching
He created challenge
He walked him through development
Over time, Simon became Peter.
Leadership Shift: From Placing to Developing
There’s a big difference between placing leaders and developing leaders.
Placing leaders says, “They seem ready, let’s give them a role.”
Developing leaders says, “I see potential, let’s grow them into it.”
Most leaders scan the room asking, “Who is ready right now?”
Developers ask, “Who could this person become in a year if I invest in them?”
That shift changes everything.
The Problem: Winging It
A lot of leaders believe in development, but in practice, they’re winging it.
They promote someone because they’re faithful. They throw them into the deep end. .They hope they figure it out.
Sometimes it works. But often confidence drops, frustration rises, and burnout follows.
Winging it fills roles. It rarely multiplies leaders.
The Solution: Intentional Development
Multiplying leaders requires a clear pathway, defined expectations, intentional growth steps, and a reproducible process.
When leaders know the path, they stop guessing.
And when they stop guessing, they start multiplying.
Practical Application: Practice ISIN In Your Department!
Here’s your challenge
Find someone this week and say
“I see in you…”
Be specific. Call it out.
“I see leadership in you.”
“I see compassion in you.”
“I see the ability to influence people.”
“I see potential you haven’t stepped into yet.”
Then don’t just say it. Walk with them toward it. Invite them to come alongside you, where you can provide the teaching, modeling, delegating, and coaching they need to become their own multiplying leaders! Our Leadership Pipeline is designed to help you do these very things, with excellence!
Discussion Questions
- Name two people in your department right now that you see potential in but haven’t said it out loud yet? What’s stopping you from calling it out?
- Are you currently placing leaders based on readiness or developing them based on potential? What’s one step you can take to shift toward development?
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