“When He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Matthew 9:36)

Exceptional leaders see beyond the present state of people; they discern potential. Jesus modeled this principle perfectly. He looked at fishermen, tax collectors, and even persecutors like Paul, and saw world changers. Acts 9:10–16 records how God revealed Paul’s destiny to Ananias, showing that what others saw as a murderer, God saw as a chosen instrument.

Leadership requires compassion. Matthew 9:36 shows Jesus moved with compassion when He saw the crowds. Compassion allows leaders to look past flaws and failures to see what God can do. Without compassion, leaders become judgmental, dismissive, and unable to call greatness out of people.

Judgmental leadership shuts down creativity and discourages growth. Jesus demonstrated mercy when He told the woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11). By refusing to condemn, He released her into transformation. Exceptional leaders must remember their own journey — how God forgave, cleansed, and restored them — so they can extend mercy to others.