Christian Leadership: Building a Biblical Business Through Visibility

I can stand up in front of a group of women and lead a meeting all day long, and it doesn't bother me one bit. Put a phone in front of my face and ask me to talk to the camera, and I struggle. That's a problem, because social media is one of the biggest ways women are finding The Leaders' Table right now.

Part of it is that I can't make content fast enough to feel like it's worth my time. Part of it is the fear of being seen. And part of it is that I don't want to become prideful. A meeting is about the women in front of me. Talking to a camera, in this influencer culture, feels self-serving.

A leader can't lead people she doesn't see

Picture a principal who never leaves her office, and then one who's out in the car rider line, the hallways and the classrooms. We all know which one we'd want our kids to have. A leader can't lead people she doesn't see, and people can't follow a leader they can't see. That's true whether you lead a team or you're a solopreneur leading yourself and your customers. You can't have real conversations with the people you serve from behind a logo.

Humble and visible

In Matthew 11:29, Jesus calls himself gentle and humble in heart, and he was the most visible leader who ever lived. Moses, whom Numbers 12 calls the most humble man on earth, asked God, "Who am I?" and begged him to send someone else. God sent Aaron alongside him, but Moses still had to go. God didn't accept his invisibility as humility.

What keeps me grounded is Ezekiel 34, where God holds the shepherds accountable for his flock. I'm the face of The Leaders' Table because God called me to build it, and what I'll answer for is whether I kept pointing people back to Jesus. If a woman sees my face in a story, shows up to a meeting and gets pointed back to him, that isn't self-serving at all. So I'm committing to show my face more.

This week, get out of your proverbial office and take one visible step.

Listen to the full podcast episode on this topic here:

Scripture referenced

• John 10:14 and Mark 3:14: Jesus knows his sheep and appoints the twelve

• John 2:13–17 and John 8:1–11: firm in the temple, gentle with the woman caught in adultery

• Luke 9:51 and Mark 1:35–38: Jesus stays on track

• Matthew 11:29: gentle and humble in heart

• Numbers 12:3 and Exodus 3–4: Moses, humble and reluctant

• Ezekiel 34: God holds shepherds accountable

• Proverbs 27:17: iron sharpens iron

FAQs

Is it prideful to show your face on social media as a Christian business owner?

It depends on where it points people. If showing your face helps someone find what you offer and points them back to Jesus, it's serving them.

What is visible leadership?

It means being present with the people you lead and serve, so you see what's really happening and they know who they're following.

How do I know if I'm delegating or hiding?

Look at your reason. Handing something off so someone can grow is coaching. Handing it off because you'd rather avoid a conversation is hiding in your office.