As we approach our 200^th episode, we thought it might be fun to re-release our most popular five podcasts. Today’s episode is our fifth most listened to and watched episode: When Leadership Squeezes You.

Lead pastoring is quite possibly the ultimate bench vise. The lingering sense of weight, the messiness of people, and the unrelenting demands of the role squeeze even the best leaders. Here’s the good news: When difficult challenges emerge, all is not lost. In fact, something good is on the horizon. We hope you enjoy this episode today!

Pareto Principle: a prediction that 80% of effects come from 20% of causes.

• 80% of work is completed by 20% of your team.
• 80% of sales come from 20% of your clients.
• 80% of your complaints come from 20% of your customers.

50/20 Principle/Rule: Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Brief review of what led up to Joseph’s words in Genesis 50:20

• Joseph was his father Jacob’s favorite son, much to the annoyance of his older brothers.
• Joseph had dreams which didn’t help his brothers feel any better about him.
• Joseph ended up in Egypt in Potiphar’s house. He excelled there and was put in charge of the entire operation. Life was good until his boss’ wife tried to seduce him.
• While in prison, Joseph excelled and once more was put in charge.
• While he was the VP of Egypt, God showed Joseph a long-term famine was on the way, and he prepared to store enough grain to last throughout the food shortage.

Our paraphrase of Genesis 50:20: God can transform our brokenness and pain into something life-giving and good—if we cooperate with Him.

When leadership squeezes you:

• Tell ourselves that God is with us when our circumstances suggest otherwise.
• Maintain integrity when it would be easy not to.
• Believe our steps are ordered by God.
• Forgive those who’ve hurt you. Bitterness imprisons us in our pain. Forgiveness propels us toward healing.

Joseph’s brokenness was transformed into his legacy . . . the saving of many lives.