Lead with Power: How the Fruits of the Spirit Elevate You at Work

Living out your faith in every email, meeting, and leadership moment

Work isn’t always easy. There are deadlines, difficult people, last-minute pivots, and moments where you feel like you’re pouring from an empty cup. But what if your faith wasn’t just something you held onto outside of work—but something that shaped how you showed up inside of it?

Galatians 5:22–23 tells us about the Fruits of the Spirit—nine character traits that grow in us as we walk with God. They aren’t just church words. They’re workplace superpowers. When cultivated, they don’t just make us better people—they make us more impactful leaders, teammates, and professionals.

Here’s what that looks like at work:

🍇 1. Love – Lead with care, not just strategy

True leadership starts with compassion. Love at work looks like checking in on a colleague who’s struggling, celebrating someone’s quiet win, or advocating for those who feel unseen. It's seeing people as more than roles—they’re souls.

🍊 2. Joy – Bring the light, even when things feel heavy

Joy isn’t forced happiness—it’s anchored contentment. In a stressful season, joy allows you to lead with energy, start meetings with encouragement, or remind your team why the work matters.

🍓 3. Peace – Be the calm in the chaos

Peace shows up when you respond to tension with thoughtfulness. When conflict arises, you don’t escalate—you de-escalate. You bring solutions, not more stress. Your presence becomes a safe space.

🍒 4. Patience – Trust the process, not just the pace

Whether onboarding a new team member or waiting for a big opportunity, patience keeps you from micromanaging or jumping ship. You give others space to grow—and you give yourself grace when timelines shift.

🍍 5. Kindness – Choose empathy over ego

Kindness is powerful in leadership. It’s holding the door open in busy moments, uplifting a teammate in front of others, or offering grace when someone makes a mistake. It’s not weakness—it’s strength with softness.

🍎 6. Goodness – Do what’s right, even when it’s hard

You spot a mistake no one else sees. You could ignore it—but instead, you address it with integrity. Goodness is about ethics, truth, and showing up aligned with your values.

🍉 7. Faithfulness – Be dependable when it matters most

Your word is solid. Your follow-through is consistent. When others waiver, you stay steady. Faithfulness means people know they can trust you—even when the pressure is on.

🍌 8. Gentleness – Use strength with grace

Giving feedback? Deliver it with care. Navigating tension? Speak truthfully but with love. Gentleness isn’t timidity—it’s controlled strength that refuses to harm in the name of power.

🍋 9. Self-Control – Master your emotions, don’t let them master you

Someone presses your buttons, and instead of snapping, you pause. You respond—not react. Self-control is your ability to lead your emotions, rather than letting your emotions lead you.

🌿 Final Thoughts:

These fruits aren't only character traits—they’re leadership tools. They’re evidence of a life that’s anchored, disciplined, and Spirit-led. And in today’s workplace, where burnout, stress, and performative leadership are the norm, they’re exactly what sets you apart.

You are not just clocking in—you are called in.

So don’t just meet your deadlines—elevate your environment.

This week, don’t just manage your tasks. Cultivate your fruit. Let them work through you, so everything you touch gets better because you showed up. The world needs more leaders like you to build a better workplace from the inside out.

Your Partner in Intentional Impact

Adrienne Reynolds, PCC, MBA