In every sphere of life, family, church, workplace, or community, leadership is not just a position; it is a calling. And at the heart of effective leadership is one powerful principle: collaboration. 

When people work together with love, unity, and purpose, incredible things happen.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 reminds us that two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor. If one falls, the other can help them up. That is the essence of collaboration.

Wherever you find yourself, in your team, organization, or community, you are called to influence people positively.

But here is an important truth: the first principle of being a good team leader is to be a good team member. 

Great leaders understand collaboration because they know what it means to serve, support, and contribute before they lead.

When you invest in improving yourself, you are not just growing personally; you are improving the quality of your team. Personal development strengthens collaboration because strong leaders build strong environments.

The leadership model taught in John 10:11, shows that true leadership is built on love. This is what we can call the Jesus system, a leadership approach rooted in sacrifice, care, and genuine concern for people.

Leaders who lead with love create teams that thrive. They inspire trust, spread positive values, and build environments where people feel free to grow and make an impact. On the other hand, leaders who lack love slow down progress because people can sense when a leader does not truly care.

The truth is simple: the best way to get the best out of people is to love them.

Without love, leadership eventually fails. But when love leads, collaboration becomes natural and powerful.

God often uses family as the first training ground for leadership. The family teaches us how to handle differences, resolve conflicts, and grow in understanding. In many ways, the family is the most powerful leadership institution in the world.

When people learn love, patience, and unity at home, they carry those values into their teams and organizations. That is where collaboration truly begins.

To consistently lead with love, we need the help of the Holy Spirit. Love is not just an emotion; it is a decision and a strength God gives us to build others.

When choosing leaders, skill alone is not enough. The real question is: Do they have the capacity to love people?

Leaders who love, build strong teams, encourage collaboration, create environments where people thrive and inspire lasting impact

In this season of collaboration, the challenge is simple: Lead with love, grow together, and lift others as you rise.

An excerpt from the sermon by Pastor Sam Adeyemi, on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Watch this sermon here