Putting People Over Power

“Leadership from good-hearted individuals brings life to the land and the communities they serve. They bring healing, life, and goodness as they lead with integrity. Good leaders realize that their role has been given to them to steward from God in order to bless others and to make our world more like He intended it: on earth as it is in heaven. As Proverbs 29:2 says, 'When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn.'"

John Leong

CEO and Co-Founder, Pono Pacific

CEO and Co-Founder, Kupu

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Written by: Kenton Chan

Reflecting on a quote contributed by John Leong for Lead Forward's Words To Lead By

The afternoon sun blazed as the gates of Victor Verster Prison creaked open. A thin man in a worn brown coat stepped into the light—Nelson Mandela, free after twenty-seven years behind bars. The crowd surged forward, waving flags and shouting his name, tears mingling with dust. Many expected rage. How could a man caged for nearly three decades not emerge burning with vengeance?

Instead, Mandela raised his hand—not in defiance, but in peace. “If I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind,” he later wrote, “I’d still be in prison.” Upon his release, he forged a path toward unity in a nation divided by centuries of injustice. Under his leadership, South Africa held its first multiracial elections, adopted a new constitution, and became a symbol of reconciliation to the world.

Mandela’s story reveals a truth: leadership is not a spotlight—it is a sacred trust. Every choice, every tone, every act shapes the people who follow. Proverbs 29:2 captures this power: “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.” Leadership can lift others into hope or pull them into despair. Integrity creates safety. Humility inspires courage. Love heals.

Every youth leader carries, in their own sphere, the same influence Mandela held on a national scale—the power to shape culture and transform lives. Leadership multiplies. One act of courage or compassion can shift the spirit of an entire group.

Think of a student council president who chooses openness over control, inviting feedback instead of ruling alone. That builds trust. A team captain who celebrates quiet contributors, not just the stars, teaches everyone their worth. A club leader who turns conflict into collaboration strengthens unity. These moments rarely make headlines, but they change how people show up, treat each other, and believe in themselves.

True leadership is stewardship; God entrusts leaders to bring life, not pride. When leaders’ actions are rooted in prayer, humility, and Scripture, they reflect His heart—speaking truth when it’s costly, forgiving when it’s hard, and loving when it’s inconvenient. That is leadership that mirrors heaven, where justice and mercy walk together.

The people of South Africa rejoiced not simply because Mandela was a skilled leader, but because he was a man of character. In his first address as president, he declared, “Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all.” He invited his former jailers to his inauguration, proving that forgiveness—not pride—would define his rule. His life showed that moral courage changes nations.

And so can yours.