Why Emotions Matter in Leadership (3 Strategies)

You might think that the best leaders don’t let emotions interfere with business. Or maybe you’ve been told, “Emotional leaders are weak leaders.”

But I would argue the opposite: Emotions are not only relevant—they are catalysts for change and growth.

The fastest way to change someone’s mind is to connect with their heart.

Think about it. People don’t act because of information alone. They act because they feel something.

You can know you’re 20 pounds overweight and still eat another doughnut. You can know your sales are down 4% and still make no changes. You can know your church attendance has declined for three straight years and still keep doing things the same way.

Why?

Because knowledge leads to conclusions, but emotions lead to action.

To truly inspire, connect, and move people to action, you can’t just lead from the head. You have to lead from the heart.

Three Ways to Lead with Emotion

So, as a leader, how do you harness the power of emotions to inspire and move people? Here are three key strategies.

1. Share Stories Purposefully

People forget statistics. They forget spreadsheets and charts. But they remember stories.

Stories stick, but facts fade.

Stanford professor Jennifer Aaker studied this and found that only 5% of people remember a statistic—but 63% remember a story. That’s why, as leaders, we have to become master storytellers.

Instead of just giving information, tell a story that connects emotionally.

For example, I could tell you that there are 1.5 billion people who don’t have a Bible in their language. That’s a shocking number, but it probably doesn’t stir you to action.

But if I show you a video of a man receiving a Bible in his heart language for the first time—tears streaming down his face—that might move you.

When you lead, don’t just tell people what they need to know. Show them why it matters.

2. Choose Words Deliberately

Words don’t just inform. They create emotion.

The words you choose determine the emotions people feel.

For example, I could say, “We value reaching people.” That’s fine. But what if instead I said:

“We will do anything short of sin to reach people who don’t know Christ. To reach people no one is reaching, we’ll have to do things no one is doing.”

Which statement stirs more passion?

Or instead of saying, “We believe in faith,” I could say:

“We are big-thinking, bet-the-farm risk takers. We will never insult God with small thinking or safe living.”

Powerful words ignite movement. Don’t settle for weak, forgettable language.

3. Show Vulnerability Thoughtfully

You may impress people with your strengths, but you connect through your weaknesses.

People relate to leaders who are real. When you acknowledge your struggles, your fears, and even your failures, people lean in.

But vulnerability has to be thoughtful. It’s not about oversharing every personal issue—it’s about being authentic in a way that serves others.

Vulnerability creates trust. Trust creates connection. And connection moves people.

One Final Thought: Lead with Heart and Head

The best leaders don’t ignore logic. But they also don’t ignore emotion.

When you lead with both head and heart, you won’t just impress people. You’ll move them.

And that’s what great leadership is all about.

Walk Through Your Doubts with The Benefit of Doubt

If you’re going through a season of spiritual doubt, I want you to know—you’re not alone. Almost all of us, at some point, have questioned what we believe and wondered if God was real.

In my new book The Benefit of Doubt: How Confronting Your Deepest Questions Can Lead to a Richer Faith, you’ll learn that the strongest faith isn’t a faith that never doubts. It’s a faith that grows through doubts.

If you’re feeling frustrated in your faith, this book will give you the tools to keep pressing forward.