I have to confess that I am not a huge sports fan. Familial duty means that I have to cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs, even though they no longer have my favourite player on their team (it wasn’t Marner’s fault), and I totally jumped on the Blue Jays bandwagon last season and got myself some merch during their run to the World Series. So it is a little odd for me to use a sports figure to talk about leadership, but here we are.
In a recent conversation in our staff room, I was talking about leadership and the comment was made that they were glad that I didn’t focus on making people happy. We had a bit of a laugh about how I don’t make anyone happy, but then the person shared an article with me about John Schneider, manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, and his leadership of the team last season.
John Schneider’s leadership has been described as a blend of emotional intelligence and accountability, fostering a strong clubhouse culture while maintaining competitive discipline.
Coverage surrounding Schneider—including analysis referenced in major publications like the New York Times—points to a key leadership dynamic: players may appreciate a positive environment, but success ultimately depends on structure, expectations, and difficult decisions.
Schneider’s tenure has included both praise and criticism. While he is credited with building a strong team culture, his in-game decisions have sometimes been questioned. This dual reality reflects a deeper truth: leadership is not judged solely by immediate approval but by long-term outcomes and integrity.
In sports, as in life, a leader who only seeks to keep everyone happy will struggle to enforce standards. Conversely, a leader who prioritizes what is right—development, accountability, discipline—creates an environment where genuine success can emerge.
In a world that increasingly equates leadership with popularity, affirmation, and emotional comfort, the Biblical model of leadership stands in sharp contrast. Scripture consistently presents leadership not as the art of keeping people happy, but as the responsibility of doing what is right—before God first, and then for the good of others. This distinction is not merely philosophical; it is deeply practical, often costly, and at times deeply unpopular.
At the heart of Biblical leadership is a simple but demanding principle: leaders are accountable to God, not to public opinion.
In Galatians 1:10, the Apostle Paul writes, “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? … If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” This statement establishes a foundational truth: leadership rooted in faith cannot be driven by popularity.
Similarly, in Acts 5:29, Peter declares, “We must obey God rather than human beings.” This was not said in a comfortable environment; it was spoken under threat of punishment. Biblical leadership, therefore, is inherently courageous—it requires standing firm even when doing so is unpopular.
The implication is clear: if leadership is about doing the right thing, then it will inevitably disappoint people at times. A leader who never upsets anyone is likely avoiding necessary truth.
The Bible repeatedly warns against leaders who prioritize approval over righteousness. King Saul is perhaps the clearest example.
In 1 Samuel 15, Saul disobeys God’s command but attempts to justify his actions by appealing to the desires of the people. When confronted, he admits, “I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.” Saul’s leadership failure was not incompetence—it was insecurity. He feared losing approval more than he feared disobeying God.
The result was devastating: he lost his kingdom.
This story highlights a crucial leadership danger: when leaders prioritize being liked, they compromise their integrity. Over time, this erodes trust, weakens authority, and ultimately harms the very people they are trying to please.
No discussion of Biblical leadership is complete without examining Jesus Christ. Contrary to many modern assumptions, Jesus did not lead by making people comfortable.
He challenged religious leaders, confronted hypocrisy, and spoke hard truths that drove many followers away. In John 6, after delivering a difficult teaching, “many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”
Jesus did not soften the message to retain followers. Instead, He turned to His closest disciples and asked, “You do not want to leave too, do you?”
This moment reveals a profound leadership principle: truth is not negotiable for the sake of retention. Jesus prioritized faithfulness over popularity, even when it cost Him His audience.
Ultimately, His leadership led to the cross—arguably the least “popular” outcome imaginable. Yet it was the right path, and it changed the world.
Biblically, leadership is framed as stewardship. Leaders are entrusted with responsibility, not granted a platform for personal validation.
In Luke 12:48, Jesus teaches, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded.” Leadership is not about being liked; it is about being faithful with what has been entrusted.
This reframing changes everything. A steward does not ask, “Will this make people happy?” but rather, “Is this the right thing to do with what I’ve been given?”
This perspective frees leaders from the exhausting and ultimately impossible task of pleasing everyone. It also anchors their decisions in purpose rather than perception.
Whether in education, sports, business, or ministry, the principles of Biblical leadership remain deeply relevant.
Good leadership is not about making people happy. It is about doing what is right.
The Bible presents a consistent and compelling vision of leadership rooted in truth, courage, and accountability to God. From Moses to Jesus, from the prophets to the apostles, the pattern is clear: faithful leadership often challenges, corrects, and even disappoints—but it ultimately leads to growth, transformation, and lasting impact.
Modern examples, including leaders like John Schneider, reinforce this reality. Whether on a baseball field or in a school, the tension between approval and integrity remains the same.
In the end, leadership is not measured by how many people are pleased in the moment, but by whether the leader has faithfully done what is right.
And according to Scripture, that is the only measure that truly matters.
Dr. Nicole Brouwer is the South Toronto Cohort Leader for Edvance, and the principal at North Toronto Christian School.