What Holy Week Teaches Us About Leadership

Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, a day meant for celebration, yet it carries a tension that most of us miss. The streets of Jerusalem were alive with cheers, palm branches waving, people calling out “Hosanna,” and yet underneath it all, the most important work was just beginning. Leaders and organizations can learn a lot from this week if we pay attention, not just to the fanfare, but to the focus, presence, and sacrifice that undergird it.

Focus and IntentionWhen Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey, it was not a performance for the crowd. The people were praising what they thought was a king in the line of David, a political savior who would deliver them from oppression. They were celebrating an earthly triumph. Jesus, however, was focused on something much bigger, a kingdom not of this world. Every leader faces this same tension. The applause, the accolades, the short-term wins are tempting, but they are not the ultimate goal. True leadership starts with clarity of purpose. Jesus knew his “why”: to change the world, to call people from darkness into light, to love in a way that transformed hearts and systems alike.

Presence in the Uncomfortable JourneyHoly Week is a study in tension. Jesus left the top of one mountain in triumph, descended through the Kidron Valley, and climbed another mountain where the weight of death, judgment, and resurrection awaited him. The Kidron Valley, just east of Jerusalem, was no gentle slope. Tombs lined its sides, a stark reminder of life and death. The Gospel of Matthew shows Jesus walking this path deliberately, fully aware of what awaited him, yet fully present in each step. Leadership often requires the same. You cannot rush through the valley. You have to stay steady, notice the terrain, and make decisions that honor the people and the mission around you.

Creating Space for OthersLeadership is not about dominating or controlling. It is about creating space for others to flourish. Jesus overturned the tables in the temple, not out of anger, but to realign the focus of the mission. He asked his followers to put away their swords, showing that change does not require violence. Sometimes, leaders need to lay to rest processes, structures, or habits that no longer serve the greater purpose. That is uncomfortable work, but it is necessary for the organization to be reborn stronger and more aligned with its mission.

Sacrifice Over ComfortWe talk a lot about winning in leadership. Comfort, prestige, and the appearance of success are seductive. Holy Week reminds us that growth and influence come from sacrifice. Even when Jesus could have called down legions of angels to destroy his enemies, he did not. He stayed the course to fulfill prophecy, to serve the greater purpose, and to honor the people he came to save. There is comfort in winning, but real growth comes from walking through the pain, the uncertainty, and the valleys that test character.

Love as the MandateAt the center of all of this is a simple instruction, love one another. Every action Jesus took during Holy Week, each teaching, each step through Jerusalem, each conversation in the Garden of Gethsemane, was an exercise in love with human consequence. Leaders too often forget that their decisions touch real people. Presence, patience, and care are not optional; they are essential.

Visualizing the EndgameGreat leaders are able to see the final vision before it manifests. Jesus visualized resurrection even in the face of betrayal and suffering. He was steadfast, focused, and unwavering. The path was difficult, but the outcome mattered more than the discomfort along the way. Leadership is the same. You have to see the end game, hold the vision steady, and commit to it, even when the journey is uncomfortable.

The Kidron Valley LessonThe Kidron Valley itself is rich with symbolism. Running between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives, it was part of Jesus’ journey toward the Garden of Gethsemane. Tombs lined the valley, reminding leaders that decisions carry weight and consequences. It is a literal and figurative space of reflection, judgment, and preparation. Walking through it requires awareness, steadiness, and focus, the very qualities a leader needs to navigate high-stakes moments.

Sunday is ComingPalm Sunday marks the beginning of this journey. It is a reminder that celebration and challenge coexist. True leadership is not about avoiding discomfort or chasing applause. It is about focus, presence, and sacrifice. It is about love, vision, and creating space for others. Like Holy Week itself, it reminds us that the valleys we face are temporary, and the mountains we climb with intention lead to transformation.

Leaders who take this lesson to heart can approach their teams, their organizations, and their communities with a steadiness that inspires, guides, and ultimately transforms. The tension of Holy Week, the joy, the struggle, and the waiting, is a mirror for the leadership journey we are all called to walk.