Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: City Light Church Las Vegas | Jabin Chavez
Episode: Leaders Get Discouraged Too (Here’s What To Do)
Host: Jabin Chavez
Date: February 18, 2026

In this episode, Pastor Jabin Chavez addresses a universal but often unspoken reality: even leaders get discouraged. He breaks down practical, faith-informed strategies for staying encouraged and, by extension, leading healthier teams and organizations. With an uplifting and conversational style, Jabin offers both biblical insights and actionable advice, focusing on the importance of personal well-being for leadership effectiveness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Importance of Encouragement in Leadership

• Main point: An encouraged leader is the foundation for a healthy organization.
• Jabin emphasizes, "When we are encouraging someone, we're giving them hope of a better tomorrow. We're giving them confidence to be able to do everything that they're called to do." (01:20)
• He references 1 Samuel 30, underscoring that even King David needed to encourage himself in the Lord during challenging times.

2. Step #1: Admit Discouragement to a Trusted Voice

• Vulnerability is essential: Jabin advises leaders to process their discouragement with someone they trust, not necessarily with everyone or on social media.
• Quote: "Processing your life will save your life." (03:05)
• Leaders should "process up, not down" – meaning, seek counsel and support from those they look up to.

3. Step #2: Lean Into Your Team

• Don’t isolate: Jabin warns, "An isolated leader will be a discouraged leader. A surrounded leader will eventually become an encouraged leader." (08:00)
• Leaders, including organizational heads or senior pastors, should make efforts to connect with their teams, ask questions, celebrate wins, and be involved relationally.
• Practical tips include having breakfast or coffee with team members and engaging in active conversations to stay connected and eliminate assumptions.

4. Step #3: Practice Gratitude

• Power of thankfulness: Repeatedly, Jabin encourages leaders to "celebrate, celebrate, celebrate." (12:15)
• He references Luke 17, where only one of ten healed lepers returns to thank Jesus—and that act of gratitude brings about a greater wholeness.
• Quote: "You cannot be encouraged and ungrateful. You can't be encouraged and ungrateful. In order to be encouraged, you must be grateful." (14:10)
• Suggests practical actions such as writing thank you notes and verbalizing appreciation, noting it benefits both the recipient and the leader.

5. Step #4: Break the Rut

• Value of change: Jabin stresses the importance of changing routines, environments, or paces, even in small ways.
• "Just break the rut. Change of pace. Change of scenery. Change." (16:10)
• Examples include working from a coffee shop, switching offices, taking different seats in church, or even simple acts like going grocery shopping at a different place—anything to introduce newness and disrupt discouragement.
• He also touches on ensuring rest and time off (vacation, Sabbath) are truly refreshing and serve the leader's well-being.

6. Encouragement Is Both Spiritual and Practical

• Jabin sums up by noting that encouragement is not purely spiritual or natural, but a mix of both: "There’s some natural. There's some spiritual elements to encouragement, but there's also some natural elements to encouragement." (19:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "An encouraged leader is going to be a healthy leader, and a healthy leader is going to lead healthy organizations." – Jabin Chavez (00:02)
• "Processing your life will save your life." – Jabin Chavez (03:05)
• "An isolated leader will be a discouraged leader. A surrounded leader will eventually become an encouraged leader." – Jabin Chavez (08:00)
• "You cannot be encouraged and ungrateful." – Jabin Chavez (14:10)
• "Break the rut. Change of pace. Change of scenery. Change." – Jabin Chavez (16:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–02:50 – Introduction, importance of encouragement for leaders
• 02:50–08:00 – Step #1: Admit discouragement; the role of trusted voices
• 08:00–12:15 – Step #2: Engage with your team and the dangers of isolation
• 12:15–16:10 – Step #3: The practice of gratitude and its biblical foundation
• 16:10–19:45 – Step #4: Breaking routines and introducing healthy changes
• 19:45–21:00 – Recap and encouragement to apply these principles

Episode Takeaways

• Admit when you’re struggling: Don’t hide discouragement; share it with the right people.
• Stay connected: Leaning into your team not only lifts you but strengthens your organization.
• Gratitude is vital: Celebrate the good regularly and express thanks.
• Break familiar patterns: Small changes can reignite energy and hope.
• Encouragement creates a ripple effect: As you fill your own well, you’re better equipped to encourage others.

For anyone in a leadership role, this episode is a practical guide as much as it is encouragement for the soul—Jabin Chavez's candid, faith-driven advice is both relatable and actionable.