Podcast Summary: Jabin Chavez Leadership Podcast

Episode: The "I" Of A Leader | #072
Host: Jabin Chavez
Date: November 12, 2025

Overview:

In this episode, Jabin Chavez explores the concept of the "I" in leadership—encouraging leaders to embrace their unique identity, voice, style, and personality as foundational to effective leadership. Challenging the cliché that “there’s no ‘I’ in team,” Jabin argues that there is an “I” in leadership and in winning, and that the DNA of an organization is shaped significantly by the leader’s authentic self. Leaders are encouraged to define their own values, discover their voice, own their intuitive leadership style, and unapologetically lean into their God-given personality.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recognizing the “I” in Leadership

• Jabin sets the stage by addressing the popular saying, “there’s no ‘I’ in team,” and flips it:

  “Michael Jordan famously said, there is no I in team, but there is an I in win. And I love that phrase. And there’s also an I in leadership.” (02:39)

• He emphasizes that personality-driven leadership is unavoidable and even biblical, referencing Genesis 1 and the principle of reproduction according to one’s kind. (03:34)

2. Knowing Your Core Values

• Self-reflection on values is essential—leaders must clarify what truly matters to them.
  • “What would be your top three core values? Your core values. What are your top three core values? Leader, what do you really care about?” (04:41)
• Jabin shares his own:
  • Presence: The touch and anointing of God.
  • Men’s Ministry: Investing in and providing for men within the church.
  • Next Generation: Building a house for the next generation.

  “In our ministry, I really care about presence... I really care about the men of our church... I really care about the next generation.” (06:31)

• Practical application: Build ministry and organizational efforts around these core values and let lesser preferences serve the main ones.

3. Finding Your Voice

• Voice is not imitation, but inspiration:
  • “Now, it’s been said, be a voice, not an echo. But I would say that a big part of finding your voice is echoing another’s voice.” (10:38)
• Identifying those whose messages and style make your “baby leap”—that is, who bring you alive and inspire you.
  • “What makes your baby leap? Or who makes your baby leap? What preachers do you love? Who do you find inspiration from as you’re finding your voice?” (11:00)
• Finding your voice aligns your leadership with your authentic tribe and audience.
  • “If you’re Paul, don’t try to be Apollos. If you’re Apollos, don’t try to be Paul. If you’re John, don’t try to be Peter.” (12:45)
• Prayer suggestion:
  • “Holy Spirit, help me to find my voice.” (14:14)

4. Embracing Your Intuitive Leadership Style

• There’s an intuition to leadership—a sense of what “feels good” or “seems right.”
  • “Every leader has a style. Every leader has a pace. Every leader has a way that makes sense to you, that feels good to you.” (15:08)
• Cites the apostles in Acts:
  • “It felt good to us and to the Holy Spirit. Other translations said, it seemed good to us and to the Holy Spirit. It’s not thus saith the Lord. It’s just. I feel. It feels good. That doesn’t feel good. That seems right. That doesn’t seem right. Go with that.” (16:37)
• Intuition isn’t infallible, but is critical—be ready to adjust if proven wrong.

5. Celebrating Your Unique Personality

• Authenticity over imitation:
  • “Don’t try to change your personality. Honestly, I need to be more like him. I need to be more like him. Oh, I need to be more before you know it, you don’t even know who you are.” (18:02)
• Be yourself—quiet, loud, introvert, extrovert, passionate, calm, etc.

  “What makes them great is that they are themselves. That’s what you’re being attracted to.” (19:02)

• Don’t lose the “magic” that makes you distinctive, but refine it to serve your context well.
  • “I’m funny. I don’t try to be funny. I’m just funny. When I preach, I’m funny. Let’s go with it... And if you’re not funny, don’t try to be funny.” (20:25)
• Practical advice:
  • Dress the way that fits you—suit and tie, golf vest, etc.—but maybe skip open-toed shoes! (21:28)
• Outcome of authenticity:
  • “Even if you succeed publicly, you won’t like who you’ve become and you won’t like your life privately... I love the ministry and I love my ministry and I love my life. Why? Because they’re congruent, they’re honest.” (22:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On organizational health reflecting leadership health:

  “As you get better, your organization is going to get better. As you get bigger, your organization is going to get bigger. As you get healthier, your organization is going to get healthier.” (01:07)

• On authenticity:

  “You really do have to be you in how you dress and how you think and how you act. And you just have to be true to that.” (19:28)

• On ministry congruence:

  “I love the ministry and I love my ministry and I love my life. Why? Because they’re congruent, they’re honest. That’s where you’re trying to go.” (22:18)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – 02:30: Intro, context, excitement, global church growth
• 02:31 – 04:40: The necessity of the “I” in leadership
• 04:41 – 10:38: Discovering your core values
• 10:39 – 15:07: Finding and developing your voice
• 15:08 – 18:01: Leadership style and intuition
• 18:02 – 21:58: Embracing and refining your unique personality
• 21:59 – End: Integrity between private and public life, closing encouragement

Final Thoughts

Jabin Chavez wraps up with a call to lead authentically, grounded in one’s God-given values, voice, style, and personality, cautioning that public success without private authenticity leads to dissatisfaction. Leaders are encouraged to define their own “I,” build from it, and trust that God will bless their unique impact.

“That’s where you’re trying to go. That’s what you’re trying to do. In Jesus name, amen and Amen.” (22:53)