Big Fish Thinking: Expanding Your Leadership and Influence

The Responsibilities of a Big Fish in a Small Pond

In business, leadership often comes with seasons. Sometimes you’re the newcomer, swimming among giants, learning and stretching to keep up. Other times, you may find yourself as the “big fish in a small pond”—the one others look to for direction, wisdom, and example. This role can feel flattering, even comfortable, but it carries a weighty responsibility. Being the biggest fish doesn’t mean you’ve arrived—it means you’ve been entrusted with influence, and what you do with that influence matters deeply.

Jesus put it this way: “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48, NIV). Leadership is stewardship. If God has placed you in a position where your experience, success, or resources set you apart, He’s also placed a responsibility on your shoulders.

Setting the Standard

When you are the largest presence in the pond, others watch how you operate. Your integrity, your work ethic, and your faith set the tone for the whole environment. If you cut corners, those around you may feel permission to do the same. If you lead with excellence and humility, your pond becomes a place where others are inspired to grow.

The apostle Paul reminded Timothy, a young leader, “Set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12). Being the big fish means being intentional about the standard you set. Excellence is no longer optional—it’s expected.

Lifting Others Up

Another responsibility of being the big fish is to invest in others. Too many leaders hoard their knowledge, afraid that if they give too much away, someone younger or hungrier might surpass them. But Kingdom leadership looks different. Jesus taught, “The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11).

As a big fish, your role is to nurture the growth of the smaller ones. Mentor them. Share what you’ve learned. Celebrate their wins, not just your own. When you create an environment where others can thrive, you’re not diminishing your influence—you’re multiplying it. A pond full of healthy, growing fish is better than one dominated by a single, oversized presence.

Guarding Against Complacency

One of the greatest dangers of being a big fish in a small pond is the temptation to stop growing. When you’re at the top locally, it’s easy to assume you’ve “made it.” But the truth is, ponds vary in size. There’s always a bigger body of water, always someone further ahead in their journey. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Staying sharp requires seeking out relationships and challenges beyond your pond. It means surrounding yourself with people who will stretch you, hold you accountable, and remind you that growth is a lifelong pursuit.

Expanding the Pond

Finally, part of your responsibility may be to enlarge the pond itself. Big fish are uniquely positioned to bring new opportunities, to open doors, and to expand the vision for what’s possible. Whether that’s creating jobs, starting new ventures, or fostering partnerships, your leadership can transform a stagnant pond into a thriving ecosystem.

When Joseph rose to influence in Egypt, his wisdom didn’t just benefit Pharaoh; it preserved nations during famine (Genesis 41). Leadership at the top of a small pond isn’t meant to benefit you alone—it’s meant to bless many.

Closing Thoughts

Being a big fish in a small pond isn’t about enjoying status—it’s about carrying responsibility. You set the tone, invest in others, guard against complacency, and expand the impact of your pond. In God’s Kingdom, influence is never just for self-promotion. It’s for service, stewardship, and the advancement of others.

So if you find yourself the big fish, don’t shrink back—but don’t settle either. Embrace the responsibility with humility, seek growth with intentionality, and let your influence point others upward.