We all have that one moment that transforms how we see our work. For me, it came quietly in my first high-level speech years ago. What I thought was a simple writing assignment turned out to be a lesson in leadership and divine purpose.

I remember carefully crafting that speech, making reference to what I learned from Literature class in high school. It was poetic and deeply expressive. I imagined that my elegant language would be the standout feature. Indeed I silently smiled at the imagination of my teacher handing me the accolade of the day.

But when I handed it in, my supervisor read through and simply said, “The numbers are the magic.” I was a little disappointed that he didn’t notice my poetic skill. Over the last fourteen years, I’ve come to deeply understand what he meant. Numbers cut through sentiment and show the heart of the matter. They awaken the minds of listeners, for numbers speak.

That speech was eventually read at a major meeting. As I sat quietly, I listened to speaker after speaker reference the statistics I had later included. Not the metaphors. Not the poetic phrases. But the numbers. They became the building blocks for more ideas, objective arguments, and stronger recommendations.

That moment moved me to a place of influence. It taught me that trade policy credibility is born in numbers. The most important thing is that those numbers create an impact when we remember what they represent.

Later that day, as I walked down the street to find a cab, I realized something that changed me. that those numbers were not just statistics. They had names. Peter. Jackie. Sandra. Sam. Ben. These are people I may never meet. Their lives are affected by every policy proposal. Every negotiation line impacts them. Every position pushed forward makes a difference. That realization anchored something deep in my heart: I must never lose sight of the names behind the numbers. Now, whenever I sit down to draft a brief, I remind myself of one thing. This is more than a document. It’s an opportunity to speak up for someone’s story.

I have learned that it’s not about my eloquence or technicalities. It’s to align my decisions with God’s purpose. Without a name, a number is just a statistic. But with a name, it becomes God’s purpose fulfilled through my work. When you connect what you do to why you do it, your work becomes ministry.

What About You?

• How would your decisions shift if every data point had a face?
• The next time you’re reading a report, planning a project, or reviewing a policy, ask yourself. Who are the names behind these numbers?

Elizabeth K.