Leading is a funny technique. One that calls to me personally, but it certainly isn’t for everyone. On that note, sometimes I wonder if I feel really called to lead or it’s just my pride surfacing and me wanting to be noticed as the “leader.”
Recently, I received the gift of relearning what real leadership means and how it is so much more about being a “servant leader” than I had remembered from leading in college.
At school, it was a combination of me being appointed as the leader, and assigning myself as the leader depending on the situation.
It turns out, this was was not the best practice for being a “good leader.”
There was a post a while ago just titled “Leadership” and being one who jumps for a chance to always gain more on that subject, I dove right into it here. It proved helpful like I thought. So here’s an excerpt for you:
The following are the first three “checkpoints” from the RightNow Leadership Development Kit.
“1. Leaders can strategically change reality but then cannot change people.
2. Nobody is the “Complete Leadership Package.” Therefore work depending on God and on a team of leaders! The best teams:
~are small in number ~spend time together, know each other ~lean on their captain ~share vision, values, passion ~are vulnerable and communicate ~strive to empower people to achieve the vision
HUMILITY is key!!
3. One of the most under-valued and least common skills among leaders is listening.
‘You cannot listen effectively unless you are willing to have your mind changed.’ ‘You should lead with your ears.’-Ken Blanchard
~Bad listening leads to bad leadership!”
The first one hits home for me as I’m always trying change the person I’m leading..think again Theo! Leave that to the power of the Cross.
On #2, I have got to remember the simple fact that it takes a TEAM, and I can be thankful that I have not acquired the “Complete Leadership Package,” and in fact nobody has! Just Jesus.
Lastly, as I realize I am a poor listener, I can rejoice as I can work on it with the Lord’s help.
