Leadership is at the discrepancy of the led. I think that's a hard concept for many of us that aren't as good at leading as we'd like to be. Successful leadership can be measured by the degree of followship. (It's been said that a leader who isn't being followed is just taking a walk.)
Followship can be encouraged by the leader in many ways...not all of them good.
- Followship can be obtained by fear: Do what I say or you're fired. Do what I say or I'll hurt or kill you. Both of these can provide followers, but probably not longevity nor effectiveness.
- Followship can be obtained by guilt: Follow me because you owe me...I've done ____ for you. Ahhh...used by moms, world-wide. ;-)
- Followship can be obtained by a simple lack of options: Follow me because I'm the best you can do.
If that's the case, a further measure of leadership becomes the degree to which vision is cast AND the progress made toward that envisioned destination.
So for me the question becomes, "Have I shown you a place you want to go, and am I helping you get there."
4 comments:
Is being a good leader really so important? Or is just being a good witness what we are called to do? If being a leader means that I could feel inclined, to feel the need to, influence someone in some way; or if being a leader means that somehow I am going to put myself above someone, then I don't want it. I don't see how that is being Christ to them.
Maybe all it is, to be a leader, is to simply have a better story. Maybe, in your walk in life, someone will notice that you are different, that you have something that they want.
The way that I see it, being an intentional leader puts you in a position to step on alot of toes. It puts you in the fragile position of having the ability to unintentionally destroy someone, on any number of levels.
Being a natural leader, where people just feel an attraction to you, and follow you just because they like your story, or something else, that they can't quite put their finger on.
My goal in life, is to try and figure out just what it is that I am supposed to be doing with myself. I, am out for a walk. And I honestly have never looked back, so could not tell you if I am being followed. But I feel that my family may be along, and I know that people come and go. And I may join others for awhile. But I never lead, and, more importantly, I am never led.
I would suggest that the New Testament is full of the stories of leaders...from Jesus Christ to his apostles...and even to third and fourth generations of leaders (Timothy's elders). Leadership is influence, whether that is sought out or simply naturally occurring.
Being a leader does put you in a position to do harm, but it also puts you in a position to do more good. A single person can do only so much good. A larger group can accomplish more, but to multiply impact requires good leadership.
Leadership is something that some are given as a gift to build up the body and serve the kingdom, and like all gifts, if it is given it is meant to be used...faithfully and humbly. Like any other gift, not all are called to be leaders, nor should they be, but those that are should use their gift faithfully. And likewise, the gift of leading is no more important than any other gift, but it is indispensable if we want to be effective as the body of Christ.
I think that your goal is right on target. How has God gifted you, and thus what does he expect?
Peace!
When I look at the characteristics from which I’m led I think of the following
* Commitment
* Integrity
* Leads by example
* Over comes adversity
* Stays the course “not easily wavered by pressure or stress”
With the Church in mind I would like to see the focus be more on the
Development of relationships and empowering others than just the accomplishment
Of goals and objectives.
Jeff
Your comment reminds me of a central question from the movie, Saving Private Ryan: "We're taught it's the mission, not the man, but what happens when the mission IS the man?"
Our goals and accomplishments should never be bigger buildings or better use of technology, but more people connected to life in Jesus and guided (enabled) to become fully devoted followers of Jesus. Building and technology are just tools to use for that purpose.
With that in mind, the accomplishment of goals and missions is impossible WITHOUT developing relationships and empowering people.
Nice insight...good comment, Jeff.
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