Leading with Influence
Every day, I’m more aware of the influence people have on others. Leaders are people who have influence and use it for a purpose. Leaders are always leading . . . in one direction or the other. In truth, leadership is really more about the who than the what. We in the church have sometimes gotten it backward, tapping the most talented or skilled or ambitious over the most committed or humble or loving. We’ve created roles where leaders can teach, administer, make decisions, and serve, but never truly connect with the people they lead . . . never really expose their hearts, their struggles, or their dark corners. We play zone, doing our church jobs and serving the Lord but never going man-to-man with people who need to be loved and led into a growing relationship with Jesus. As I think about the leaders who’ve influenced me, I see five key attributes . . .
Curiosity – Leaders have an insatiable hunger to learn and be more . . . to have more to share, more to give. Disciples are learners and followers of Jesus . . . not just learning about Jesus but living out what they’ve learned daily.
Humility – Jim Collins says that Level 5 Leaders exhibit consistent, genuine humility. The greatest leader of all time, Jesus, used only two words to describe Himself: “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
Intentionality – The leaders I’ve followed knew where they were going, and they consistently focused themselves in that direction. They continually and intentionally aligned their calendars, their relationships, and their energies.
Purposeful – Strong leaders know why they’re doing what they’re doing. They’ve asked and settled the question, “Is it worth it?” They consistently return to their purpose when they’re distracted or when they drift. For example, purposeful mentors read through the lens of “Who can this help?” “How can this help my guys?”
Secure – Leaders I admire are secure in their identities. They’re not about themselves, their egos, or proving anything to anyone. They’re comfortable in their skin. They’re all-in for the cause, but they rest in God’s unconditional love and acceptance.
- There is a God.
- I am not Him.
Prayer: Jesus, please remind me that I am a leader and that you want me to be a leader worth following. Help me be the kind of man who has influence and uses it for the sake of your Kingdom. Give me the wisdom to make solid decisions and the courage to follow through. Above all, let my life and all that I become bring Glory to your name. Amen.
Breathe New Life Into Your Discipleship
Small group mentoring can help you engage your people, build your core group of leaders, and transform your church. Our free resources equip you with all the tools you need to launch a sustainable mentoring program.
Responses (1)
Regi,
This was a wonderfully inspiring and challenging post. I read through it with an eagerness that did not waver throughout, while you covered some important distinctions, especially while lightly but significantly staying true to the particulars of Sacred Wisdom.
I believe that you have described an important and missing Half of leadership that is an important message to hear. But its also only half, because those were not the only two words Jesus used to describe himself. He was humble in spirit, which is what metaphysically is meant by gentle of heart, but he was not Gentle in terms of Humility.
He was Bold and Confrontational. He stridently said, ‘I am The WAY.’ He said, all you hypocrites do not understand any of the words of my father. He said ‘I am not just Right, I AM.’