By Darrel Proffitt, Lead Pastor
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7
Leadership is influence. It’s not a badge one wears, nor a degree that one earns. It is simply having influence over another person or group of people. As such, the most important way that a leader exerts influence is by modeling in his/her life the qualities that he/she hopes to see in his/her followers.
One of my early learnings as a leader was something called “the leadership lid” principle. This means that a leader cannot hope to see people grow further than where he himself is. If I want to see a church full of fully devoted followers of Jesus, then I have to be one as well. This concept has changed the way I preach, teach and lead. It also makes demands on the way I spend my time, my money and how I love my friends and family.
If you think you can read a book, listen to a podcast or go to a seminar and then be an effective leader, then think again. There is really one tool that all leaders need to use every day: a mirror. Who are you as a person is the most important question for a leader. Where do you want to lead the people God has given you to influence? If you want to be effective, then it starts with your mind, then your heart and finally your actions. The problems that face government, the market place and the church are all summed up in this: a lack of effective leaders. Do you want to be an effective leader? Then be the person you hope to lead others to become.
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7
Leadership is influence. It’s not a badge one wears, nor a degree that one earns. It is simply having influence over another person or group of people. As such, the most important way that a leader exerts influence is by modeling in his/her life the qualities that he/she hopes to see in his/her followers.
One of my early learnings as a leader was something called “the leadership lid” principle. This means that a leader cannot hope to see people grow further than where he himself is. If I want to see a church full of fully devoted followers of Jesus, then I have to be one as well. This concept has changed the way I preach, teach and lead. It also makes demands on the way I spend my time, my money and how I love my friends and family.
If you think you can read a book, listen to a podcast or go to a seminar and then be an effective leader, then think again. There is really one tool that all leaders need to use every day: a mirror. Who are you as a person is the most important question for a leader. Where do you want to lead the people God has given you to influence? If you want to be effective, then it starts with your mind, then your heart and finally your actions. The problems that face government, the market place and the church are all summed up in this: a lack of effective leaders. Do you want to be an effective leader? Then be the person you hope to lead others to become.
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