Leaders are not naturally born with great leadership skills but rather they develop and sharpen these skills first as followers. To succeed as a leader, an individual should have from the start unwavering, unconditional compassion for all people. Great leaders must be able to inspire individuals to go where they would not otherwise go.
In becoming a good leader, an individual must acquire interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with employees and colleagues. This can occur through training, experience and hard knocks. John Quincy Adams, an American statesman, diplomat, lawyer, and diarist who served as the sixth president of the United States, said that “if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
The Bible’s apostle Paul proved to be a great leader and inspired others to follow him, even to death. Paul’s abilities and excellence as a leader are written about throughout the books of the Bible. Sadly though, there are some leaders who spend their time at the “top of the mountain” trying to keep others off. Do you remember the childhood game, “King of the Hill?” In the business world this kind of activity shows a lack of immaturity and insecurity. It might work for a while, but it does not last long.
When your goal is to knock others down, you spend your time and energy watching out for people you think would do the same to you. Jules Ormont said, “A great leader never sets himself above his followers except in carrying responsibilities.” If you are in a leadership position, do not rely on your title to convince people to follow you. Build relationships. Win people over by showing you value their opinion not by manipulating them to like you. Get to know them and show that you truly care.
American author and motivational speaker John Maxwell said, “The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on leadership development. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders and continually develops them.” So Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!
By Chaplain Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net
