Vision180's

Learning To Lead: 2

‘I have great confidence in you.’ 2 Corinthians 7:4 NIV

When people feel ‘used’ they begin to drop out. When they feel appreciated, they’ll follow you anywhere. Paul told the Corinthian believers, ‘I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged… my joy knows no bounds.’ (2 Corinthians 7:3–4 NIV) He was their biggest cheerleader. He didn’t just correct, he also comforted. He didn’t just sharpen, he strengthened―all hallmarks of great leadership.

Good leaders:

(1) Are consistent. They set an example by walking the walk so everyone knows that what’s heard at the bottom is practised at the top.

(2) Voice their appreciation, realising that people need to know they’re an important part of the team and the vision.

(3) Always listen to suggestions, opinions, concerns and ideas. They don’t pre-judge, and they’re not dismissive. Betty Bender said: ‘It’s a mistake to surround yourself only with people just like you. Throw off that warm comforter and replace it with a crazy quilt of different and imaginative people. Then watch the ideas erupt!’

(4) Don’t see people as statistics. Businesswoman Mary Kay Ash said, ‘P&L doesn’t mean “profit and loss”―it means “people and love.”’

(5) Explain why they like things done a specific way. It lessens mistakes, and the resentment that can stem from feeling ‘ordered around’. Statesman Clarence Francis said, ‘You can buy a man’s time and physical presence at a certain place… But you can’t buy enthusiasm, initiative, loyalty and the devotion of hearts, minds and souls. You have to earnthese things.’

Pray that God will help you keep these in mind as you develop your own leadership skills.

SoulFood: Acts 14–15, Mk 4:21–29, Ps 16, Prov 11:1–2

word4today an adaptation of The Word For Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2018