When You're the Leader (3)

Sunday, 28 November 2010 00:00
'...the leader should be like a servant.' Luke 22:26 NLT

Michael Bruner writes about how, as a brash young college student, he attended a lecture by a former US Attorney General. He says: 'Afterwards I approached him to see if we could meet for coffee. To his associates' shock, he said, "How about tomorrow"...We met and talked for an hour...I peppered him with questions. What famous people had he met? What was it like to be Attorney General in the 60s? When I asked him who was the greatest person he'd ever met, he said, "I don't think of people in those terms." He went on to tell me something I'll never forget. "Don't ever seek to be the greatest. Seek instead to do great things. If you aspire to greatness, your greatness will die with you. But if you aspire to do great things, your legacy will live on. The only way to do this is by being a servant. Lead by serving and you'll do great things." I was too young in the faith to know he'd taken those words from Scripture...Jesus was the embodiment of servant leadership. He didn't just tell the disciples what they should do, He did it along with them...As I left the hotel that morning and waited to cross the street, a blind man with a seeing-eye dog came up alongside me. I stared at the beautiful Lab...his senses alert, his sole purpose in life to serve his...master. Then the light turned green and gently the dog led [him] across the street...God had sent me a living parable. I learned a lesson that morning I would never forget. Pursue great things, not greatness; lead by serving.'

** I should think of pursuing great things rather than pursuing greatness. Yes, greatness will die with me but the great things that were left behind will be a forever legacy. I want to be that kind of person. A person who will leave behind something great fro other people to use and apply in their lives. I must change my selfish desires and start being a good leader by serving others. Those who cannot pay me back. Those people who really need help.

When You're the Leader (2)

Saturday, 27 November 2010


'...Whoever wants to be a leader...must be your servant.' Matthew 20:26 NLT


Mac Anderson says: 'Like every human being, I have doubts, fears and disappointments... As leaders, however, we must manage our attitude...we can't underestimate the influence of our actions and attitudes. Churchill said, "The price of leadership is responsibility...to stay positive whether you feel like it or not." A good leader launches out before success is certain...doesn't run from confrontation...talks about his own mistakes before anybody else's, and acknowledges them before others have to discover and reveal them. He looks for opportunities to find his teammates doing something right, and encourages the smallest improvement. He doesn't tolerate murmuring in himself or in others...is specific in his expectations...values accountability...does what's right instead of what's popular or convenient.'

What does the word 'servant' bring to your mind? The guy who works behind the scenes? The personal assistant who makes you look good? The spouse who worked so you could complete your degree? Charles Stanley says: 'Godly servants are all around us, but, sadly, we frequently take them for granted. This is a tragedy we need to correct, not only for their sakes but for our own. Their faithful service brings untold blessings...Wherever Joseph went, the people he served were blessed. Potiphar wasn't a God-fearing man, yet he prospered because of Joseph. Find the people in your life who have the gift of godly service and spend time with them...When you turn your nose up at someone doing "servant's work" you cut yourself off from a relationship that could literally change your life.'

Each of us has the potential to be great - not famous, but great, because greatness comes by serving!

When You're the Leader (1)

Friday, 26 November 2010

'...work together with the same purpose...' 1 Corinthians 3:8 NLT

Church growth consultant Jim Wideman highlights some things you can do to help those looking to you for direction:

(1) Put their goals and needs first. You're a part, not the 'whole enchilada'. Think about how your actions affect others. Be observant of the challenges and setbacks they're experiencing, and find ways to lighten their load even if they don't ask.

(2) Help others to win. Let others take a slam-dunk while you take an assist. Keep the ball moving till someone has a chance to score. Adopt the motto, 'It doesn't matter who gets the credit.' Be willing to accept blame and reluctant to assign it. Maintain an authentic desire to share victories. 'A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse' (Mark 3:24 NLT); you can't sink someone else's end of the boat and keep your own afloat.

(3) Over-communicate. Keep everyone in the loop, spend time with your peers, invest in your teammates, and admit when you need help. Be open to correction and advice. Leadership coach Rick Tate said, 'Feedback is the breakfast of champions,' and a good communicator is a good listener.

(4) Don't take things personally. Leadership, by definition, is about 'others.' When you start thinking it's all about 'you,' you lose perspective.

(5) Give it all you've got. Paul, Timothy's mentor, said to him: 'Do your best... [be] a worker who has no need to be ashamed...' (2 Timothy 2:15 NRS).

Good leaders empower others. Henry Mintzberg said: '...the best managing of all may well be silent. That way people can say, "We did it ourselves."'


*** Godly good leadership.

I am happy in the learning I am having right now. Not as an obedient follower but as a person who honors authority even though the don't actually deserve it (like my boss,yes.. honor should be readily given to anyone and respect is earned).

Can I be a leader that could possess these qualities?

I do hope I can empower others too. To give sometimes what you do not have is an important thing. To have compassion to those who were hurting is a selfless act God wanted us to experience too.

Don't Play the Fool

Thursday, 25 November 2010

'...I have played the fool...' 1 Samuel 26:21 NKJV

Your obituary says a lot about you. Towards the end of his life, King Saul said, '...I have played the fool...' (1 Samuel 26:21 NKJV). Israel's first king was destined for greatness till he decided to do things his own way instead of God's way. When the Philistines attacked Israel he tried to rally his troops, who were immobilised by fear. He knew he should wait for the prophet Samuel to come and offer a burnt sacrifice as required by the law. But he said, 'I'll just do it myself. Under the circumstances, God won't mind.' That one act of disobedience ended his career. He died by committing suicide on the battlefield; a life filled with promise, ended in disgrace.

You play the fool by: (1) Disregarding God in little things. Saul's fall didn't happen overnight. Little sins morph into big ones. Thinking, 'It's no big deal,' Saul took matters into his own hands. He said, '...I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself...' (1 Samuel 13:12 NLT). Note the words, 'I felt.' It can feel so right, yet be so wrong. Only trust your feelings when they line up with God's Word. (2) Trying to justify your behaviour. Saul rationalised, '...I saw my men scattering...you didn't arrive when you said...the Philistines are...ready for battle' (1 Samuel :13:11 NLT). Stop rationalising, repent, and obey God! (3) Letting resentment control you. Though he had the makings of a great leader, when David started to gain popularity, Saul's resentment ended up destroying him.

Most people learn from their own mistakes; wise people learn from other people's! Learn from Saul; don't play the fool.