Judges 7:17
“Watch me,” he told them. “Follow my lead. When I get to the edge of the camp, do exactly as I do.”
Effective leaders understand that caring about workers is even more important than caring about work. They understand that happy people who feel cared about by the person leading them are more productive. Three things set effective leaders apart:
1. They are facilitators. They realize that nobody is ever what they ought to be until they are first doing what they ought to be doing ant that they way to accomplish their own goals is to help others reach theirs.
2. They are courteous. They never look down or talk down. They don’t have one set of manners for the important people and another set for the less important. To them, everyone is important because everyone has God-given potential. Servant-hearted leaders work hard to bring it out in the people they are leading.
3. Effective leaders are decisive. Joshua’s challenge cut to the chase: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15) No waffling allowed! People need direction; therefore the good leader has to be decisive. Leaders are generally remembered for one of two thing: the problems they caused through indecision, or the problems they solved through clear direction. The effective leader sometimes has to go out on a limb, because that’s where the fruit is.
Think about this prayer:
“Lord, it is not easy being in the spotlight. It is lonely and scary and often the last place I want to be. This task is so far beyond me that there is nothing I can do but throw myself on You, asking for your strength and wisdom. Help me to exercise my authority with grace. Keep me strong. Give me courage and confidence. My desire is to lead with Your heart: give me the love it takes to lead well. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Related Text:
John 15
