Leaders Who See
on Sep 25 in Faith, LeadershipWhen I was in seminary, they always taught me that true leadership was influence.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  Leadership is influence.
I’ve always hated that definition because it sounds so incredibly arrogant and manipulative.¬† A definition like that always assumes that the leader has the answer, or the way, or the vision figured out; and that all they need to do is to manipulate the people around them to catch on, and follow.¬† A leader influences, and that (in our generation) has become the core definition of leadership.
Leadership = Getting people to do what you want them to do.
Influence may be a byproduct of a good leader, but it’s not the core definition.¬† I think that true leadership is all about seeing.
Leaders see.
Leaders see what God is doing. A pastor sees that God is more interested in deep relationships than in growing the next mega-church.  A father sees that God wants His children to get involved in a ministry that visits elderly people.  A wife sees that God is healing her husband of his own father wounds.  A businessman sees that God wants his firm to donate regularly to a clean water project.
Leaders help others see how they can join God in His move, His act, His work.¬† It’s one thing to stand at a distance and say, “Look.¬† God is working over there!”.¬† But a real leader will always help people around her become practically involved in the very thing God is doing in the world.
This definition of leadership flies in the face of that leader who’s trying to build his own kingdom, based on his ability to speak publicly, or fund-raise privately.¬† We already know this in our hearts, because we’re put off by leaders who appear to be building their own kingdoms, and calling it “a move of God”.¬† We’re more discerning than we give ourselves credit for.¬† And we’re not stupid.
So think about the people who have exhibited authentic leadership in your life.¬† In my world, there’s always someone saying, “Gary.¬† Look at what God’s doing over there.”¬† Then, these men and women give me practical ways of joining Him in what He’s already doing.
That’s true leadership.
May we find those leaders in our lives.¬† May we become those leaders to the people around us.¬† And may we repent of the kingdoms we’ve been trying to build to boost our fragile egos.
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I like that. And I would add that it’s hearing too. Hearing the small whisper of God, that still small voice that says “I’m here and this is what I’m doing” “Go with me” Then it’s speaking it to those who will hear.
Gary
You missed the boat on this one. Leadership is not defined by influencing people. A gun held to the head will influence people to do alot of things. That does not make the gun holder a leader. Flowery words may influence people to do alot of things, but that does not make the orator a leader.
Leadership goes beyond mere influence. It holds to a firm set of values, does not waver with the times or social attitudes. It lives by example. inspires, and elevates. True leaders have certain attributes that go beyond charisma. Character, integrity, virtue, patience, self sacrifice, personal accountability and most important of all, being grounded in the certainty of God’s word through sound doctrine and a living faith.
Read God’s word, study it’s clear doctrinal message. The bible speaks louder than any whisper in your ear telling you to donate to clean water projects.
John – Thanks so much for your post.
I’m not sure if you misread what I’m trying to say about leadership, but I’m in complete agreement with you. I hate that people have defined “leadership” as influence. That’s the whole point of my post. I mention that “I’ve always hated that definition because it sounds so incredibly arrogant and manipulative.”
I completely agree with you that leadership goes beyond mere influence. It inspires and elevates. You’re dead on there! And I agree also with what you say about God’s word – it is clearly the loudest voice we can ever hear.
So I guess I’m wondering where you’re in disagreement with me. Maybe I completely miscommunicated my heart. If I did, I need to go back and fix some things.
Thanks for such honest conversation. I truly appreciate this opportunity, and feel like the body of Christ is stronger as a result.
What you were told in seminary about leadership being influence is what missed the point. That got me going. Now I do agree with your point that leaders, real leaders, see what God is doing, and how He is moving in people’s lives.
This cannot be separated from what God’s word says though. There are far too many church “leaders” that look beyond scripture for a higher truth, greater spiritual experience, or a re-thinking of who or what God is.
God is unchanging. His word is unchanging. His truth is unchanging. Yet we have church leaders questioning God’s word under the guise of “tolerance” and “diversity”. While Jesus walked the earth, He confronted sin and preached repentance, for the kingdom of God is at hand. Jesus said to the religious leaders of His day “Have you not read” and “It is written” how many times to try and correct their self righteousness. Jesus never preached tolerance of sin, nor reaching doctrinal compromise with the world.
In our area, there is a large church that allowed a Buddhist funeral to take place in their worship center. A church that when it was built and dedicated, was set apart and sanctified for the worship of the one true living God. New “leadership” came in that talked about rethinking who Jesus was.
Within a few years it lead to the Christian worship center being defiled by the erection of a pagan alter, idols, the invocation of demonic deities shakyamuni, amida and the buddhas of the ten directions. Songs of praise were sung to these deities, incense was offered to them, and prayers. The “pastor” of this church went so far as to say they did this because “Jesus told us to love our neighbors.”
So defile a christian worship center, break the first commandment of God, “Thou shalt not have any other gods before Me” and say Jesus made me do it. This is not leadership, it is apostasy.
Hence my reservation about any defining of leadership outside of the traditional scope and structure of sound doctrine clearly defined by scripture. Thank you for your transparency, and God bless you.