As we travel through life we see the necessity of leadership at home, at school, at church, in business, in our communities, and in our country. A leader has a set of values making him or her who they are.
A leader creates a vision and has the ability to share that vision with others. Accomplishing that vision starts with setting goals.
Leaders have the ability to handle conflict. They tackle the issue in an open and positive way. They genuinely listen. They have wisdom. Wisdom is different than knowledge. Knowledge is acquired and is an accumulation of facts. Wisdom is God given and is the ability to use those facts in an appropriate way.
An important characteristic of a good leader is humility. A good leader will gladly help with the mundane and dirty jobs behind the scenes without recognition. Humility is not inability or weakness. Humility is idling horsepower. Christ was a perfect example of humility when He was on earth. He had all the ability and strength of heaven and earth combined. Yet He chose to lead with a servant attitude.
Leaders engage and involve people. They clearly state their purpose, have the tools necessary, encourage and affirm, and recognize others and give them credit when the job is completed.
A good leader often leads behind the scenes. Behind the scenes is not from the rear. Trying to lead from the rear is like trying to push a log chain. It's next to impossible. A leader sees possibilities and good ideas before others and pursues those ideas. That's why we're not going through life on steel wheels with horses any more.
Integrity is a must in leadership. Honesty, openess, fairness, and trust must be charecteristics of a good leader. When a leader shows these charecteristics by example with his time and energy he earns respect from others. Respect must be earned. It can not be demanded. It does not come with the position or office.
People like to be around a good leader. They are fun to visit with. They have a sense of humor and they even have the ability to laugh at themselves.
Many times we are asked to lead in our communities, our schools, or at church. Often these are thankless jobs. There is a surrender involved when we approach the work of leadership with a serving attitude verses a ruling attitude to the folks we represent. However surrender brings us blessings we never expected.
In Iowa our TVs and radios are contant adds for people wanting to help lead our country. Some are sharing their ideas of how they can lead. Many are doing nothing more than running down and talking bad about their opponent because they don't dare tell us their agenda. This is the most important election in my lifetime. Iowa is in the center of this fight between capitalism and socialism. I know this is a strong statement but I believe if we do not prevail in preserving our values and freedoms it will not be game on as Rick said but game over for our children and grandchildren.
A leaders greatest contributions are the ones he leaves behind. Leaders are not defined by who they are. He or she is defined by what they do or have done. Folks don't come to a persons funeral because they have a lot of stuff. Mostly folks come and give their respects based on what that that person did and because of how that person treated others.
"But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader shall be like a servant." Luke 22:6
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