True Leadership

My son has gotten to the age of responsibility and I felt it was time to write down for him what I believe to be the true essence of leadership. And since leadership has a lot to do with corporate culture, I thought I would share it with you.

....I wanted to share with you these thoughts from my years of studying Biblical examples and trying to discern what leadership truly means. Many times people (myself included) confuse leadership with being in charge or the boss. I have come to realize that while this is a part of the story, it is the smallest part and in the last chapters, not the theme of the book.
I have come to realize that leadership has a set of principles that have nothing to do with being charismatic, charming, or a great speaker. They have to do with one’s character. These are the behaviors of a Christian man of character that truly define his leadership.

Be the first to aid.
Whenever someone needs assistance, be the first to respond to the call. Whether its help carrying a bag or fixing a flat tire, or picking someone up when they fall, always be the first to their aid. Not because you know them or because you feel obligated, but because you care.

Be the first to give.
Whenever the need arises, be the first to give of your money. It may be just one dollar, but it is not the amount that matters, it is the heart of sharing what God has blessed you with.

Be the first to forgive.
Whenever you have a disagreement or argument or hurt someone else with your words or actions or they you, always be the first to forgive.

Be the first to pray.
Prayer should always come first in every situation. Some people feel uncomfortable praying aloud or leading a prayer – those people are praying to the crowd and not to God. Its not the words you speak to Him that matter, it is that you seek His counsel first.

Be the first to love.
The greatest of all commandments is to love one another. Always be the first to love others compassionately, unconditionally, and outwardly.

Be the first to serve.
Whenever a task needs to be done, be the first to step up and serve. It matters not the level of service or the profile of the task. What matters is your servant’s heart.

Be the first to submit.
Humility is the first component of leadership. Be willing to submit to the authority of God and the leaders of your church. Do not let ego enter into the equation. While you are greatly gifted, sometimes your best gift is to submit and serve at the call of others.

These principles, in no particular order, I’ve come to believe, are what truly define the character of a Christian leader. In it, is the knowledge of greatness. In my life, I have made many good choices and many more bad choices, but I have made few “wise” choices. Is there a difference between wisdom and knowledge? Yes. Knowledge is potential, but the dictionary defines wisdom as “the prudent use of knowledge.”

So, knowledge comes from the Bible and its scriptures, but the prudent use of that knowledge in our lives is wisdom. The true measure of a man will be the equation of his choices. Did he make good choices? Bad choices? Or wise choices? I believe if you continue to study and weave these principles into the fabric of your character, that you will truly be the wisest of us all.