Leadership 101

I’ve grown up under some incredible leaders. I enjoy learning from most leaders because they have much to teach with their lives. There are some leaders who are more like dictators or drill sergeants. Some leaders lead by example and instructions. Some leaders lead by orders and positional power. I have never been impressed with people who are obviously impressed with themselves.

Moses was giving the people of Israel some preliminary instructions about the time that they might choose a king to lead them. He first tells them to make sure that the Lord is very involved in the process of selection. He also speaks to what the king should know in order to lead well. Check this out…

18 When he takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the Levitical priests. 19 It is to be with him, and he is to read it all the days of his life so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees 20 and not consider himself better than his fellow Israelites and turn from the law to the right or to the left. Then he and his descendants will reign a long time over his kingdom in Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:18-20 NIV)

Leadership certainly involves a strong level of confidence without arrogance. I have said it many times before that a good leader is first a good follower. I must learn to respect those I’m leading if I want their respect in return.

I think a good leader is a learner – always looking for new ways to improve themselves and those they lead.

A good leader is also a listener. He can’t make solid decisions without all of the details and facts of the matter at hand. A leader who acts hastily before gathering all of the facts will stumble and fall unnecessarily.

I want to grow as a leader by following the Lord’s lead. He is full of truth, grace and wisdom beyond words.

Pressing On!

Dwayne