WHAT IS LEADERSHIP? (Part Two)

Blog: Max Dawson
June 5, 2017
There are a variety of misconceptions about what leadership is. Here are four myths about what constitutes leadership.
1. Intellect. While it is an advantage if leaders are intelligent, that quality by itself does not guarantee that a person can lead others. We have seen cases of those who are extremely bright who may have no common sense. They cannot lead.
2. Achievement. One of the greatest drivers in NASCAR is seven time champion Richard Petty. Yet, when he ran for Secretary of State in North Carolina, the people rejected him as leader. Achievement does not equal leadership.
3. Management Skills. Is a good manager always a good leader? In the corporate world a man may move from project manager to CEO–and fail. He may know materials, machines and methods, but have no people skills.
4. Position. This is the most common myth about leadership among Christians–that if a person has a position, that automatically makes him a leader. King Saul is a great example of someone who was given a position of leadership, yet could not successfully get others to follow him. In fact, on one occasion his own army rebelled against him because of a foolish decision he made ().
Sometimes men think, “If they would just make me an elder, then I would be a leader.” We do not appoint men to the eldership to make them leaders. We appoint them to the eldership because they are leaders.
If none of these things makes one a leader, then what does? Read on.
THE FINAL WORD
“Leadership is influence.” That’s the definition given by J.O. Sanders in his book Spiritual Leadership.
Since Sanders gave that definition, a variety of men in the field of leadership training have adopted that definition. The essence of leadership involves getting others to follow. That is what leadership is. If no one is following you or looking to you for direction and guidance, then you are not a leader of men.
Jesus Christ is the greatest leader of all time. He has influenced millions to follow Him in a way no other leader has ever done. He exercised leadership without money, guns, bombs or political parties. Leadership is influence.
Obviously, there are a lot of qualities found in one’s life that make him a person of influence. We will see some of those characteristics in the upcoming weeks.
Think about yourself today. Think about your circle of influence. What qualities are found in your life that enable you to positively influence those around you?
Blessings to you, my dear friends,
–Max