To accompany something without being a major part of it is how incidental is defined. The word, however, is also linked to a liability that happens as the consequence of an activity. Incidental is further identified as occurring by chance in connection with something else.

What does all this mean for leadership? How does this word play a part in leading others? Here are a few ideas to study.

Incidentals are never planned when leading others. At times, the unexpected happens. We cannot always explain why it happens, but we experience consequences as a result of our involvement in a number of activities related to our development in leadership, thus incidentals.

We find the need for incidentals in various areas of our leadership. By way of example, plans, and people are directly connected to the major goals of any organization. These are not major components, but incidentals assist our moving along more smoothly.

Incidentals may not always occur when we want, nor the way we want, but they can provide a wealth of benefit in leadership when understood and used correctly.

Scripture speaks to the idea of measuring devices and the need for measuring. We also find references to the consequences of measuring ourselves by others.

As much as we may fight doing so, we are drawn to the competitive mindset of wondering or considering how well we do / did with the performance of someone else.

Students compare grades, employees compare paychecks, managers compare productivity, and the list goes on.

Leadership should never be about measuring our grade, paycheck, productivity, or anything else with others who are leading.

Instead, we need to find the right standard by which we measure ourselves, along with our goals, plans, and results. The standard referred to here is the example of Jesus and the word provided through the divinely guided work of the Holy Spirit.

When we evaluate who we are and what we do and measure it by the right standard, we find areas where constant improvement is needed.

These areas make up our attitude, character development, words, and actions. Aligning with the right standard increases the level of influence our leadership has in the lives of everyone around us.

“Some people come into your life as blessings, others come into your life as lessons.” Mother Teresa

This post is not to condone or support any one person or thing, but the thought expressed here is true. This thought is also expressed in a number of ways, one of which goes something like this: “Everyone brings happiness, some when they come and some when they leave. Therefore, live your life in such a way that people are happy to see you come.”

How is our leadership characterized? Are we a blessing or a lesson?

The answer may be a matter of perspective, but the question is relevant. As we influence those we meet, and those who watch from a distance, we should consider how our words and actions make a difference.

Our words should always be with grace, seasoned as with salt, so that we know how to respond to every person (Col. 4:6).

We need to provide an example in life of such a nature that others glorify God when they see it (Mt. 5:16).

Following this advice will make us a blessing and a lesson.

A large insurance company launched an advertising campaign built on this statement. The idea presented the need for everyone to have coverage for the “if” in life.

This phrase is a powerful play on the word – life. Life is filled with many “if’s.” Answering the “what if” questions in our day-to-day activities is where we struggle.

What if we lose our job?

What if we suffer a terminal illness or some other tragedy?

What if we miss an opportunity?

What if we fail?

What if we forget an important date or task?

What if we have not done enough?

What if…

The difficulty in answering “what if” is that we often turn to a works oriented, Pharisaical relationship with God and His people.

We lose sight of God’s grace and the joy of His salvation.

Leadership does not mean we escape the “if’s” of life. Rather, leadership means we know where to point others for the right coverage provided by God for every “if” in life.

Here is where the answers outline and identify our hope for a life to come, where “if” does not exist.

One of the most frightening places to be is alone. The very thought of facing the stress of making difficult decisions, handling challenges, or overcoming trials alone, is less than appealing. When we begin feeling this way our perspective is altered.

Consider Elijah, who climbed to the top of Mount Carmel with the power and glory of God, yet in the next chapter flees in fear at the threat of a wicked queen. In his discussion with God about the situation, he expresses the depression of being alone.

The beauty of this divine discussion is how God gently reminds Elijah that he is not alone. There were more than 7,000 who refused to bow the knee to Baal. Apart from this fact, Elijah needed to know God was there all along; he was never alone.

Events in life can often create that sense of being alone. We feel the pressures of work and leadership, the weight of family responsibility (physical and spiritual), and the struggles that challenge our faith.

During these times, it is comforting to have a friendly and gentle reminder, “you are not in this alone.”

The idea of being strikingly different from something else identifies a contrast. Throughout the Bible we find numerous contrasts made by various people.

Jesus talked about the contrast of light and darkness, building on sand or the rock, dividing the saved from the lost on His right and left.

James talks about the contrast of the rich and poor, as well as, wisdom from above with earthly, natural, and demonic wisdom.

Paul also contrasted the flesh and spirit, the strong from the weak, along with life and death.

These are only a few of the contrasts seen throughout the New Testament. When we examine leadership, we also find an application of contrast. The greatest implication, however, is connected to the definition.

Our leadership needs to be strikingly different from everything else. When the Word is our foundation, Jesus our Lord, God our primary guide, and heaven our focus, then our leadership will be strikingly different.

Developing our leadership in contrast to the example of leadership in the world is how the most significant difference is made in the lives of others.

Observing others needs to be far more than a mental exercise or practice. There is a great deal occurring every second and how we see others as we galavant through our day makes a huge difference in our influence in their lives.

The challenge is to avoid being cynical and negative. Watching or reading the news of national and international events tends to feed the beast of cynicism and negativity.

Instead, our view of the world must change. We often attempt to force our view of the world on God and believe His view of the world is the same as ours. We need to back up and rethink.

The opposite is necessary. We need to learn to see the world around us in the way that God sees it. We need to see the battered, bruised, and hurting souls all around. Instead of seeing color, language barriers, ethnicity, social position, or philosophical differences, our shift in thinking needs to center around the love and compassion of an Almighty Creator who desires all to be saved.

When we reach this point, the level of urgency to help changes.

“Until you see fear as an opportunity for growth, you won’t grow beyond your current self.” Robert Tew

Think about what we fear: failure, success, death, life, illness, health, laziness, work, rejection, acceptance, loss, gain, physical, spiritual, or thousands more.

We could focus on what we fear and why we fear it. Our purpose, however, is not to acknowledge our fears, but to consider the growth potential beyond those fears.

The intent here is not to insist on facing our fears in order to overcome them. There are legitimate ways to deal with fear, grow, and achieve success.

The most common step is awareness. We need to know what causes our fear, but also why we are afraid.

We need to ask appropriate questions regarding the nature of our fear.

Another critical step is to find trustworthy people that we can talk to and discuss a plan for dealing with our fears.

Perspective of our fears in light of biblical teaching aids us in developing the right focus on approaching those fears.

These are just few starting points that enable us to grow beyond our fears.

Control is an issue on every level. Too many fight the idea of losing control. Others are afraid of losing what control they have to someone else. Still, there are others living with uncertainty concerning who is in control.

One of the many challenges in the realm of humanity is the desire to have control. Our tendency is to want material possessions because we feel that if we own it, we can control it.

Sadly, our approach to money is similar. We hold on so tightly to our money that we fail to give as instructed by God. Additionally, we are challenged with giving, while still wanting control of how the gift is used.

The same is often true with our leadership. The desire to lead others can be an issue of control. We feel that if we are a leader, we control the direction and actions of others.

We struggle with the truth that there is only One who is in control, always has been and always will be. The sooner we give to Him what is rightfully His, the better our own leadership.

The phrase “knock and it shall be opened” is the third of three expressions Jesus directed in the “Sermon on the Mount.”

Characteristic to Hebrew literary influence, the same sentiment exists in all three, just stated in different words. The idea described is one of persistence. Jesus taught, not just the need for disciples to seek, ask, and knock, but to keep on seeking, asking, and knocking.

Leadership influence in any culture benefits when leaders demonstrate persistence.

Consider the impact on people when they see Christians who are not quick to accept “no” for an answer. A love for the soul’s eternal destiny drives a repeated seeking, asking, and knocking on the heart of someone until they know the danger ahead.

Think about the spiritual implication for leaders who see the need to pursue with persistence those brethren who are struggling in their faith. They do not accept rejection when they ask once, but press on to show their love.

Imagine the difference to be made if we knock and keep on knocking. Jesus promises, “it shall be opened.” This is the intent.