Tag: Influence

Heart

Do we have the heart for leadership? Our leadership is about influence, passion, character, vision and much more.

If we have the heart for leadership then we do what is necessary to prepare ourselves in each area to grow and develop appropriately.

Do we have the heart for people? Good leadership involves people and no two people are the same.

Having a heart for people means being a part of their lives and being transparent with our own. Connecting with people raises leadership to incredible heights and makes an eternal difference.

Not everyone has the heart for it. However, those who have a heart for leadership change the shape of tomorrow.

Great Influence

Our culture has developed a great ability to act one way, yet at the core they are someone else.

We refer to this as hypocrisy. While true, we also need to understand it has become accepted and normal.

We must guard against such when we look at spiritual leadership. How many times in the past has the core of a religious leader been exposed in sinful activity?

Godly leaders need to be characterized by a core that walks with integrity, works righteousness and speaks truth in the heart (Ps. 15:2).

Here is where we begin to develop the opportunity for our greatest influence.

Arrogance

We become critical when we see arrogance. Consider the following explanation.

“Arrogant people ignore or downplay good ideas from others, as they cannot accept that others might have better ideas than themselves. This makes reasonable communication difficult and arguments impossible to resolve fairly as the arrogant person will not accept the other person’s point of view.” http://psychology.wikia.com/wiki/Arrogant

Michael Weed said, “Arrogance is ignorance in a suit.” One who is arrogant does not recognize such, indicating an ignorance beyond their own intelligence.

Leaders must guard against the appearance of arrogance. It is destructive to our influence and credibility.

Cultural Leadership

Do leaders shape culture or does culture shape leaders?

Initially, we might think it’s both. Certainly the culture has an influence on leadership and leadership has an influence on culture.

However, spiritual leaders must not allow a worldly culture to guide God’s people. Instead, they must shape culture into the image of Jesus.

How can this be done?

We must learn and understand the culture.
Recognize the need of culture.
Provide an example to the culture.
Suggest a better culture.

The idea is to present a culture so appealing and different they are willing to leave where they are to have the new one.

A few steps can shape needed changes with a greater focus toward Christ.

Good or Bad

Leadership is about those who follow. General Douglas MacArthur said, “A general is just as good or just as bad as the troops under his command make him.”

Leaders can become so enamored with leading that they focus on themselves, forgetting their influence in the lives of others.

Interestingly, General MacArthur emphasized that a leader is just as good or bad as followers make them.

Listen to those who are led. What do they say or do? Careful observation reveals a great deal about our leadership.

A true and lasting impact is built upon a leader who places emphasis upon others rather than themselves.

More

We have all heard ads for products followed up with, “Wait, there’s more.” At this point the offer is usually doubled in some manner.

Considering our leadership, what more is there? 

Leadership is more than power.
Leadership is more than position.
Leadership is more than a title.
Leadership is more than influence.

There will always be more regarding spiritual leadership. If we approach the task with humility and love, we can realize growth in the church and bring glory to our God.

But there will always be more! 

If we act now, more souls will enjoy the beauty of heaven.

Childlike Leadership

Observing children raising an interesting question, “Who really leads who?”

While we might like to think parents have a powerful influence in the development of these little lives as they grow, it is interesting how children lead in their own right.

They know how to get everyone’s attention, and quickly.
They know how to follow.
They know they must learn how to work together with others.
They know the value of love and giving it unconditionally.
They know that unsolicited hugs and good manners usually get them what they want.

Think about leadership. Perhaps observing children can help us all improve in our ability to lead.

Negativity

Negativity is a powerful influence. Whether age, circumstances of life, challenges within the church, or any number of areas, we can easily become cynical.

We cannot and must not allow daily external situations influence our efforts in making change.

We not only have a reason to live, but a reason to have joy in this life, as we anticipate the coming of an eternal one.

Our efforts as leaders must be to make a positive change. The external circumstances will always exist and challenge the core of leadership. However, we must arise above it and lead to make a positive change, beginning with us.

An Eternal Matter

When we boil it all down, what really matters?

We often make life complicated. We get caught up in trivial pursuits and do not focus of what really matters.

Please do not misunderstand. We must work to provide for our families. We need time for rest and recreation. There are also family responsibilities.

If, however, we believe that spiritual and eternal matters are the priority, then why do we often spend our lives focused on areas that are temporary in nature?

As we end 2025 and begin 2026, a new year, let us lead with our priorities firmly established and influence the major areas of life in ways to make heaven that much sweeter.

A Place for Leadership

Where is your place? Do you have a place?

Does leadership have a place? When we evaluate all the people and activities that fill the places in our lives, where does leadership fit, or does it?

Regarding our influence, we need to consider the following:

Should immoral activities have a place in our life?
Do we allow inappropriate language to have a place?
Will we welcome questionable conduct into its own place?
Is there a place for hypocrisy in our lives?

There is no place for worldly behavior in the life of God’s spiritual leaders. We need to exemplify the place of spiritual leadership.