You are a Leader! (insert your name here)

If you don’t like my leading then you lead – Benjamin Hooks

If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully – Romans 12: 7-9

Team Leader

Yes you are a leader

Webster’s dictionary defines a Leader as a person who guides or directs over an army, or political group. Sam Walton, founder of Wal-Mart was quoted “Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish.”

A large number of people (me included) have leadership traits but choose not to seize the opportunity. Despite the fact we enhance the self-esteem of others and direct them to do immeasurable tasks! This is an attribute of a leader.

Biblical leaders

The Bible depicts many great leaders – Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, and others. Take Apostle Paul who demonstrated a remarkable example of true leadership. In Acts Chapter 27, Paul was a prisoner on board a ship heading to face Caesar. Though he was a prisoner, he took charge and told the guards that their voyage was going to be disastrous. The Centurion guards did not take heed. They set sail directly into winter storms. Through out the tedious journey Paul, continuously empowered himself as a leader by the guidance of an angel of God.  Acts27:25-26 

 A true leader is close enough to a situation to relate and mentally ahead to motivate. That was Paul.  A great leader must have faith.  Without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6 

What sets great leaders apart?

To a certain extent, society perceives great leaders as powerful and influential. They have political prowess or CEOs of corporations. Just because a corporation is profitable does not mean they have a great leader at the helm.

Executives [people] get caught up in making money at any price opposed to how they can teach, instruct and lead others to reaching their highest potential. As the old proverb goes give a man a fish you feed him for a day; teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. “True leadership is about bettering the lives of the people around you. That is a simple idea, but far too few people don’t follow it,” stated journalist Shaun Rein.

Leadership opportunities

At many junctures in life we are close enough to a situation to relate but far enough ahead to motivate. This is that leadership opportunity.  However this is typically when we run. The mind conjures up a plethora of reasons why you should not lead – time, willingness to commit, fear, and doubt. What is your reason?

You may not be in charge of an organization, group or church committee however there are situations where you can step out, take the lead. “Great leaders are those who are willing to give up something to help the little person.” Fear, doubt, lacking faith are no options.

Stand up! Stand up today and be the leader that you were called to be! 

Tigner Rand