Are you a good leader? If you’re not a good follower, then the answer is no. You may think you are, you may fantasize about being a good leader, you may have had prophetic words that you’re going to be a good leader, you may indeed feel like a good leader, but if you are not following good, it’s a no-go! Sorry, pal.
The first and foremost way to be a good follower is to take correction well.
Recently, while riding back from a glorious revival with some gals, we had a conversation about leadership. Nuggets from the heart tend to materialize during these settings and discussions. I shared stories of my much younger years when I was “called out” by my spiritual grandfather, H. Richard Hall, my Pastors, Larry & Ramona Nix, and my boss, Barbara Gardner. I talked about how the Lord used those uncomfortable times to bring me to a place of maturity. I’m thankful I didn’t allow those seasons to make me bitter, rather, they made me better. I wasn’t inside their hearts so I couldn’t pretend to know their motives, however, I knew they loved me and that’s what mattered. Somehow I knew if I could handle them calling me out on all my junk, I could handle anything.
Carla, who has traveled with us for years, worked with us in the ministry for over a decade and is like a daughter to Keith and I spoke up, as well. She said, “It doesn’t feel good, but it is in those moments, when your leader calls you out and points out all your junk, that your life is truly changed.”
Taylor, another young lady, traveling with us, piped up and said something like, “I will never forget my attitude being pointed out by leadership. I would have never realized how I was behaving if it hadn’t been called to my attention. I straightened up after that.”
It is in those instants that your leadership ability will truly be tested. What pops to the surface? Instant rebellion, anger, pain, insecurities, fear; all are very common responses. What comes up must come out. Let it be an indicator of what needs to be purged in you so that you can rise as a leader. If you emerge better, rather than bitter, you’re a true leader. Instead of gritting your teeth, let it grow grit inside of you. You may even ugly-cry in private, but just dust yourself off and walk out stronger.
You may even ugly-cry in private, but just dust yourself off and walk out stronger.
With all of that being said, here are some other things I’ve discovered in scripture and found to be true in observation of my favorite leaders and mentors in life. Good leaders also have these traits:
Initiative
James 4:17, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it sin.”
Proverbs 10:4, “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
Sometimes you don’t need to be told every little thing to do. If you see a need, meet it. If you see trash laying on the ground, pick it up and toss it. If you’ve been instructed to do something, do you have to be told over and over again to do it? No, of course not, if you’re going to be a good leader.
Spirit of Excellence
Proverbs 22:29, “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings;”
This is not about perfectionism. It is about doing the task at hand fully and completely to the best of your ability and beyond. It’s about going the extra mile and not just to the first mile marker.
Willingness
Ephesians 6:7-8, “Rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.”
When God positions us someplace, He expects we do what we do ultimately for His glory. If we keep this as our motive, it makes things so much easier.
Obedience
Hebrews 13:7, “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.”
Whoever God gives as our leaders, they’re a gift from Him. Confidence and submission to them is an expression of confidence and submission to HIM. If we handle these gifts with honor, dignitity, and obedience, it truly provides benefit to our souls.
Follows the Example
Hebrews 13:7, “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”
Philippians 4:9, “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me – practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Good leaders follow well the examples set before them. Notice it says, “imitate their faith”. Our leaders are human. They may not always act in total faith. Sometimes they may fail. What we duplicate are the actions that are made in abdondment to the Heavenly Father.
I hope this article has helped in some way. It is my prayer that we all allow the positive and negative pressures in life to grow grit inside of us. Junk comes up to come out. Let God use your leaders to help rid you of ALL YOUR JUNK!
