The truth is everyone is a leader.
It doesn’t matter what title you have, the location or the format that you lead in, the people and demographic that you serve, what type of organization you are or aren’t in, whether its a for-profit or not for-profit business. Your income level or positional status (such as a volunteer, entry-level postion, senior leadership, etc) also doesn’t matter. So what does?
One word: Influence.
The truth is that leadership is all about influence.
Influence is the ability to move people to action. It is not merely agreement and compliance, but collective cooperation and togetherness.
The true heart of influence is not transactional, but relational in nature. Leadership without relationship is manipulation. Leadership with relationship is influence.
Proverbs 14:28 in The Message version says it this way:
The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following.
In other words, you know you’re a leader if you have followers. If you’re busy leading and no one is following, it’s time to reconsider your leadership and how you’re influencing, or better yet, what you’re attempting to influence.
Jesus said it another way in Mark 10:42-45:
And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
So what is the motivation of true spiritual leadership? Influence. And the model that spiritual leaders get to emulate to exercise their influence? Servant Leadership.
You might say “But Josh, how do I do this? Where do I start? What does this look like?”
The good news is you’re not alone! The goal of this blog, my resources, and newsletter drips are to encourage, engage, and equip leaders such as yourself right where you’re at to become the faithful and influential spiritual leader God is calling you to be!
If you’re in on this journey with me, I to invite you to sound off in the comments below and let me know you’re in! Why? Cause we’re better when we’re together. Join me!
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