Luke 11:46 “And He said, Woe unto you also, ye lawyers! For ye lade men down with burden grievous to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens with one of your fingers”
This verse is ALL about leadership…to me at least. When I read it, it immediately reminded me of some things at a leadership camp last year. Being the right kind of leader. I categorize leaders into two groups. The first group I call ‘Title Leaders.’ This group of people are the people who lead people simply because they have the leadership title. There is nothing in their actions to show that they are the leader. All they do is tell others what to do, well not doing anything themselves to help! The biggest reason why I think title leaders are bad is because they drive a wedge between them and their people, because the people see the ‘leader’ as a mini dictator who orders others around while never doing ANYTHING!!! Now the other kind of leader that Christ was implying we should be is what I call a ‘True Leader.’ These true leaders are the people that either do, or don’t, have a title that makes them a leader. What makes this group of people TRUE leaders, is the fact that they lead by example and not by command. They show others what to do, or how to do what they are being asked to do. An example is Napoleon Bonaparte. He was an AMAZING leader because when he went to war with a country he fought in the midst of his soldiers. He of course had times when he simply commanded, but the reason he was SO successful is because HIS troops loved him because they knew that he was right there with them fighting next to them and enduring the same things that they were enduring! Awesome! People will love you more and respect you more and being A LOT more willing to follow you if they see that you are out there with them ‘getting dirty’ with them, not just standing off to the side in the shade giving orders. Bottom line is that to be a GOOD and EFFECTIVE leader you need to get out ‘in the field’ with the people you are leading, and do the tasks with them and show them that you understand ‘what they are going through’ and your proud to be able to lead them and have them work for you. I know the last part was confusing, but I hope you understand what I’m saying!
It is so true!!!!!! People are more apt to follow you if you are doing it with them!!!!!! You know some people are just born with a leader persona!!!!! Now...ok....wait...Maybe I should say they were born into a home that nurtured that leadership persona!!!!!! You're so right about the Title leader and the 'True Leader'. I never thought about it like that but you are so right!!!! Now I do believe that some people have earned the right to point the finger but that is because they were 'in the field' first doing the work and they earned the right to point the finger!!!!!!:) This was a very well thought out take on this verse!!! I never would have thought about it like this but it is really good!!!!!:)
ReplyDeleteBasically, a "true leader" leads by example, kindness, understanding, patience, humility, and involvement yet with stability, keenness, and forthrightness. Yes, some are born with it and others are taught it; but both have to be nurtured in it to know it. The one who watches, learns, serves, and experiences life as it comes along will be the greatest leader (i.e. George Washington). This country, I believe, has had no other greater leader. Levi, you had it right bub!! ;)
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Yep, you got my point!! Yeah...everyone has the potential to be a 'born leader' but it's the first 5-6 years of their life that determines that.....like you said. OH MOST DEFINITELY some people have earned it...I don't deny that...but like you said they got there because they first worked long and hard 'IN the field' WITH their people. Have you heard of John Maxwell? This verse reminds me of a story about him!! Thanks!!:D I'm glad you understood and liked it!!:D
ReplyDeleteYes i have heard of him...doesn't he write books? what is the story? You're welcome!!!!:D
ReplyDeleteYes!! Okay so when he was starting to gain recognition, he had an office in a mall. The company started to grow but the space was small, so he divided his big office into more offices for his employees and moved his office into the JANITORS closet! THE JANITOR CLOSET!!! He said his office was smaller than ANYONES but that he didn't mind. THAT is true leadership. He could have had a big office, and all his employees wanted him to, but he didn't choose that. To me THAT is being a HUGELY AWESOME leader!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow!!!! That IS true leadership!!!!! To put your followers cares above your own!!!! That is a leader that everyone wants to follow...one that has a caring heart and loves his followers!!!!!! Hmmmm....THIS reminds me of Someone else!!!! How a leader will sacrifice for the cares of his followers. Someone sacrificed a long time ago for His followers...even when they weren't following Him yet!!!!!! HE is an AWESOME leader!!!!!!:)
ReplyDeleteYeah that's what I thought!!! I wouldn't have thought of that if you hadn't said something!!!! Your so right...HE is an awesome leader and the BEST one to follow and try to copy!!!:D
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