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Overmy60plusyearsofworkinginvariousjobsIhaveseenmanytypesofpeople whoareorwereinleadershippositions.IlearnedfromallofthemwhetherIthought theyweregoodleadersornot.Thisincludesmyprintmediaexperienceof35plus years, my military years, time I have spent in civic organizations and clubs, and the churches I have attended and been active in. Manyofthesemenandwomenwereandaretremendousleadersandsomearenot nearasgoodastheythinktheyare.Ioftenwonderwhatreallymakesagreatleader and if, during this day and time, is there really one. Many will tell you how good they are but their skills and their leadership ability will tell a different story. TheBiblegivesusinsightaboutthekindofleaderGodcallsustobe.HisWordalso tells of the responsibilities each of us have when we are not in charge. First and foremost a good leader submits to God’s authority. Too often leaders subject themselves to other gods and images such as prestige, power,money,etc.GodclearlytellsusinExodus20:3throughoneofHiscommandments that“Thoushalthavenoothergodsbeforeme.”Wefindthatmanyofourso called leaders push themselves by doing what they think is best instead of talking with God and allowing Him to lead. So many leaders follow falsehoods and self- gratifications insteadofhonoringwhatGodwouldhavethemtodo. Many of us, as followers, believe leadership roles are for those that talk a good game insteadofshowingusandleadingusinagodlymanner.Theybelieveinrecognition which brings temptation to put themselves above others. A good leader is also a servant. Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus tells His disciples not to exercise authority over people but to lower themselves to be a servant. One thing I have learnedasamanagerinmyyearsofleadingpeopleisthatyouneverasksomeoneto dosomethingthatyouyourselfwouldnotorcannotdo.Agoodleaderisfreeofpride and arrogance and serves with a pure heart. IhaveseenCEO’sofcompaniesandindustriesthatcouldwalkthroughtheircompanies andcalleachoftheiremployeesbyname.Thismeanssomuchtoapersonwho youaretryingtoleadandproduceajobwelldone.Iunderstandthatsomecompanies aresolargeandhavethousandsofemployees,whichmakesitalmostimpossible,but tohanddownthismentalitytoyourrankandfilemanagersisimportantsothatthey willgoanddothesame.Agoodleaderknowsandcaresfortheirpeople.Heorshe should speak to them regularly and ask questions and listen to them. Being a leader doesn’t necessarily require you to be of certain age. Listening to others cangiveyousomeconvictionofhowandwhatyoucandobettertocareforyour people.Bydoingthisyoubecomeapersonthatsomeonewantstofollowandinturn will give you their best performance.Your example as a leader will be contagious to thosearoundyou.Leadershavetomaketoughdecisionsonoccasions,howeverthe leaderthathonorsandsubmitstoGod’sauthoritywillbecomeanexampleofthose whofollowthemandthesedecisionswillbecomeeasier.
