“The authority by which the Christian leader leads is not power but love, not force but example, not coercion but reasoned persuasion. Leaders have power, but power is safe only in the hands of those who humble themselves to serve.” – John Stott
Inspired Leadership flows from a growing maturity on the part of the leader. Inspiring leaders are dedicated to the process of self development understanding this doesn’t occur is a social vacuum. Much more than 12 bullet points to be affirmed and forgotten, these points highlight some foundational skills to reflected upon in light of your own situation, your own strengths and weaknesses and then creatively implemented into real life.
Inspired leaders:
- see the big picture and from this vantage can see alternatives.
- move forward by influencing events and inspiring people to greatness not by bullying, threats and manipulation.
- are constantly learning and invite their team to enter the process of learning with them.
- walk in humility which postures them to cultivate win-win situations where everybody shares in the success; financial, praise and meaning.
- understands in reality there are very few no-win situations. Situations may appear so if we are overly attached to a course of action, fearful, our identity tied to a certain outcome or an unhealthy drive to win.
- recognize all-or-nothing thinking is naive, uncreative and in the end, unsuccessful.
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. – John Quincy Adams
- are not quick to seek legal recourse until all other options have been exercised. Don’t be lazy and take responsibility.
- understand that while rules and obedience can inform our morals they cannot in themselves lead us to God.
- understand compromise, win-win and consensus building is not weakness or the jettisoning of values but a means of adding depth of meaning to our values and inspiring personal investment from people involved.
- see through the eyes of “get to” instead of “have to”. Leaders are positive and look for creative solution to serve the greatest numbers of people and this is a wonderful opportunity.
- provide meaningful and genuine opportunities for people to contribute by removing unhealthy barriers which restricts this and thereby increases ownership.
- explain why they make the decisions they do and how it is consistent with the communities values.