"When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord!" (Judges 5:2)
The responsibility for this kind of happy, fruitful situation begins with someone being willing to lead. In Europe and North America many leaders hold back for fear of being considered controlling. If you are a passenger in a car you are thankful that someone is in control. Control is not a dirty word it just means someone is taking the responsibility of leading.
12 Characteristics a Leader Must Grow in to have Good Success with Followers
1. They must know where they are going, not being afraid to lead.
a. He is led by purpose and principle, not by problems and people.
b.He gives clear direction so followers can see the way and walk in it (Habakkuk 2:2; Proverbs 28:19).
2. They must be hard workers, setting a good example for those who follow.
Thomas Edison said that “genius was 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration” (Proverbs 13:4; Proverbs 14:23). "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works." (Ephesians 2:10)
3. They must be good listeners with ears to hear. (James 1:19)
Followers value someone who will listen to them. And a good listener hears what is really being said.
4. They must be good organizers. (Prov. 24:27)
a. You can’t build on organization, but you can’t build without it either.
b.Organization is something you do before you do something so that is doesn’t turn out a mess. The more organized and prepared you are the more confident and free from fear you are. Remember the ant: he prepares beforehand. Learn to plan ahead and think through on the details.
5. They must not make impulsive decisions.
Whoever believes will not act hastily. (Isaiah 28:16)
a. All major decisions are not just something you wake up and make. They come after seasons of prayer, counsel and discussion (Proverbs 24:2-3 LB).
b. The sign of a good leader is the ability to make a swift, clear decision when a decision is called for.
c. Know when to say, “I don’t know, but I will pray about it, and get back to you” (Proverbs 15:28).
6. They must not be afraid to change when change is required.
a. Don’t be so rigid that you can’t change. Be open to creative thoughts from God. (Proverbs 16:3)
b. Ask yourself these three questions:
- Will change help me accomplish my goal?
- Will it create problems? (Why change if it’s working?)
- Is this the only method I can employ or is there a better way?
7. They must have an inner motivation that energizes and inspires those they lead.
In tough times you must do some things out of character, not inspiration. Many of the best messages I have ever preached have been when I have least felt like it and I have had to reach down into myself and do it out of character. Character will see you through when you don’t feel inspired.
"Be ready in season and out of season." (2 Timothy 4:2)
8. They must be predictable.
a. Be a person that others could set their clock by—true to your word.
b. Be someone who “swears to his own hurt and changes not” (Psalm 15:5). This creates a sense of security; you can know what to expect of someone like this.
9. They must learn to conceal heartaches and disappointments.
a. Rise above your feelings, having joy regardless of the circumstances.
b. If you have a problem as a leader, talk to the senior overseer, not the congregation.
10. They must be able to identify with those they are leading.
Put yourself in their place. Answers may be clear to you, but not to them. Ezekiel said, I sat where they sat. (Ezekiel 3:15)
11.They must have a check list, never trusting everything to memory.
You can save about two hours a day if you spend half an hour organizing your day the night before.
12. They must spend time alone with the Lord and their family.
People will consume you if you let them. Know your source of power. Jesus had to go out into the wilderness to be alone to pray. If it was important for Jesus, it should be important to you. We don’t want anybody to burn out, fizzle out or drop out. Let’s finish our course with joy!
The foundation for developing yourself and others is wrapped up in this principle: “You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” It lets others know you genuinely care about them. And it will make others want to follow your leadership.
Dr. George Hill
President/Founder
Victory Churches International