David Robinson Army 1SG, firefighter, consultant (CFPS) - retired from all!

This is a wonderful question and I certainly don't want to trivialize it. But, from my perspective, there is a fairly simple answer. The first thing you must do to become a good leader is to be a good follower… Be a good servant to others and, thereby, to God. If you are faithful as servant and if it is God's will for you to be in a leadership role, He will do the rest in His timing. God will bless your efforts by producing in you the qualities and characteristics you will need to lead other people and He will provide opportunities for you to lead.

You should also "study to show yourself approved" (2 Timothy 2:15) by reading the Bible and other books and articles on the subject from solid bible teachers, preachers and authors. The Bible has much to say about leadership, especially in the form of historical narratives showing examples of both good and bad leaders. By studying the scriptures we can identify many characteristics and guiding principles of good leaders as well as pitfalls of leaders who made costly errors. 

There is also much about leadership that can only be learned through trial and error. Though we can learn much by studying the mistakes of others in order to avoid repeating them, our most valuable lessons are often learned through our own tragic errors. Training and education are critical to effective leadership. However, you cannot step out of a classroom into a leadership position fully equipped with all it takes to be a good leader. It is, in large part, a learn-as-you-go proposition. But, if your heart is inclined toward God and you abide in Him, He will direct your path. The path He takes you down will have some pot holes, but continue to trust Him in both your victories and your set-backs.

President Dwight Eisenhower said, "Leadership is the ability to know what needs to be done and to get others to want to do it!" General Norman Schwarzkopf said, "Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But, if you must be without one, be without strategy." Although these two quotes come primarily from a secular perspective they go well together and encompass the essence of true leadership. However, there are lots of details and practical application between the lines of the quotes. 

Becoming an effective and Godly leader is not an event, but a life-long process. So, trust God to lead you in the path He has chosen for you; be faithful in serving others; study to learn the nuts-and-bolts of leadership; be prayerful but confident in your decision making; be respectful, just and merciful when dealing with other people, and walk humbly before the Lord giving Him glory for your successes and taking responsibility for your mistakes (Micah 6:8). Everything beyond this is God’s part of the process. Be assured, He will do His part perfectly.

November 27 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Brian Ansell Retired school teacher, now sell homemprovements i

Find people willing to follow you. A leader with no followers is NOT a leader whatever they think. To be seen as someone to follow, those people need to see you follow others. The best leaders lead from the middle, they trust those ahead and help those at the back! Poor leaders just run ahead without checking that others are following! 

All good teachers are leaders as their students follow them towards better learning- had Jesus not been a leader there would be no Christians today! Many with the title leader are not! Ask the followers, not the person at the top! If you ask a real leader if they are a leader they will say ask my followers!

December 03 2015 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report