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Some people consider leadership to be the ability to motivate and inspire others to get a job done.
Good leaders are generally known by the character qualities they demonstrate in motivating others to meet goals, and in the integrity of being consistent in their character, and therefore being trustworthy.
To be a great leader is to have both the character and competency to deliver on the vision you provide.
Leadership competencies identified by global leaders when surveyed by the Harvard Business Review include;
Interesting that Ethics and Morals are at the top, because without this all the other competencies cannot be trusted to benefit those following the leader.
Leaders have the following core skills in execution of change;
- Communicate a clear vision
- Model the path with integrity
- Provide accountability
- Recognize results
The Bible has many great examples of people who provided leadership.
Deborah stands out due to both her spiritual and civil leadership and served as a judge to rule over Israel during extended years of turmoil. Deborah's actions and attitude deserve careful attention.
I. WISE AND AVAILABLE (Judges 4:4-7)
A. Service as a Judge (vv. 4, 5) Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, held court in mount Ephriam and the Israelites came to her for judgement. Also for 20 years God's people bowed under Jabin's the Philistine's oppression, due to their disobedience to God. Deborah was appointed as Judge by God to help the people endure In the Hebrew language the title judge indicates someone who will bring others into a right relationship. This points to the spiritual dimension even though the specific tasks were of a civil nature. The three basic functions were administration, the settlement of disputes, and military leadership.
B. Godly Leader (vv. 6, 7) And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedesh-naphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the Lord God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun? And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
II. SUBMISSION TO GOD'S PLAN (Judges 4:8-24)
A. Personal Availability (vv. 8-13) And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding, the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the Lord shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
B. Proper Timing (vv. 14-16) And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the Lord hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the Lord gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
Their victory is overwhelming. It's not because of their tactics or fighting skill. Rather, God enters the battle and Sisera's forces are utterly confused and destroyed. According to Judges 5:21, it appears God sends a flash flood which turns the plain into a muddy quagmire. The chariots are rendered useless. Barak's army kills all of Sisera's forces.
III. HUMBLE AND GRATEFUL (Judges 5:1-31)
A. Song of Praise (vv. 1-5) Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
B. Ruled in Years of Peace (vv. 6-31) 31. So let all thine enemies perish, O Lord: but let them that love him be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. And the land had rest forty years.
Other examples of Biblical Leaders can be seen in this list.
Quotes
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. Jesus in -Matthew 20:26
Leadership is lifting a person's vision to high sights, the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. —Peter Drucker
Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others. —Jack Welch
Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out. —Stephen Covey
The greatest leaders mobilize others by coalescing people around a shared vision. —Ken Blanchard
Books to Read
- One Minute Manager - Blanchard - holds three tools, 60 seconds each. Set three goals for each of your employees, which you can review in one minute or less. Use one minute praise to give your employees positive feedback When needed A one minute reprimand is more than enough to express your dissatisfaction.
- Leadership and the One Minute Manager - Leading with situational Styles - Blanchard
From Leadership and the One Minute Manager® you’ll learn why tailoring management styles to individual employees is so important; why knowing when to delegate, support, or direct is critical; and how to identify the leadership style suited to a particular person.
- Lead Like Jesus - Blanchard
Effective leadership—whether on the job, in the community, at church or in the home—starts on the inside. Before you can hope to lead anyone else, you have to know who you are. Every leader must answer two critical questions: Whose are you going to be? Who are you going to be? One deals with your relationship to Christ. The other with your life purpose.
- We believe Jesus is the greatest leadership role model of all time.
- We believe leadership happens anytime we influence the thinking, behavior, or development of another person.
- We believe effective leadership starts on the inside with our hearts.
- We believe serving is the only approach to leadership Jesus validates for his followers.
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