Leadership is not for the fainthearted. Many in leadership positions are there because they want to be, regardless of the costs. Many are there because they are required to do so; they need to be there. There are many reasons why and how a person obtains a leadership position. But there are many people who are leaders that are not in leadership positions. No matter your position, no matter your role, leaders need to understand what is required of them.
There was a time when a group of men came together and “attached themselves” to a cause. They were both brave and mighty, joined together in a noble task: to help their leader become king. What were these men like? What can we learn from them to be brave leaders in 2015? There are 3 characteristics we can learn from these men that are needed in 2015.
Commitment. These men were determined to make their leader, David, king. They were single minded, wholehearted and committed to David and to the cause. However, we face two choices regarding personal commitment. They are: the pursuit of comfort or the pursuit of a cause. If you choose comfort, you eliminate yourself from effective leadership since your decisions will be self-serving. If you choose a cause, then be careful of the cause you choose, but choose one.
“Individual commitment to a group effort – that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” Vince Lombardi
Competence. These men understood the times in which they lived in. These men were ready for battle and they were the kind of people you would want to have when going against an enemy. They were proven, competent warriors who knew what to do and how to do it. ALTHOUGH today we are not talking about battle, but there are questions to ask of yourself: Do I understand the environment in which I work? Am I a proven leader who knows what to do and how to do it? What am I willing to do to become competent to lead others?
“Competence goes beyond words. It’s the leader’s ability to say it, plan it, and do it in such a way that others know that you know how- and know that they want to follow you.” ~ John. C. Maxwell
Courage. The final, but no less important characteristic. Courageous leaders are greatly needed today, however many people are put off by leadership because it comes with costs and consequences – like anything in life. But also, many leaders do what is necessary to retain their leadership positions and thus do not serve the people they were to lead. This is found in politics, the boardroom, our schools.. no one is immune to fear. Are you a courageous leader? Are your decisions based on what is best for your organization? Or the county or city you elected to lead? What are your fears and what are you doing to address them?
“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” ~Karl Barth, Swiss Theologian
“Courage is doing what you’re afraid to do. There can be no courage unless you’re scared.” ~Eddie Rickenbacker
Our world, our society, many businesses and organizations, churches are still seeking for ordinary individuals who are willing to become brave leaders that are committed, competent, and courageous. Bill Hybels once wrote that “God didn’t make you a leader to respond to stuff all day. He made you a leader to move things forward.”
It is time to move things forward in 2015. Be committed. Be competent. Be courageous.
I welcome your comments. Did I miss something? Do you agree, or disagree? What are your thoughts?