Leadership

Inspired by a good sermon I heard this weekend I thought I would share a few words...

We’ve all had leaders in our lives. From the moment we are born we’ve followed leaders.

Leaders that we really enjoyed following and some leaders that we couldn’t wait to stop following.  

We follow teachers, coaches, celebrities, bosses... and some leaders were really great and some really bad.

Maybe you’ve had a boss that was very good at uplifting and encouraging and always providing you a step up. Setting you up for growth - seeing the potential in you and allowing you to rise to the occasion.

Or maybe some have had a boss where it seems they are setting you up for failure every time, you feel like what the heck is wrong with this guy.

It’s human nature to follow - it’s human nature to want to be led. Nothing is wrong with that, but so often we are misled.  

There are some of us out there who have a desire to lead, a unique ability or God given talent, but how can we do it right? How do we become a great leader and not hurt people, abuse or mislead?

To be a Great Leader Means Focusing On Others.

When effective people lead, speak, coach or teach, they see themselves as ‘guides’ helping others to learn.

As humans - people are much more concerned with knowing what a leader can do for them and whether you care about them. That means you need to communicate with love, gratitude, compassion, and seeing your unique ability to teach as a gift.

Sometimes when communicating we are concerned with our own self-image and what people will think of us. Or perhaps as leaders it’s your own insecurity so you people please and your messages just don’t resonate  because you’re more concerned with what people think of you then you are with what the people are receiving or feeling or what they really need.

You must connect to people emotionally - communicate with energy, conviction, passion and with credibility. 

Having all the information or the knowledge is not enough. You’ll also need to find commonality or a common ground with whom it is you’re speaking. Get down to eye level for example. Being on the same level or common ground, you can help people feel safer, more in control, and more connected to you. 

People will trust you and follow your example if you genuinely focus on them, find a common ground with sincerity and show true interest in that other person.