Introduction
Yesterday, I shared some thoughts from the outstanding book, Relational Authority: Authentic Leadership, written a few years back by my friend, Clay Nash. I had the privilege of writing the foreword for this insightful book. Clay effectively points out MANY important principles of leadership and authority.
I’m going to share a few more insights from Clay’s book today: nine important traits of excellence regarding leadership. You would be wise to pick up this book. Today’s title is:
Relational Authority: Authentic Leadership - Part 2
1. Forerunner A leader is a person who moves ahead first. Therefore, true leaders are forerunners.
“Where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:20)
A forerunner is actually a Greek nautical term. When a ship got close to the shore, the forerunner would get out of the ship with a weighted rope and swim towards the shore, sounding the depth so the captain would know how close he could come to shore without running aground. Now, this could be pretty hazardous duty, especially at night or when the surf was rough. If the ship got in at midnight in stormy weather, it could be deadly. But the essence of the forerunner’s job was to determine suitable depth for the safety of the ship, not unlike spiritual leadership determining how much “depth” exists to safely move the organization. As such, a forerunner is a balancing force, mediating between the thrashing waves driving the ship towards a hazardous shore and the need to stabilize with an anchor.
2. Motivator A leader motivates others for a certain purpose or goal. True leaders can take a group of people to a place they might not desire to go and cause them to discover that they have a purpose there.
The key to motivating people in less-than-desirable directions is to help them discover the purpose in being there. The thought of entering a crack-infested neighborhood is initially intimidating, threatening, and even repulsive. But the vision of saving the distraught souls caught in the web of drugs, violence, and death is inspiring to anyone inhabited with God’s redeeming nature. A leader blesses the people with the vision they need to move out into new and challenging territory. We tend to overcome our initial reluctance when we see God’s plan in a situation and when we trust the people who are leading us.
3. Attracts People Leaders attract and direct people to a certain course of action through persuasion, charisma, and example. And while the first two are important, it is the example set by the leader that seals the deal. I can be swayed by a powerful appeal; I can be drawn by personal magnetism. But when I encounter a leader willing to inhabit the same trenches that he or she is calling me to occupy, I know I have found someone worth following. I will listen to persuasion, I will notice charisma, but I will follow example…
4. Direction and Structure A leader gives directions and structure to others’ work and effort. Wise leaders do a lot of consulting with the people under them before ever taking action - they have to ask a lot of questions to learn what is truly going on before attempting to reorganize it.
The deciding factor in true leadership is getting others on board with change, especially if that change affects their lives. It is not pleasant to face a group of people with a new plan if these people feel threatened by the plan. A true leader knows how to enlist others and can show them the benefits of embracing the changes.
5. Coordinates Ideas A leader recognizes and coordinates other people’s ideas, bringing diverse outlooks together into a fully functioning critical mass. Everybody sees life from a unique perspective, and each viewpoint has merit - even the unusual ones. Especially the unusual ones.
6. Leads In Life A leader leads in all facets of life - he lives a life of holiness to the Lord that others may know and follow. Poor leaders think it is acceptable to lead in one area but ignore consecration in other areas of their personal lives. Yet the gold standard of true leadership is personal integrity as well as outward integrity. I am not saying a leader must be excellent at everything; everyone has areas of life stronger than others. But in all areas of life, we must be answerable to inquiry and accountability. A leader’s life is an open book, as much as some would like to ignore this fact. We cannot lead without revealing much about ourselves and our lives.
7. Instructs and Corrects A leader carries the authority to lead others by instruction and correction… Leading in correction is never easy, but it is vital. Imagine a ship with a fixed rudder. Without the ability to make course corrections, the ship is vulnerable to any current or wind that comes along. If we, as an organization - as a body - are to more accurately follow our Lord, then course corrections must become the norm. A leader’s job is to administer these in ways that bring life and fulfillment to all concerned.
8. Faces Own Faults A secure leader who has faced his own weaknesses will give the people under him the freedom to make mistakes. Some of the greatest discoveries in life are made while trying to do something and failing initially. People sometimes set out to do one thing, only to discover something greater in the process, even if it is simply the folly of their ways.
Naturally, I want the people under me to avoid the pitfalls and mistakes I have made in developing my leadership skills, but I know this is not entirely possible. They will find ways to make new and novel mistakes that I never dreamed of! Such is the process we are engaged in.
9. Vulnerability A leader is vulnerable, developing relationships with those they lead. We cannot lead without depending on others. The relationship between the leader and subordinates is a true symbiotic relationship; each needs the other. Without a vision, the people perish. Yet, without a people, the leader is just out for a walk.
My Comments John Maxwell says, “The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails.”(1) All of us should desire to be more effective leaders, whether in a home, a classroom, a business, or a Bible study. These principles, and many others found in this insightful book, will, without a doubt, aid us in this.
Pray with me:
Father, too often those in leadership lead only from the safety of their desks, not the trenches. Jesus, God in the flesh, demonstrated true leadership by serving humankind on dusty roads, in crowded markets, on storm-tossed boats, and a rugged Cross. He came not to be served, but to serve, laying down His life for all (Matthew 20:28).
We ask for more servant-leaders to be raised up in this hour. Men and women who walk in great authority and true humility. Miracle workers and foot-washers, great teachers and sincere listeners. Teach us that we go high by bowing low; our authority increases as our need for greatness decreases. Give us leaders with servant hearts in our churches and in our governments, in our homes and in our schools. May we lead by example, modeling Your heart as we lay down our lives daily.
And in closing, we remember to call forth the harvest of the ages. We will never stop doing so. Bring it! Turn up the heat, intensify the fire of revival. In Jesus’ name we cry out. Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that servant-leaders are on the increase, and that this will produce great leaders.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
Today’s post was taken from the book Relationship Authority: Authentic Leadership written by Clay Nash. You can learn more about Clay at ClayNash.org.