Real Leadership

I was thinking about real leadership today. Real leadership is never given or taken it's always earned. When I was a kid I was in the Army, and there is one principle of leadership I learned that has stuck with me over the years. In the service you have to do things that are not always pleasant. I remember one time we had to walk 18 miles (ok, it wasn't uphill both ways.) The thing that made the walk tolerable was that our officers were right there walking beside us. They were carrying the same loads we were carrying. They were living out leadership not just talking about it. Long after we had reached our destination and us working folk were done for the day and free to relax, they were still working!

How is that a lesson in leadership. Simple! Never ask someone to do something that you're not willing to do first. Think about that one for a sec. Way to often people aspire to leadership because they think they can teach, sing, play an instrument, balance a checkbook, create a killer power point presentation, or whatever else they happen to be good at.

Real leadership is all about being a servant first. Are there times when leaders need to delegate? Without a doubt. In fact, I need to learn to delegate more so that I can be more effective but sometimes leadership means cleaning bathrooms, hauling equipment, listening to a story you've already heard, or holding a hand. Jesus was a great model of how a leader should think. His response about being put on a pedestal might surprise some. He told people that he came to serve them not to be served.

If you think you are being called into leadership that's awesome! Start by serving were you are. Use the gifts and talents God has given you to be a blessing to others. If you are called and have the ability to lead people will notice and people will follow.

Way to often us church types think leadership relieves of our duties to serve others. The reality is real leadership requires more humility, sacrifice, and service than just being a part of something. Much like the officers I saw living out leadership in the military we need more people willing to become servant-leaders.