Can You Become A Leader?

Numbers 13:2 KJV 1900

Send thou men, that they may search the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel: of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a ruler among them.

When Christ selected Leaders, He ignored every popular idea of His day about what kind of person could fit the role. Jesus’ band of disciples started out untrained and without influence - a motley group for world change.

Jesus chose from the ranks of workers, not professional clergy. When Hudson Taylor did the same thing, selecting mostly lay men and women for his missionary team to China, the religious world was shocked.

Jesus chose people with little education, but they soon displayed remarkable flair. He saw in them something no one else did, and under His skillful hand they emerged as leaders who would shock the world.

Natural leadership qualities are important. Too often these skills lie dormant and undiscovered. If we look carefully, we should be able to detect leadership potential. And if we have it, we should train it and use it for Christ’s work.

Some ways to investigate your potential:

• How do you identify and deal with bad habits? To lead others, you must master your appetites.

• How well do you maintain self-control when things go wrong? The leader who loses control under adversity forfeits respect and influence. A leader must be calm in crisis and resilient in disappointment.

• To what degree do you think independently? A leader must use the best ideas of others to make decisions. A leader cannot wait for others to make up his or her mind.

• How well can you handle criticism? When have you profited from it? The humble person can learn from petty criticism, even malicious criticism.

• Can you turn disappointment into creative new opportunity? What three actions could you take facing any disappointment? disappointment?

• Do you readily gain the cooperation of others and win their respect and confidence? Genuine leadership doesn’t have to manipulate or pressure others.

• Can you exert discipline without making a power play? Are your corrections or rebukes clear without being destructive? True leadership is an internal quality of the spirit and needs no show of external force.

• In what situations have you been a peacemaker? A leader must be able to reconcile with opponents and make peace where arguments have created hostility.

• Do people trust you with difficult and delicate matters? Your answer should include examples.

• Can you induce people to do happily some legitimate thing that they would not normally wish to do? Leaders know how to make others feel valued.

• Can you accept opposition to your viewpoint or decision without taking offense? Leaders always face opposition.

• Can you make and keep friends? Your circle of loyal friends is an index of your leadership potential.

• Do you depend on the praise of others to keep you going? Can you hold steady in the face of disapproval and even temporary loss of confidence?

• Are you at ease in the presence of strangers? Do you get nervous in the office of your superior? A leader knows how to exercise and accept authority.

• Are people who report to you generally at ease? A leader should be sympathetic and friendly. • Are you interested in people? All types? All races? No prejudice?

• Are you tactful? Can you anticipate how your words will affect a person? Genuine leaders think before speaking.

• Is your will strong and steady? Leaders cannot vacillate, cannot drift with the wind. Leaders know there’s a difference between conviction and stubbornness.

• Can you forgive? Or do you nurse resentments and harbor ill-feelings toward those who have injured you?

• Are you reasonably optimistic? Pessimism and leadership do not mix. Leaders are positively visionary.

• Have you identified a master passion such as that of Paul, who said, “This one thing I do!” Such singleness of motive will focus your energies and powers on the desired objective. Leaders need a strong focus.

• How do you respond to new responsibility?

• Do other people’s failures annoy or challenge you?

• Do you “use” people, or cultivate people?

• Do you direct people, or develop people?

• Do you criticize or encourage?

• Do you shun or seek the person with a special need or problem?

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Sanders Spiritual Growth Series) (p. 40). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Sanders Spiritual Growth Series) (p. 40). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Sanders Spiritual Growth Series) (p. 40). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Sanders Spiritual Growth Series) (pp. 39-40). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Sanders Spiritual Growth Series) (p. 39). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Sanders Spiritual Growth Series) (pp. 38-39). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Sanders Spiritual Growth Series) (p. 38). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Sanders Spiritual Growth Series) (p. 38). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Perhaps the final test of leadership potential is whether you “sit” on the results of such an analysis or do something about it. Desirable qualities were present in all their fullness in the character of our Lord. Each Christian should make it his constant prayer that Christlikeness might more rapidly be incorporated into his or her own personality.

REFLECTION:

How would you answer the title of this chapter?

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Sanders Spiritual Growth Series) (p. 41). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.

What was the most convicting, challenging, or surprising thought in the chapter?

Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer (Sanders Spiritual Growth Series) (p. 41). Moody Publishers. Kindle Edition.