Leadership: what it means to me

Posted by Helen on: 11.03.2008 /

This post is part of a syncroblog on leadership. I’ve listed all the other posts in it at the end of mine. <

I think anyone can be a leader, whether they are in an official leadership role or not. To me being a leader is about character and behavior rather than what your title is.

I think of a leader as someone who takes initiative yet doesn’t act without considering others. If they’re in a situation where help is needed and they can help, they get involved rather than waiting for someone else to do it. If something needs to be said, they say it even if it rocks the boat.

According to the stories about him Jesus was a leader. When he said “follow me” I think he meant “follow me in being a leader” rather than “be a follower”. There’s a big difference. Leaders need to think carefully and exercise discernment because they can’t rely on being able to follow someone in front of them. Often they’re the one in front, figuring out which way to go.

It’s scary to be a leader, because when you go first you don’t know if anyone is actually going to follow you. You might end up having to go it alone. And even if people do follow, they don’t necessarily understand what you’re going through – what the burden of leadership entails. You could complain to them but leaders are restrained about what they share. They don’t take advantage of their followers by making sympathy bids.

Communities are easier to manage when there’s one leader and everyone else is a follower. Some churches seem to operate that way. But I don’t think it’s healthy. No (human) leader is infallible. It’s better for the whole community if any member who has questions or concerns is willing to voice them. And if the leader(s) make it safe for those people to say what they want to say.

Good leaders will make it safe, because leaders are listeners. And they’re humble enough to realize someone else without a leader title may have as good ideas and skills as they do. They don’t hold onto the power their title gives them but share it willingly with others. Leaders understand that they may well be training their own replacements. They give those people opportunities to learn and grow and take risks. When it’s time for the leaders to step aside and let those people lead, they happily do it.

We never know who is watching us and might be following us. Leaders don’t need to insist that people follow them. That will happen naturally because others will be inspired by watching them.

I want to be a leader because the world needs people who are willing to get involved and do their best to make things happen.

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