A leader is a dealer in hope. ~ Napoleon Bonaparte
A month ago, it wouldn’t have occurred to us that we would witness the entire world come to an abrupt halt. No matter where we are on the scale of opinion, this quarantine experience is surreal. However, I’ve walked through enough hardship in my life to know one thing is for certain–God knows how to take adversity and turn it into triumph. How does he do that? He raises up leaders.
“I looked for a man to stand in the gap.” (Ezekiel 22:30)
I read an article this morning written by Marcel Schwantes, entitled 4 Harsh Truths You Must Accept to Become a Better Leader. The subtitle reads, “Time to take a hard look in the mirror.” These are the 4 truths he says are crucial in leading effectively.
Truth No 1: Good leadership doesn’t happen without trust.
I have attached the article so you may read his assessment of each of these principles. However, for me, I have a very specific criteria when entrusting myself to leadership. I am not looking for perfection. There is no such thing as a perfect leader, and I run from those that present themselves this way. I’m looking for those that walk with a limp. Those that have allowed God to change them from the inside out. This limp is a reference to Jacob’s encounter with the Angel of the Lord. As he persistently wrestled with God, Jacob was determined to win the Lord’s blessing. He did in fact receive that blessing, but not in the way he might have imagined. God overtook his nature and changed him. As a reminder of that truth, the Angel of the Lord touched the socket of Jacob’s hip and he walked with a limp from then on. This is the path to true Kingdom leadership and until we have our own wrestling match with God, we hide behind perfectionistic behavior that self-protects at the expense of others. Most of us start from that perfectionistic position, but the leadership that I trust are those who have come to know themselves and have surrendered it all to God.
Truth No 2: Good leaders serve the needs of others.
Marcel Schwantes expounds on this thought by saying, “…servant leaders are people-centric, not egocentric. Their winning formula is to serve by shining the spotlight on others.” One of the blessings of this quarantine is watching people through social media outlets as they seek to serve others, encourage others, instill hope into others, and genuinely connect. That’s what leaders are born to do–offer solutions that lift people out of despairing situations.
Truth No 3: Good leaders “remove the mask.”
I can liken this idea to those I consider great writers. Good writers know how to craft words that draw in their audience. Great writers reveal the depths of their hearts in such a way that it speaks to the universal condition of mankind. There’s a difference. The same can be said for great leaders. If one leads from a set of leadership principles that have been taught in a second-hand manner without being forged in fire, that person may be sincere but lack authenticity. However, if one has learned hard lessons and freely shares those lessons from the heart, then wisdom is the foundation built upon. The leader then leads from a place of truth and humility.
Truth No 4: Good leaders set their people up for success.
Leadership is about replacing yourself. Leadership is about pouring into others what you have learned so that they can find success beyond you. Leadership is about believing in those entrusted to your care for a season so they might spread their wings and fly. Great leadership is about dying to oneself so that others might live. We have a model for that mindset, you know. His name is Jesus.
Isaiah says that God was looking for leaders in his day but found no one to help. By his own arm he worked salvation. (Is 63:5). Some of the most beautiful Messianic word pictures concerning the coming Messiah are found in the words of Isaiah. This leader he writes of will carry the government of the world upon his shoulders. (Is 9:6). However, it would take place in a way no one expected. He would willingly give himself up and then teach his disciples to do the same. How was this possible? Jesus deposited his very life into them through the power of the Holy Spirit. He was every bit the leader these four principles display–and more. His disciples loved and trusted him. He served those around him. He was authentic in his identity. And, he empowered his followers to successfully fulfill their mission.
During this time of quarantine, I am working on getting the next phase of my writing business in place. 8 Owls Publishing seeks to follow this model of leadership by helping you in your Kingdom writing endeavors. I believe we are entering a season of creativity designed for this media driven generation that will advance the Kingdom in ways that will astonish us. Our current crisis revealed the need for us to return to simpler ways. It’s as though we have been forced into a season of deep personal reflection. How did our lives change so quickly? What is my take on current events? What is essential to maintain and what has just kept my wheels spinning? Where am I in my relationship with God? Questions are being asked. And, I promise you, Father knows how to answer them.
And, what I know is that he answers questions by raising up leaders who will stand in the gap. Voices that Father can trust to tell the truth with love and compassion. Those who will serve others. Those who are willing to take off the masks and tell their redemption story to the ones who have yet to experience him. People who will take the lead who have a heart to see others flourish and succeed.
I will be offering a free group coaching session through Zoom for any writer who is ready to stand in the gap and bring heaven into the void. 8 Owls Publishing exists to help you be the leader God has called you to be. The written word has always been a dynamic force in altering history–whether that history is for a people group or for just one. Look for an announcement coming soon about the upcoming Zoom group coaching session.
What could God do with a company of writers committed to using their gift for the betterment of others? More than we could even think or imagine!
https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/4-harsh-truths-you-must-accept-to-become-a-better-leader.html
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