I want to be a good leader. I want to be an example to others, portray Christ, and build up the people I work with. We are first and foremost called to love others. That's it. Why is it so difficult to do? Christ gave us one goal. One. Everything flows from love, whether it's a good or bad thing. Good things flow from out love for Christ and others. Bad things tend to happen because we are loving ourselves more than Christ and others.
This is something I really struggle with. I'm a blunt person. Even if I mean something with love, it doesn't show. And that is a problem. When working on a team and being a leader of that team it is my job to get things done, but do so in an encouraging way. Christ didn't lead by beating his disciples with fishing nets. He lead with his lifestyle and how He interacted with others. Christ genuinely loved others. That was His goal.
Leading is done by serving. You cannot lead until you learn to follow. You also cannot forget how to follow once you start leading. It's very easy to get prideful and decide that you know how to lead better than anyone else. Even if you are a leader, or in charge of something, it's important to remember that you are still a follower. A follower of Christ.
Love is the goal. We need to love Christ, others, and then ourselves. When leading a team of any kind whether it's sports, worship, small group, or in a job; leadership is done by example and encouragement. Learn to love those you work with and the rest will follow. Love, not just because you're commanded, but because Christ loves you. What right do you have to not love others?
I suppose leadership at one time meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people.
-Gandhi
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant
-Matthew 20:26
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God
-1 John 4:7
