Posted on January 7, 2010 - by Larry

What is leadership?

What is leadership?

I remember first being asked this question when I was just out of seminary. I am sure it was in a John Maxwell book. I wish I could have a dollar for each time someone has started the leadership topic out with that question. I guess I would be paying myself a dollar today. smile.

I have always hung on to the definition that leadership is influence.  This Christmas season I started brainstorming about some potential blog posts and decided I have some posts that I would like to write regarding leadership. I am not an expert on this. In fact I feel rather arrogant actually making  it a category on my blog.

In reality, I have had a lot of experience in this area.

Some good and some bad.

I have made  my share of mistakes. I will make more for sure.

Over the years I have had the opportunity to lead at various levels. Here is the one thread that runs through all of my experiences. Leadership is all about being able to influence people. It is less about position though in most churches and organizations we have made position the key factor.

If leadership is influence then I think we need to take seriously a few traits in ourselves such as our

• character
• skill to get the job done
• ability for  others to trust us
• honesty
• reliability
• being a person of vision and faith
• being a possibility thinker
  

If people are going to follow you regardless of position then there are characteristics that need to be present in your life. I hope these things can be said of me. If not then as  saying goes …. “He who thinks he is a leader and no one is following is only taking a walk. I am quite certain that I heard that from Maxwell as well.

More soon.