The Task of a Leader

The Task of a Leader
Today is the day where America sets aside time to select its next leader. What are you looking for in a leader? What’s your definition of leadership? If you’re in a leadership position, then how do you lead? Do you have a vision and goal, or are you like a boat without a rudder – just wandering in the sea with no final destination. All good thoughts and questions to mull over in our lives. Below is an article I came across that will hopefully get your wheels turning…and will hopefully provide you with applicable next steps for in your work place, team, home, church and community.
Enjoy!
Nate

Personally, this is my favorite leadership quote, “The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.” By Henry A. Kissinger.

Similarly, another author states that, “Leadership is the ability to lead people to places they could not have gone without you.
This is leadership at its best. Leaders see ahead, leaders see things before others do. They are clear on their destination but, equally, they have innate ability to cast a vision.
If a leader was only clear on their goal or destination, which they may have great energy and zeal for it, but failed to have people buying into their vision, they are simply running alone.
By definition, leadership is others following you. People are following your lead. Leaders – lead.
So what does a leader need to possess if they are to lead well?
They must have the ability and gifting to cast a vision to the people they are leading. Clear communication is vital in any organization, church or family if people are to move forward.
Without a vision, people begin to drift into frustration, disappointment and apathy. Their desire of moving forward begins to wane and perish.
If you are a leader – On a scale of 1-10, (1 Poor – 10 Great) how would you rate your vision casting skills? Be honest with yourself – those whom you lead already know how good you are at this!
Leadership is the ability to lead people to places they could not have gone without you. Therefore your ability to lead and to lead well is vital for your team.
When you examine the great leaders of the past and present, you can see they had/have a strong vision which initially has been transmitted from a personal vision to a public vision for others to lean into.
A leader therefore:

• Knows the way
• Shows the way

BUT then:

• Calls people to the way
• Gains genuine commitment to the way

As John Maxwell says – Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less…
To go to new places, leadership is key. To be effective, a leader must also have the ability to balance a ‘No going back’ attitude as well as the ability of ‘reflective action.’
Peter Drucker puts it so well – Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.
The ability to reflect is very powerful. I have found that to be the case in my life. Sometimes a leader might have to re- chart their course to ultimately reach their goal or vision.
For instance when driving a car – you know where you want to get to; however, along the way you might meet a road block where you see a diversion sign. It does not mean you won’t get to your destination. You just may need to take a different route to get there.
This is the same with our leadership plans. There obviously will be some areas where you can change, but there also will be areas of principle you will not want to change.
There is much joy in leadership. True leadership is taking people to places where they could not have gone without you.

• Is this reflective in your leadership?
• Have you been able to lead your team to places they could not have gone without you?

Maybe the best thing you can do now, especially after a season of great energy and action, spend some time in quiet reflection. You can become even more effective in your leadership.
Consider the following:

• What ways could your leadership be even more effective?
• Are you running alone or are people following?
• Are you clear about where you want to lead people?
  
• Have you cast your vision with clarity to those around you?

Don’t forget – people buy into the leader’s heart before they buy into the leader’s vision." Link to Article
Song: Lead Me by Sanctus Real