Influential Leadership

Leadership = influence.

Every leader has these two characteristics;

A: He is going somewhere

B: He is able to persuade others to go with him.

Influence by and in itself is not enough - the influence needs to be measured against it’s quality.

How do I examine the quality:

1 What is the level of influence? Do you have followers because of your: title: by their permission: because of production or personhood ?

2 Who influences the leader? Who are you following - People become like their role-models. Is your model ethical, what are his/her priorities?

3 Whom do you influence? The quality of the follower will indicate to the quality of the leader. Are they positive followers or mediocre `yes-men`?

Every leader must know where he is going. And every follower had better be sure he’s behind a leader who knows what he’s doing.

1Ki 3:7 "And now here I am: GOD, my God, you have made me, your servant, ruler of the kingdom in place of David my father. I'm too young for this, a mere child! I don't know the ropes, hardly know the 'ins' and 'outs' of this job. 8 And here I am, set down in the middle of the people you've chosen, a great people--far too many to ever count. 9 "Here's what I want: Give me a God-listening heart so I can lead your people well, discerning the difference between good and evil. For who on their own is capable of leading your glorious people?" ( msg )

Knowing yourself is crucial to your own development. Self-awareness is about knowing and understanding your own values, intentions, strengths and weaknesses. It is a deep understanding and commitment to learning and growth.

Lack of awareness and unwillingness to be influenced by others through feedback are two of the main reasons for personal failures. We are unwilling to listen to others’ feedback regarding our flaws. Willingness to listening to feedback from our supporters and our critics is the first step to self-awareness.

Mat 7:2 For with whatever judgment you judge, you shall be judged; and with whatever measure you measure out, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why do you look on the splinter that is in your brother's eye, but do not consider the beam that is in your own eye?

Self-leadership is about recognizing opportunities for growth, learning and gaining insights in your own life. Self-leadership is about educating yourself – it is a learning behaviour. How does one become truly self-leading?

There are a number of aspects to self-leadership:

Ø Personal values

Ø Intentions (knowing your purpose)

Ø Behaviour

Ø Vision Skills to recognize opportunities to contribute and to influence others to contribute.

2Ti 2:15 Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.

Continuously striving to develop your character and behaviours is the key to self-leadership. The willingness to develop from within, through a process of self-discovery and learning, creates the most powerful and lasting changes.

Gal 6:9 But we should not lose heart in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we do not faint.