Read Proverbs Chapter 29 The Law of Influence
John Maxwell said, influence is the true measure of leadership.
If a person doesn’t have influence, he’ll never be able to lead others, because no one will follow him. “He who thinks he leads, but has no followers, is only taking a walk.”
People often misconceive leadership in 5 ways. John Maxwell called them the 5-Myths.
1. Management Myth
Management focuses on maintaining systems or processes. Leadership is to influence people to follow.
2. Entrepreneur Myth
Sales and Entrepreneurs can persuade people for a moment. Leadership can holdlong-term influence.
3. Knowledge Myth
IQ doesn’t equate to leadership. Many scientists and university professors could think so high, but they may not be leaders.
4. Pioneer Myth
Being the first isn’t always the same as leading. Anyone that is out of the crowd is a leader.
5. Position Myth
It’s not the position that makes the leader, it’s the leader that makes the position.
When people find someone has an impressing title or a signed leadership position, they assume he is a leader. Titles don’t have much value when it comes to leading. True leadership can’t be awarded, pointed or assigned. It comes only from influence. We all influence someone, either good or bad.
John Maxwell mentioned the story of Princess Diana, which I think it exactly emphasized this point.
When Princess Diana married to Prince Charles, she was painfully shy and totally overwhelmed by all the attention. However, she kept adjusting to do her new role. She traveled around, represented the royal family in various functions and built many important relationships with politicians, organizers and entertainers. At first, she was simply a spokesperson. But as time went by, her influence increased. Even after she divorced Prince Charles, she lost her title, but that loss didn’t at all diminish her impact. Instead, her influence outweighed her former husband and in-laws. Even in death, Diana continued to influence others. Her impact didn’t come because she once had a title. She made things happen because she was an influencer.
Leadership is influence.
We are all leaders to some extent. Even if you do not think so, you are a leader. In your home, workplace, civic organization, or church you are leading someone. How are you leading when you line your leadership up with God’s Word?
1. Attitudes (Proverbs 29:2)
When good leaders rule, people rejoice; when the wicked reign, people groan.
2. Stability (Proverbs 29:4)
When moral leaders rule, they establish justice; compromising leaders tear things down.
3. Compassion (Proverbs 29:7)
Good leaders express concern for the poor; bad leaders reflect no compassion for anyone.
4. Honesty (Proverbs 29:12)
When leaders pay attention to lies, their followers believe the same deception.
5. Discipline (Proverbs 29:18)
Where there is no discipline, chaos reigns.
How are you leading in your home? Your workplace? Your school? Your church?
