Your life has an influence.
Although we may not serve as a CEO or executive in a corporate setting, each of us, lead. Parents, professors, plumbers, pastors, priests, parishioners, and politicians lead.
Your job, title, or position does not qualify you to lead:
Leadership is developed in discipleship.
As a disciple (a follower) we’re taught by our mentor – not only how, but why we lead: To influence others so that they might impact people of whom we may never meet.
The critical question is: How are we influencing others by our leadership?
A young man by the name of Tim was a disciple of Paul. Paul encouraged Tim not to allow his youthfulness to deter (or delay) him from leading. Paul reinforced to Tim the importance of character:
“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith in purity.” [1]
Tim’s mentor also admonishes him to:
“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.” [2]
Paul understands: Flawed character will always undermine our speech. To influence others for good requires us to align our words with our conduct.
It seems that a lot of people today are insisting on being heard: From Facebook to Committee Hearings; from prophets to politicians! Is it possible that our speeches might be heard if our conduct wasn’t so loud?
Effective leadership pays close attention to one’s conduct so that our words can be heard.
So, how’s your leadership? Here’s the good news…
Whether we’re young or old, it’s never too late to pay close attention to our character.
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Ti 4:12.
[2] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), 1 Ti 4:16.