Basic HTML Version
How to
Build
LEADERSHIP
Why do
so
few know the real secrets to leader–
ship? Why do
so
many lack
a
deep sense of
fulfillment in their jobs and in day-to-day life?
G
ET OUT of your cut and LIVE!
Get out of your cut and
Jead
and
accompliJh!
Needed: Right !Gnd of Leaders
There are two kinds of "leaders."
One is the kind who uses "authority"
and compels grudging obedience by
his followers. The other kind inspires,
persuades, and sets an e.xample.
The authoritarian-type leader gener–
ally considers only himself and the
grandeur he hopes to produce in his
empire, nation or business. He does
not give proper consideration to the
legitimate needs, wishes and aspira–
tions of his followers. But the right
kind of leader leads in order to SERVE.
Whicb kind will
yo11
be?
Jesus Christ, who brought a message
about world government, showed that
the greatest leader will be the
servant
of those whom he heads. He described
how the leaders of the Gentiles - the
strutting dictators and czars- "exercise
dominion" over thei r followers and
strut about to "exercise authority" over
them. "But," He said, "It shall not be
so among you: but whosoever will
be great among you, let him be your
minister; and whosoever will be chief
28
by
Rode rick
C.
Meredith
among you, let him be your SERYANT''
(Matthew 20:26-27).
The Desire to
SERVE
Comes First
AlJ
too often, men desire positions
of leadership and responsibility pri–
marily for the sake of exalting self –
not for sen•ice. This is a great mistake,
and often Jeads to grievous harm
and unl1appiness not only for the
incüviduals involved but for many
others. Jesus said: "For whosoever
exalteth himself shall be abased; and
he that humbleth himself shall be
exalted" (Luke
14:11).
If
one humbles himself to serve
his fellowman, he may find that, in
due time, he has become a leader be–
cause of his desire and ability to help.
One of my friends of college days
voluntarily took upoo himself the
lowly task of emptying the garbage
from thc dormitory kitchcn. Even in
his senior year, as a student instructor,
he continued this practice until it was
noticed by the college president who
thought it better that sorne other
regular studeot be given this re–
sponsibility. This individual was try–
ing to serve - and now, interestingly
enough, has a far greater opportunity
to serve as dean of the collegc!
What is the point?
The point is that he was alcrt
enough to see a genuine need and to
try to fill that need - even though it
was a lowly job of service. His initia–
tive and imagination displayed itself
in far more important and interesting
ways than this specific illustration out–
lines, but the important fact here
is that he was wiiJing to exercise his
initiative and use it to serve in this
lowly capacity- not just to exalt the
self! "He that humbies himself
shall
be
EXALTED."
This spirit of
h11m;/ity-
this desire
to
.rerve
-
and the spirit of selfless
dedication to a cause is the founda–
tional approach to all true leadership.
The man who is willing to
sacrifice
himself
to the task at hand is the one
whose followers will be most inspired
and who will most quickly tend to
emulate their leader. For he is lead –
ing by sacrifice and service. He is
leading by EXAMPLE.
Importance of Vision,
Imagination, and a Goal
Every great leader must possess at
least a certain degree of imagination
and
vision.
He must be able to think
PlAIN TRUTH
June
1972