Three Leadership Qualities – Part 3

Before reading this be sure to read Part 1 and Part 2

This is the last section and probably the most important quality in Christian leadership. You can be the most competent leader in your field. You can act with integrity more than anyone else. But, if you don’t display concern for the well-being of others then your leadership status with others crumbles. This may not be true for all types of leadership but it is true for Christian leaders. Let me break it down for you…

Display Concern for the Well-Being of Others

Display – make a prominent exhibition of something where it can be easily seen by others (dictionary definition). We are on display for the world to see. If you haven’t noticed, people love to talk bad about Christians. They love to point out our flaws, as if we are to be perfect. Leaders are in the light even more. Your attitude and your actions are on display whether you want them there or not. Everyone is looking to you since you are the leader.

Concern – A matter of interest or importance to someone; to involve oneself in the life of another. You can’t fake this. To be concerned about someone means you have to go out-of-the-way for that person. You have to care for them. I think of Robin Williams’ suicide the other day and how many thousands more we never hear about. They probably didn’t feel like anyone showed any concern for them. Being concerned about someone is genuine. It is taking out of your own life and time and priorities to see about someone else.

Well-being – A state of being comfortable, healthy, and happy. We always want to make sure we are in this state. But, how often do we care if someone else is in this state? Being comfortable means we aren’t anxious. Being healthy means we aren’t sick. Being happy means we aren’t sad or depressed. This is a lot of work just for ourselves. How much more time and effort do you think it takes to care for someone else’s well-being?

Others – Used to refer to a person or thing that is different or distinct from one already mentioned or known about. That is, someone other than yourself. We already love ourselves. Why not love others too.

You put all this together and it seems like a monumental task. And, it is. Being unselfish is the hardest thing you can ever do in this world. Caring about others is draining and time-consuming. “My commandment is this – to love one another just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this – that one lays down his life for his friends.” John 15:12

Look at Yourself

Leaders must be willing to sacrifice their lives for their friends. Their friends would be anyone who they are leading. Do really display concern for the well-being of others? Do you go out of your way to make sure those you lead are okay? Do you take time out of your day for people other than yourself? Would you drop everything for someone in pain that needs help? Robin Williams death should remind all of us to look at those around us and care for them. Show them the love of God in us. You may be the most charismatic and qualified leader in the world. But, without love, everything you do is fruitless (1 Cor. 13:2).

I realize I didn’t share many Bible quotes on leadership. So, next week I will have a blog post with nothing but Bible verses that relate to leadership.