When you think about the two words I chose for the title of this entry, you could potentially have the thought that they are contradictory. Leadership tends to call for someone to assert themselves, to set the direction. It calls for having an idea of where you and those following are going, and you have the ability to convey that sense to others and encourage them to come along with you. Leadership often means standing strong in the face of adversity, withstanding doubts, and other related factors such as this.
If this is the case, how can humility play a role in leadership then? We tend to think of humility as someone who doesn't insist on their way being the right way. Humility seems almost the opposite of being assertive. Humility looks to others and sees the value in them and places a high priority on valuing them. So it seems that leadership and humility simply are two diametrically opposite ideals.
I would suggest, though, that leadership is at its best when proper humility is observed in the one who dares to lead. Yes, the leader does assert himself/herself in the direction of where things are going, and the leader does have to stand strong in the face of adversity, facing doubts, answering questions. However, a truly effective leader will do these things while also listening to the ones who voice their questions, or who present the adversity. They don't see individuals who have questions or who present obstacles as voices to be silenced, but rather, as someone who is sharpening their conviction and thinking. They are willing to see the wisdom that others may present to them. They look to make sure that the direction they are going is both led by God and His Spirit, and at the same time, serving the needs of those they are called to serve. (As a side note, this also means that the leader isn't overly enamored with his/her own idea of what is right, and strives to get their way no matter the cost.)
In other words, the truly effective leader will work diligently to ensure that the direction they set is one that is truly serving others, as they have been called to lead and serve. Yes, it will require conviction. After all, if God has truly set that direction, the leader has to be sure of it. You can always figure out a leader who doesn't truly have conviction in the direction they are leading. However, the leader hones that conviction by spending time individually with people, seeking to discover if the direction is one that truly serves.
In the end, I believe you cannot be an effective leader without also having an abundance of humility.
If this is the case, how can humility play a role in leadership then? We tend to think of humility as someone who doesn't insist on their way being the right way. Humility seems almost the opposite of being assertive. Humility looks to others and sees the value in them and places a high priority on valuing them. So it seems that leadership and humility simply are two diametrically opposite ideals.
I would suggest, though, that leadership is at its best when proper humility is observed in the one who dares to lead. Yes, the leader does assert himself/herself in the direction of where things are going, and the leader does have to stand strong in the face of adversity, facing doubts, answering questions. However, a truly effective leader will do these things while also listening to the ones who voice their questions, or who present the adversity. They don't see individuals who have questions or who present obstacles as voices to be silenced, but rather, as someone who is sharpening their conviction and thinking. They are willing to see the wisdom that others may present to them. They look to make sure that the direction they are going is both led by God and His Spirit, and at the same time, serving the needs of those they are called to serve. (As a side note, this also means that the leader isn't overly enamored with his/her own idea of what is right, and strives to get their way no matter the cost.)
In other words, the truly effective leader will work diligently to ensure that the direction they set is one that is truly serving others, as they have been called to lead and serve. Yes, it will require conviction. After all, if God has truly set that direction, the leader has to be sure of it. You can always figure out a leader who doesn't truly have conviction in the direction they are leading. However, the leader hones that conviction by spending time individually with people, seeking to discover if the direction is one that truly serves.
In the end, I believe you cannot be an effective leader without also having an abundance of humility.
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