What Leaders Do

How would you define leadership?  In Developing the Leader Within You, John Maxwell states, “Leadership is influence” (pg. 1).  All of us influence people around us and at the same time are influenced by others.  Perhaps the most important question is how are we influencing others – for their good or their harm?  If leaders view their followers as the means to their own personal gain, then their influence over their followers will be minimized greatly.  Their followers will perceive that they are simply being used.  Effective leaders seek the best interests of their followers, and they demonstrate genuine concern for their followers well-being and success.

How do we earn the right to influence?  First, leaders have to be put in the position to lead.  In many cases, this simply means being hired into a certain job position that has inherent leadership responsibilities.  With each position comes a degree of authority, but authority alone will not produce the power to influence others.  Leaders who fail to effectively communicate and express genuine respect and regard for their followers will find that their followers will in turn have little respect or regard for them as leaders.  Both morale and productivity will plummet.  Leaders who rely solely on the authority of their position will feel insecure and use intimidation to motivate their followers. As followers sense this insecurity, it is likely that they will seek to do the bare minimum to get by in their work. 

How can leaders avoid this trap?  They have to purpose in their hearts to demonstrate genuine concern for their followers.  As leaders faithfully show that they truly care about their followers, reciprocity will ensue.  Their followers will want to see their leaders succeed.  Effective leaders invest time in helping their followers develop their own abilities and leadership skills. They empower others to reach their full potential.  While they seek to know all of their followers, they look for those who are real influencers and help them develop and train others to be influencers as well.  As leaders consistently prove their genuine concern for developing their followers to be leaders as well, they will gather even more followers because of their proven character.  It may take a long time to reach this level of influence, but the rewards of seeing those they have mentored in turn mentor others is priceless.