Effective leaders respond to matters of the heart and spirit and are moved by compassion when one of their employees is hurting.
Effective leaders understand and accept the nature of authority, and they know what submission is all about, as they must recognize other leaders who also have authority.
Effective leaders invest trust in those under their authority, and great leaders display great faith in their people.
Effective leaders know whom to trust, but trust is only as useful as the trustworthiness of the one in whom it is placed. Faith is wondrous when invested in the right person.
LEADERSHIP BASED ON BLIND FAITH, EITHER IN OTHERS
OR IN A SYSTEM, IS FOOLHARDY…
In light of these observations…
- Do you rely too much on your own competence, or do you honestly assess your strengths and weaknesses?
- Do you respond to people only in terms of facts, or are you sensitive to the feelings and unexpressed needs of others?
- Are you willing to be in charge but unwilling to submit?
- In whom do you place faith? Are you a person holding a position of authority or a person of authority? If so, then let your authority be a function of who you are and not what you have learned.
Are you willing to meet and work with people on their terms and in their arena, or must everyone come to you and play by your rules?