THE ART OF LEADERSHIP
“A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished” is what the Bible says in Proverbs 22:3. Indeed, leaders are prudent men. The dictionary describes a prudent person as one who acts with care or shows care and thought for the future. These are all characteristics of a leader. A leader has an aim and shows utmost care in maintaining his aim and achieving it. All these are things for the future.
Things a leader should plan for
- Plan for the evils ahead.
There are some evils that will come whether you want them to or not. We all wish for only good things but the Bible cautions us on what to expect. Jesus promised that temptations would come. If they will come, we are better off being ready when they arrive. Are you a leader? Take note – there are some evils ahead!
Woe unto the world because of offences! For it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:7
Different things will come as the years go by. Betrayal will come. Temptations will come. Satanic attacks will come. Know that good times and bad times are sure to come. The marriage vows say: “For better or for worse, in prosperity and in adversity”. A real leader can virtually predict the ways things will go. Ask God for wisdom to see ahead. By wisdom, you can predict the future and be ready for it.
- Plan for the growth ahead.
And I say also unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Matthew 16:18
Jesus was warning His disciples about the attacks on the church. He was also asking His disciples to see the growth of His church ahead of time. What you are engaged in may be small now. But you must see the growth ahead! You will be far better off seeing the growth ahead and preparing for it than being confronted with that growth in your unprepared state!
For example, a true leader knows that the population is going to grow. This means that today’s facilities will not be adequate for tomorrow. This also means that we are going to need larger buildings and facilities. This further means that we will also need more workers. A leader, therefore, builds with the future in mind. He makes provision for the days, weeks, months and years ahead. Be a leader who trains people with the future in mind. Jesus predicted that His church would grow. He could see it coming!
Ghana’s first president saw many years ahead and built a huge hydroelectric dam for the nation. This dam produced electricity many times in excess of the needs of little Ghana then. He was seeing ahead! So can you! You can be that leader who can see growth ahead! You can be that leader who makes provision for this growth ahead of time. Open your eyes and see ahead! Know that things will get better and grow bigger as the years go by.
- Plan for the changes ahead.
You may be required to take certain measures in your life in order to deal graciously with the changes that will come in your physical body in the future. See that there will be changes in your physical body and make provision for them. Know that there will be changes in your physical body. You may not be a medical person but you can read about it or ask about it. Prepare yourself for these changes so that you are not the loser. Be a good leader of your body and take precautions now.
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them … Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:
Ecclesiastes 12:1, 5
See that you are going to grow and you will not be able to do the things you used to do anymore. See the changes ahead of you in technology, in knowledge and in innovations. Seeing ahead will deliver you from being caught unawares. Seeing ahead will help you prepare adequately. If you are a businessman, vary your operations so that your current line of business does not become obsolete. Dear leader, have the future in mind and direct your business and your work aright.
Culled from ‘The Art of Leadership’
theaol@ymail.com
By Dag Heward-Mills