The Art of Leadership By Dag Heward-Mills
Every leader must accept that there are times he is alone in his decisions, in his ways and in his challenges. There is often no one who can understand a leader because no one is in his position! To be a leader is to be alone many times! To be a good leader, you must also learn to be alone when you have to be alone.
- Jesus was alone when he went to pray a great while before day. Many times as a leader, you will have to spend time alone to ponder over issues and to pray. This is the mark of a leader and was very much associated with Jesus when He was on earth.
And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35
- Jesus was alone when He went into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. You may have to take some decisions that will make you unpopular. You may have to go through some trials as a leader. Remember that it is part of the making of a good leader.
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, being 40 days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
Luke 4:1-2
- Jesus was alone when he went up to the mountain to pray and choose his disciples. Decisions! Decisions! Decisions! Decisions usually come with making different choices. Jesus went to the mountains to pray and also to choose the ones He would name His apostles. You may have to decide, alone, whom you will work with closely.
Do not hesitate when the time comes to do this. It is the work of a leader to walk this road. And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose 12, whom also he named apostles
Luke 6:12-13
- Jesus was alone when he was witnessing to the woman of Samaria. A leader may have to do some aspects of his work alone. Jesus did this when He met the woman of Samaria. He did the work of teaching and training her to be an evangelist too. This is the law of succession in action; committing what you know to others who are also able to teach others. Every good leader will go through that many times. A good leader leaves a legacy. He leaves a person or persons who can do the same things he did. May you be known for the people you trained enough to be as good as yourself!
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, give me to drink. (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.)
John 4:7-8
- Jesus was alone when he was been beaten by the Chief Priest and the elders. Difficulties come to every leader. These are times the leader is or feels forsaken. Many leaders have to face a number of difficulties all alone. When you come to this point as a leader, know that it is not unusual for a leader to face this situation. Be encouraged that when you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, the Lord is with you. He will help you and you will have victory.
Then the high priest tore his robes, saying, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy; what do you think?” They answered and said, “He is deserving of death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him,”
Matthew 26:62-67 (NASB)
Do you realize how Jesus, the greatest leader of all time, was alone many times? “And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, HE WAS THERE ALONE” (Matthew 14:23). Do not let this discourage you! Because leaders are alone in their challenges, they are often alone in their victories. This is one of the reasons why leaders earn far more than anyone else.
Develop this ability of being able to be alone and work alone, when necessary. It may be one of your strongest points as a leader. You will be able to take those necessary life changing decisions with great conviction. You will be steadfast. And you will be able to stand boldly to defend your choices!
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