The Art of Leadership
As we begin a new year with our New Year resolutions, we also have expectations of our leaders.
Would it not be a great idea, as a leader, to invest in yourself so that your profiting may appear to all as you go through this new year?
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 4:16
A leader ought to take heed unto himself in diverse ways. Often, leaders are so busy looking out for others that they tend to neglect themselves. But a time comes when a leader looks to himself to get adequately equipped for the future. It is a sure way of preparing for tomorrow. Every leader who invests in himself will ensure that he remains the leader.
Why Every Leader Must Invest in Himself
- A leader must invest in himself because of the law of deterioration.
This law says that everything is decaying naturally. Nothing on earth stays in a healthy original condition for long. Take a look at a newly built house. Everything looks so beautiful about the house. However, if no one lives in it and nothing is done in it or about it, this new house will start to deteriorate. The new house will start to fall apart! This is why the Bible warns that the crown (your leadership position) is not guaranteed forever.
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
Proverbs 27:23,24
You must invest in yourself to get better and better. Otherwise, you will soon discover that you are no more suited to your role.
- A leader must invest in himself because of the law of staying one step ahead.
There is no leadership unless you are a step ahead. You must be ahead to lead those who follow. A leader who is a step ahead is sure of being called a leader. I am constantly investing in myself in order to stay at least one step ahead of my followers. Without doing this, I would actually fall out of my position.
- A leader must invest in himself because of the law of taking care of yourself before you can take care of someone else.
Whenever there is any problem on a plane, adults are instructed to take care of themselves before taking care of their children. Paul said the same thing. There is no way you can save others unless you save yourself. A doctor cannot attend to others if he is sick. The blind cannot lead the blind.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 4:16
Ways Every Leader Can Invest in Himself
- Read the Bible and Christian books every day.
In 1986 I travelled to London as a student. I bought one thing for myself – a special reference Bible. I used up all my meagre student’s allowance to invest in myself. I have never regretted that investment.
…but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap…
Galatians 6:8
Read books about things you do not know and you will be amazed at how much you will learn by yourself. If you are diligent, the hours spent reading will be equivalent to several semesters of lectures at the university.
- Attend seminars, conferences and church services. Do you want to become a better person? The new information that you come by in these seminars, conferences and churches services will serve you well by making you a better person.
- Build up a personal library of books and tapes. It will give you a wealth of knowledge to draw from. It is said that a book is a patient teacher. Get books you need to gain knowledge in particular areas and patiently study them.
Indeed, it would be a great idea, as a leader, to invest in yourself so that you can save yourself as a leader!
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1 Timothy 4:16
As we begin this year, please make it your aim to be a better person by investing in yourself.
You can do so by making certain books your friend. You can enroll in online or distance programs. You can also attend seminars. By all means, do something to improve yourself this year! And may this be a great year in which we also utilize the many new things we learnt last year in our new circumstances! May God be our help in this new year!
theaol@ymail.com
By Dag Heward-Mills