How to Become an Extraordinary Leader

How to Become an Extraordinary Leader

“Everything rises or falls on leadership.” –Dr. Lee Robertson

Dr. Robertson recognized that growing churches are led by growing leaders. But this statement also applies to our families and businesses. It applies to leadership in any environment. “Everything rises or falls on leadership.” Therefore, becoming a better leader will have far-reaching effects in every aspect of your life.

Just what is a leader? Let’s clear up some misconceptions. A leader is not an office or position, a rule-maker, a speechmaker, a manager, an administrator or organizer, and not a spiritual gift. A leader may have some of all of these characteristics, but what characteristic does every leader have? A true leader is able to influence and relate to other people. He or she is able to persuade others to follow.

The type of leader found in the New Testament is one who touches all bases while building his or her followers and organization and reaching his or her objectives. There are eight basic laws of effective leadership: the laws of dreams, rewards, credibility, communication, accountability, motivation, problem-solving, and decision-making. A quick overview:

1. Dreams: People follow a leader who directs them to a desirable objective, so a leader must direct followers to a desirable objective. When people buy into your dreams, they buy into your leadership. Give them vision.

2. Rewards: People follow a leader who provides them rewards from their self-chosen goals, so the leader must reward those who follow him/her. The things that get rewarded, get done. Give them rewards.

3. Credibility: People follow a leader when they have confidence in his or her plans, so the leader must have a credibility plan to reach the objective. The leader who believes in his/her followers has people who believe in him/her. Give them confidence.

4. Communication: People follow a leader who effectively communicates his/her plan to reach the objective, so the leader must effectively communicate the plans to reach the objective. People follow a leader who gives clear directions to his/her followers. Give them clear direction.

5. Accountability: People follow a leader who gives them responsibility to help reach the objective, so the leader must know the contribution that his/her followers make to help reach the goal. People don’t do what you expect, but what you inspect. Involve them in the dream.

6. Motivation: People follow a leader who gives them compelling reasons to reach the object, so the leader must motivate followers to accomplish the objective. People follow you when you give them a reason to work. Give them compelling reasons to follow you.

7. Problem-solving: People follow a leader who gives solutions to problems that hinder them from reaching the objective, so the leader must solve problems that hinder followers from reaching their objective. The more barriers that frustrate your followers, the less likely they are to reach the goal. Give them solutions to their problems.

8. Decision-making: People follow a leader who gives answers to the decisions involving their objective, so the leader must make good decisions that move followers toward the objective. Leaders make good decisions on good information, bad decisions on bad information, and lucky decisions on no information. Give them decisive answers.

Ordinary people can learn to become extraordinary leaders following these principles.

© ChurchGrowth.org. To learn more about these leadership skills from a biblical perspective and discover how to become an extraordinary leader, see The Eight Laws of Leadership by Elmer Towns. In addition, other leadership resources are available from ChurchGrowth.org.