How to be a good leader

yinka ogunlami

June 25, 2016 11:24 PM

“Teach the wise, and they will become even wiser; teach good people, and they will learn even more.”

Praying black woman

Memory Verse: Proverbs 9:9 – “Teach the wise, and they will become even wiser; teach good people, and they will learn even more.”

The Word for Today devotional by United Christian Broadcasters (UCB) says

Whether God has called you to be a leader in church, in business, or at home, here are two important principles you must always practice:

1. Reach for people who stretch you. Solomon said, ‘Teach the wise, and they will become even wiser.’ You can tell a lot about the direction your life is heading by looking at the people with whom you’ve chosen to spend your time and share your ideas.

Their values and priorities impact the way you think and act. If they’re positive and dedicated to growth, their values and priorities will encourage you and reinforce your desire to grow. It’s not always comfortable to associate with people who are ahead of you in their growth, but it’s always profitable.

So try to cultivate relationships with people who stretch you. And don’t think only in terms of what you can gain; bring something to the table yourself. Remember, you’ve got to make the relationship a win/win, or it won’t last.

2. Realize there are tradeoffs. As responsibilities increase, rights decrease. In a world where perks and privileges often accompany the climb to success, sometimes little thought is given to the responsibilities of the upward journey.

As John D. Rockefeller Jr once said, ‘Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty.’ Jesus bottom-lines leadership in these words: ‘To whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more’ (Luke 12:48 NKJV).

yinka ogunlami