What is Leadership: Introduction:

What images do you have in mind when you use the word "lead"? How do you see yourself in your future role as a leader? If the position is a prominent one, you will probably be tempted to attach to leadership some of the same features that popular culture attaches to it- glamour, toughness, power,wealth. You will see yourself as respected by your enemies,admired by your friends,and obeyed by your followers. You will, in short, want to savor the benefits of leadership before counting its costs.

I don't want to cool your ardor, but I do want you to understand what leadership is really about. W.C.H.Prentice said in the Harvard Business Review in 1961:"attempts to analyze leadership tend to fail because the would-be analyst misconceives his task. He usually does not study leadership at all. Instead he studies popularity, power, showmanship, or wisdom in long-range planning." So, from this observation, we can arrive at the following definition, as per Dr. John Haggai:
Leadership is the discipline of exerting special influence within a group to move it toward permanent beneficial goals that fulfill the group's real needs.

This has Three implications for you as a potential leader.
First, leadership is not the same as dominance. You don't force others to do what you want-you motivate them.
Second, you operate in the context of a group-a collection of individuals who share certain characteristics or interests and whose cohesion depends on unity of purpose. It is the ability to mobilize unity (often by visualizing goals invisible to others) which sets you apart as the leader.
Third, the goals you aim for must be high-quality goals. They must establish changes that are both beneficial and permanent, and enhance the future welfare of the group.

The importance of the definition is clear if you remember what happens to leadership once the restraints have been removed. Let's see the paradox of leadership as taught in the Bible. Nowhere in the N.T do we find any approval for the power-concept of leadership. The Lord Jesus is perfectly clear in that-
"...whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. and whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all"(Mark 10:43,44).

As the ultimate leader, Lord Jesus "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a servant" (Philippians 2:7) thus laying down a pattern of leadership for His disciples, which is totally at odds with the one commonly practiced in the secular world. In order to lead effectively, He says, you must regard yourself, in relation to your group, as a servant. Most mothers will relate to that! But even leaders of multinational corporations will see immediately in Jesus' words the close link in leadership between love and humility. Its a combination that is fatal to the ego but great for group cooperation.

So seek to serve to the maximum potential that lies in you and to the ability God gives you, to be an effective leader. Learn leadership as you would learn to play piano, and don't worry if it costs you time and effort. Just aim for mastery of the calling.

"For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." John 13:15.