The Skill of Leadership

Are leaders born or are they made?

I believe some are born, but more are made. Leadership is a skill and we can grow it, develop it, and enhance it in our lives. This gives equal opportunity for leaders so that they can grow and get better, no matter what ability they have or don’t have. 

Too many times we look at what we don’t have and what others do have and disqualify ourselves. 

But God doesn’t do that. 

He sees what we don’t see and has a plan that’s beyond our ability. God does what we can’t do. Our part is to develop the skill of leadership and give God something to work with.

This is so important to know as leaders; God doesn’t make us do anything and success is not guaranteed. We must choose God and choose growth every day. From this ongoing decision comes the development of our leadership skills.

God shows us his priority for leadership and he includes it with other gifts for the church.

“Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.”

1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭28‬

Notice that leadership is listed with miracles, healings, teachers, and more. This is not a lesser gift or an automatic one. It’s developed and of great value to God and his church.

Therefore, our choice to develop the skill of leadership impacts people, churches, cities, and more. We have a part to play we have to take responsibility for what we’re called to do and grow the skill of leadership.

So, here’s how we do this.

1st – We choose growth. 

This requires humility, learning new things, and growing past ourselves. If this was easy then everyone would grow, but they don’t. This shows us that growth is beyond acumen, it’s a heart decision that is linked to humility. 

When we choose growth we’re admitting we don’t know it all, we don’t have it all and we need others. We lay down insecurities and reach for more. We choose growth!

Growth is linked to our destiny in Jesus. It’s linked to the full potential and the breakthrough God has for us. 

What will you choose? I hope it’s growth. It’s worth it.

2nd – We choose leaders.

When we develop the skill of leadership we choose other leaders to be in our lives. 

This means we ask questions, we’re a part of what they’re doing and we serve them. We get out of ourselves and expand our view. This takes intentionality and consistency to have these connections. 

We pursue them and we don’t take things personally. We seek out leaders who are beyond us and from this, we grow.

Leaders need leaders. This is how we grow and develop the skill of leadership. So, we walk through the awkwardness and internal tension and reach for more.

Who are you connected to?

Whoever is around you, is a reflection of where you’re going.

Choose strength, choose growth, and choose leaders.

3rd – Third, we do leadership push-ups.

I’ve written on this before but it’s worth repeating.

Leadership push-ups are our rhythm for growth. 

This is the podcasts we listen to, the books we read, the relationships we have, and the attitudes we develop.

What we take in is what we give out. So, if we’re feeding ourselves with the right things, the right stuff will come out. If not, we’ll be stuck and those around us will be stuck. 

Are you doing leadership push-ups?

This is the daily and weekly diet of leadership fuel to help us develop the skill of leadership. 

When our diet is right, our leadership will be right, healthy, and growing.

I encourage you to have a plan for your leadership push-ups. This helps with consistency on the days. We don’t feel like it and gives us a target. Focus on what we’re to do on a daily basis. This is what I do and it helps me stay on track.

Take time for yourself and get a plan! God will move through it and help you develop the skill of leadership. 

God has great things for you and the best is yet to come,

PD