The Leadership Account - Part 2

Now that you have created your T-account for Leadership, we need to start making some entries into that account.

Today’s entries will be based on things we need to add to the account. Remember, Leadership is an asset account, and we are adding these to the account. So, these will be debits.

As a context for us, I would like you to read what I call “the Legacy Leadership passage” in Paul’s 1st letter to the Thessalonians 1: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-2:12

“For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed--God is witness-- nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority.

But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."

As I read this account I see several positive characteristics that need to be added to our leadership account:

Sensitivity to Needs: Legacy Leaders are aware of the needs of their constituents and work hard so as not to add to their burden. This awareness is possible because Legacy Leaders are “among you.” There aren't barriers and a great deal of distance between the leader and those they are leading.

Sincere Affection for People: Legacy Leaders are genuinely interested in the people they serve through their leadership. Paul was a rough and tumble kind of guy, yet he was totally transparent in his affection for these people. In contrast to the many macho pseudo-leaders we see today, Paul was comfortable displaying the gentleness and “fond affection" that characterizes a “nursing mother tenderly caring for her own children.”

Authentic Engagement: Because Paul was among the Thessalonians, he could call on them as character witnesses of the type of life he lived because they saw him up close and personal. He not only shared the gospel with them, but his own life as well. This is a great picture of the vulnerability with which Legacy Leaders interact with the people they lead.

Enthusiastic Encouragement: Legacy Leaders are intensely intentional in helping people grow and become all that God designed them to be. Like a father, Paul was encouraging, exhorting, and imploring “each one” of the Thessalonians.

This tells me he was actively involved with each individual and customized his approach to meet their specific needs. Yet, he was always clearly focused on his intent: “so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory."

This demonstrates the definition of Legacy Leadership: Legacy Leadership is intentional influence that takes place in the context of a relationship.

Can you book these characteristics in your Leadership Account?