Influencing, Motivating & Maximizing Others 

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.

Colossians 3:23-24

What Is Leadership?

The outworking of leadership will be different for each of us and in accordance with our unique callings from God. And it may change based on various seasons of our life. There are times when God may ask us to hold a formal leadership position. There may be other times in life when we are in softer places of leadership and influence. 

In leadership, as in life itself, Jesus is our ultimate example. He urges us to... 

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:29–30

Leadership is ...

• The position or office of a leader
• The capacity or ability to lead
• The act of providing guidance and direction
• The calling of God on a person

Leadership can ... 

• Encourage people to work together
• Keep a group focused on a specific goalInspire a group to achieve higher impact than would be possible individually
• Help people realize, experience, and enjoy all that God has planned for them

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” 

(Romans 8:28)

What Characterizes Successful Leadership?

The characteristics of successful leadership are many and varied. Leadership is not a static element—in other words, it is not like working in a laboratory where the same results occur from any given test. Rather, leadership is cultivated by working with people and requires the understanding and wisdom of God in how to best help the group achieve all that God has in store for them. 

Successful leaders develop a depth of insight through experience and training...

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.”

(Colossians 1:9) 

What Is a Cycle of Christian Leadership?

The Christian Leader...

• Receives a calling from God 
• Reveals God’s possible plan for the people
• Resolves to help others envision the 
• fulfillment of God’s plan for themRelieson the Holy Spirit to delineate the new mission
• Rallies the people to move forward to accomplish the new mission

Effective Leadership

(This is an acrostic of the word Real.)

Relational

Leaders realize that relationships built with those they lead form the basis on which they move forward in accomplishing the goals or tasks that God has given them. Each relationship is forged on a foundation of trust and integrity. 

Expectations 

Communication is the lifeline to leadership. Unspoken or poorly communicated expectations can quickly lead to conflict, and unresolved conflict can create a breach of trust in the relationship. Broken trust attacks and weakens the very foundation on which the relationship is built and on which it relies for stability and security.

Accountability 

Leaders know that accountability is essential to adhesion in a team. To answer to no one or to no overriding principles leaves a leader ungrounded and untethered, disconnected from those being led.

Learning 

Accomplishment of any goal falls short of full completion if the experience is not assessed and eventually applied. Known as reflective learning, leaders evaluate the experience: What worked, what challenges were faced, and what can be learned from problems encountered and overcome to help reach future goals?

Bill Bright was one of the great Christian leaders of the 20th century. He and his wife, Vonette, founded Campus Crusade for Christ, now known as Cru, and helped lead that ministry for over 50 years. Near the end of his life, Bill reflected on the importance of depending on Christ while leading others. He said, “As I have traveled around the world, I have seen God do incredible things. Yet, as Jesus said, ‘Without me, you can do nothing.’ So none of us can boast—only rejoice over what God has done and have the assurance that He is with us!”

How Can You Be a More Effective Leader?

• My life aligns with God’s direction.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” 

(Luke 5:16).

• I daily get my assignment from God.

 “Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’” 

(John 20:21).

• I depend on God to live a life of action.

“For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” 

(Philippians 2:13). 

• My life is designed to follow God and assist in how He is working.

“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” 

(John 13:13–14).

• I allow myself to be held accountable. 

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken” 

(Matthew 12:36).

How does leadership differ from growth?

Leadership can involve growth and it is much more than simply growth. Growth is an increase and improvement, a change in circumstances that provides increase. To achieve growth, a leader helps people move in a right direction, reminds them of priorities and focus, and engages them to maximize their potential.

There is a difference between growth and innovation. Growth is an increase in magnitude or size of what currently exists. Innovation is a new thing or maybe something already present that is done in a different way. Both growth and innovation require leadership and the work of God in our lives...  

“So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 

(1 Corinthians 3:7)

Key Verses to Learn

“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

(Colossians 3:17)

"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."

(Colossians 3:23)

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith,  your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Thessalonians 1:3)

Key Passage to Read

(Philippians 2:1–11) 

LIVE IN VICTORY!

100+ BIBLICALLY BASED RESOURCE TOPICS

READY TO GO DEEPER?

Be coached and equipped to boost your spiritual strength, experience real relationships, and be the life leader you are.

Want to learn more about our other 100+ topics?  Check out the Women of Faith Resources, to discover biblical hope and practical help on these topics. The Women of Faith Resources are designed to help you – and help you help others – overcome difficulties, grow in maturity, and move forward in life.

God desires to give you hope as you face life challenges, problems and difficult trials. The good news for us, God specializes in redemption and transformation. He takes that which was lost and restores it. He takes that which was dead and gives it life. He takes that which had no hope and rewrites its story. This is our God! As you pray today, ask God boldly to transform the thing inside you that you want to see changed forever!

Thank you for your interest and support in Women of Faith. We pray God will encourage, equip, and empower you with His life-changing truth.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Women of Faith’s resources library contains our Keys For Living, providing God’s Truth for Today’s Life Challenges and Problems, on 100+ topics.

RELATED TOPICS

Communication

Conflict Resolution

Confrontation

Decision Making

Mentoring, Coaching & Discipling

Spiritual Abuse

Stress