Too often leaders assume the positional authority of a boss. Bosses are needed. At times we need people in charge to tell us what to do. The person at the office assigned the fire marshal duty when alarms blare needs to be able to bark orders. They are trained. They know what to do. Too many in charge creates chaos, which is not helpful when fires blaze.
But there is a difference between a boss and a leader. Bosses claim authority with their position, and sometimes necessarily. But leaders are given authority by their followers. Leaders are given their positions by the people they guide.
- If leadership is a gift from followers, then followers decide who they want to lead.
- If leadership is a gift from followers, then followers help determine what style of leadership is appropriate.
- If leadership is a gift from followers, then followers have a say where they should be led.
- If leadership is a gift from followers, then followers decide when the gift should be given.
- If leadership is a gift from followers, then followers help establish why leaders lead.
- If leadership is a gift from followers, then followers influence how leaders take charge.
Leadership is a gift from followers. Treat it as such.
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As I read this I tried to picture Jesus and the disciples. The parallel doesn’t fit perfectly, because Jesus has an authority that is all his own. That being said, I can’t imagine the followers of Jesus having any say in where they were to be led.
That’s the only item on the list that doesn’t quite fit for me. Followers can decide when to stop following, but not to where the leader will lead them.
Great point Stephen. I agree, all authority comes ultimately from Jesus (Matthew 28:18, Romans 13:1). If we’re not following Him–leaders and followers together–then we’ll never get to the right place. But followers do have a say in where a human leader takes them. There are times when a leader’s positional authority over followers means little unless the people have bought into where they are being led.