What Every Leader Needs, But Few Possess

Just because you’re a leader doesn’t mean you have this. It doesn’t just come with the title.

It also doesn’t just show up because you’re busy. It’s an intentional choice to become this kind of leader.

What kind of a leader, might you ask? An influencing leader.

Have you ever been frustrated in your leadership? Like you wish your team would just “get it”? You’ve seen other great teams and wish yours would get the memo?

If you’re not modeling what you want to see happen, there won’t be congruency in your team.

• If you want a worshiping team, lead the way in intimate, give-it-your-all worship.
• If you want a prepared team, be the leader who is more prepared than anyone else.
• If you want a more creative team, challenge yourself to more personal creative exploration.

Because it comes down to influence. You want to be the kind of person who influences. A great leader will influence their team to prime effectiveness. But not every leader is an influencer. Some leaders actually drive people the other direction because of their distance, lack of personality, terrible communication, or not caring enough.

5 Ways to Increase Your Influence

So the question begs to be asked: How can one become and influencer? I’m glad you asked.

1.Work On Your Personality – You don’t have to change who you are, but ask yourself the question, “Would I want to hang out with me?” Influencers have a good personality. They are fun, interesting, encouraging, and real. They possess a certain magnet because they bring out the best in people. Others want to be close because they’re motivated to stretch further, become better. On a side note, be interesting. What makes someone interesting? They are interested in diverse things, a lot of things. They look at the world with wide eyed wonder. If all you seem to be interested in is a full Planning Center schedule and how your team performs, no one will stick around.

2. Challenge Others – Deep down, nobody wants to stay the same. We crave challenge. Matter of fact, Dan Pink in his book, Drive, talks about what makes people happy and successful in their careers. In addition to autonomy and mastery, is challenge. We don’t want to be a part of something so difficult we can’t do it, but we also don’t want to be a part of something too easy we can sleep through. There needs to be the right amount of challenge because challenge motivates.

3. Get Results – Results are what give you credibility. If you’re all talk and coffee meetings, but have nothing to show for it, people will move on. I know it sounds harsh, but people crave momentum. They want to be a part of something that is moving. That’s why large, unified crowds are called a movement. Your rehearsals should have a goal and produce a positive result. Weekend worship should have a goal and produce a positive result in the people you work with.

4. Celebrate People – As a leader, your words matter more than you know. Without encouraging words from specific people, I may not be leading worship. I would never have created Beyond Sunday Worship. Never underestimate the power of your words and the destiny-shaping effect they have on people. Celebrate them, lavish encouragement, speak deep into their destiny.

5. Pursue Depth in God – An influencing leader doesn’t just model outward productivity. There’s an inward life in God that is attractive. They don’t have to know everything, but they need to have a private integrity that supports public ministry. But even if all the leadership, influence, and ministry were taken away, they would be satisfied in knowing Jesus. You can tell who those people are. There’s a depth, a reality that is stronger than anything else.

What about you?

What determines influence? How can you be a more influencing leader?

Let’s talk it out. You can leave a comment here.

[ois skin=”Beyond Sunday 2″]