Leaders And Followers: What does It Mean To be A Leader?

June 2007

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams

In recent columns I expressed the idea that leaders are people of influence. To be influential suggests that others act on your behalf.

The paradox here is that leaders do not exist without followers. This core element of what it means to be a leader is often overlooked.

When we study men like Alexander the Great and look at him from a follower’s perspective we see that Alexander did not conquer the Persian Empire – his army did, under his leadership.

The traditional view of leadership, often attributed to Andrew Carnegie, is of a great man out in front and “the millions of the multitude following along.” The relationship between leaders and followers is much more complex than this outmoded picture would have us believe.

James O’Toole states that “the ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people.” The leader who does not understand Mr. O’Toole’s statement will soon find himself paddling upstream alone. Most who consider themselves leaders won’t be able to accomplish anything alone; they need help and a plan to realize any vision.

We all know that people, even soldiers, don’t follow simply because someone tells them to. Leaders must move beyond “Follow me,” to expressing a shared vision that describes where we want to go.

Shared purpose, values and vision do not exist because we declare them. They are discovered through study, experienced through sharing, and realized through surrender to alignment with God’s purposes.

Prolific authors and leadership experts Kouzes and Possner state that “There is nothing more demoralizing than a leader who can’t clearly articulate why we’re doing what we’re doing.”

Has your church conceived a vision together? Can you articulate it? Is it well communicated to those who follow?

“… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us …” Hebrews 12:1

The Kansas-Nebraska ReFocus strategy exists to assist your church become the church God envisioned it to be. To learn more about the KNCSB ReFocus strategy and process, please contact me at 1-800-984-9092.

Send this Column to a Friend






Past Columns

Return to top