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The Most Important Truth About Leadership
by Captain Pete Brookshaw

 

Leadership is elusive. How can you gauge when you have mastered it (if there is such a thing)? How do you know if you are failing miserably? What is the most important factor in leadership?

 

It might sound crazy to you, but I think God downloaded a one-liner that will revolutionize my future. It will stop me thinking about things out of my control. It will keep me focused. So, I'm about to give you the most important tip on leadership anyone could ever give you.

 

John C. Maxwell drilled down leadership to 21 Irrefutable Laws. Posner and Kouzes in The Truth About Leadership nailed down ten truths that encapsulate good leadership. Others like Pastor Bill Hybels have knuckled leadership down to four fundamentals, like vision and character. Authors like Jim Collins offer us insights into developing level 5 kind of leadership. Stephen Covey leaved a legacy of the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and added an overarching 8th Habit later on.

 

So, if I had to some up my most important truth about leadership, what would it be? 

 

This number one leadership idea came to me while on our Northern Territory Region (Australia) Youth Camp. I was laying on the dormitory bed, reflecting on the day that had just been. I was reflecting on the challenges I was facing. I was thinking about the future, the possibilities, the change that could happen, the difference that could be made... I prayed. I asked God to equip me to be a better leader. 

 

Then something popped in my mind that had me sitting up straight immediately. I call it a 'Word from the Lord', and some of you might just call it an idea that sprung into my head. It nonetheless lifted me from any sort of slumber and made me take notice. Here it is...

 

"The greatest challenge you will ever face in leadership, is you."

 

If you consider any problem/conflict/issue, whether it be a broken relationship, an unfinished project, or an unrealised dream, the only thing you have control over is your action or response to the situation at hand. You cannot change many things; but you can change you.  

 

As a Christian, the challenge for me, is to be more Christlike, to grow in holiness and to let my life encapsulate a deep spirituality found in Jesus and be gracious, compassionate, and assertive in leadership that draws people together to change the world for God! Therefore, my greatest challenge in leadership in a sense, is me.

For you, in whatever aspect of Salvation Army work you are in, and whatever your passions are, and whatever dreams keep you up at night, remember, the greatest challenge in leadership will always be... you.

 

 

  

 

 

   

 

 

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