You Be the Change You Want to See - 4

                                                     You Be the Change You Want to See - 4

Subject:  Leading The Change in Your Family, Church, or Business

By Rick Welborne

Exodus 18:13-24 (NLT2)
¹³  The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.
¹⁴  When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
¹⁵  Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God.
¹⁶  When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”
¹⁷  “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.
¹⁸  “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.
¹⁹  Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.
²⁰  Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives.
²¹  But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.
²²  They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.
²³  If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”
²⁴  Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. 

--We all must realize that leadership matters. It should matter to you because it matters to those you are leading.

General Patton – We heard sheep, we drive cattle, we lead people. Lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.

--There is a big difference in being a leader and being the person in charge. Some leaders try to herd or drive people. Moses really did not know what to do. Was he God’s man? Yes. He was doing his best.

--Though people fill the position of a leader, are they truly filling the position of leader? Real leaders have the ability to inspire people to follow a cause.

--They don’t have to threaten or manipulate those they lead; they use their leadership skills for the good of the organization. Leadership can be learned. Jethro was teaching and Moses was learning.

--There are two kinds of leadership style…position and influence. Every organization has a positional leader. In business it can be a CEO…church it can be a pastor…at home it can be a husband or a wife. Wife!

--There are many influential leaders who have never been recognized as positional leaders but they are still leading. They are leading because people are following.

1. Qualities of good leaders.

T.J. Addington – Positional authority is based on one’s position and responsibility in the workplace. Personal authority is the standing I have with others because of my behavior, values, treatment of others and morality. 

--What is interesting, it is possible for people to have positional authority without personal authority. The lack of trust they have from those below them causes they authority to be weak. 

--Just because you are above someone in the organization does not mean you have their respect or that you are followed wholeheartedly. You may be able to force them to comply but their heart is not in it.

--It is true; people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. They want you to be real and to care about their hopes and dreams. Six qualities of real leaders.

A. You must be teachable. Be willing to listen and to learn.

B. You must be perceptive. Be concerned about others.

C. You must invest emotionally in the team. Show appreciation and care about what they think.

D. You must set the right example. Model the way.

E. You must be honest. Be real, honest, and transparent.

F. You must be sincere. Be who God created you to be. Be genuine. 

--You can still be a strong leader but love the people you work with and strive for unity with your team. Value others and what they think and you will be a great leader.

2. Good leaders have to make decisions.

--Decision making is one of the most important things that leaders do. They need to know when quick decisions are needed. This was the scariest part of leadership for me. 

--The more important the decision, the more prayer and thought that has to go into your decision. Decision making can wear you out emotionally. You may have to ask a few questions before you make your decision.

--Most importantly, does the Bible answer the question? Do I have enough info to make a decision? Have I heard both sides? What is it that I do not know? 

--Does the decision put the organization or anyone at risk? Are there other alternatives? Have I honestly prayed about the situation? Is there unity among the leadership?

--How will people inside and outside the organization react to the decision? Do I have the conviction to stick with my decision if things go south? 

James Dobson – When you don’t know what to do, stall for time. 

Danger – We are quick to attribute to God a decision of something we want so badly. We, also, are quick to blame God when it doesn’t go well. God told me to do this. God told me not to do this. 

--Knowing God’s Word and having common sense will go a long way in making decisions. Hopefully, as we get older, we are improving our decision making ability.

Psalm 119:9-12 (NIV)
⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word.
¹⁰  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.
¹¹  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.
¹²  Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 

--Simple steps in making good and informed decisions:

A. Approach decision making with humility. No one likes a know it all.

B. Choose a plan and go with your heart. Trust God is leading you.

C. Communicate the decision well and the plan of action. More information is better than less.

D. Execute the decision with confidence and with excellence. How it is presented is so important. 

3. Great leaders inspire other leaders.

--For any organization to be successful the main leader has to raise up other leaders. This was what Jethro was trying to tell Moses. For Israel to be great, you need help.

--It cannot be just positional leaders with a title, it must be leaders with influence to advance the organization. Leaders must empower leaders to be successful. Stop micro managing those God has given you.

Bill Gates – As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.  

1 Timothy 4:11-14 (NKJV)
¹¹  These things command and teach.
¹²  Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
¹³  Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
¹⁴  Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 

--Just like Jesus saw the potential in the disciples, the leader must be able to identify those God wants to use. People have scratched their heads at some of my choices. Those people have blessed us. A few…oh well!

--Inc. Magazine offers five things leaders can do to empower others. 

A. Communicate your vision. Life Church is a mission’s church. I only want people with that vision. The vision has to be communicated over and over again.

George Bernard Shaw – The single biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.

B. Offer encouragement and support. People want to know what they are doing matters. 

C. Challenge people to go beyond their perceived limits. We all can improve. We can all do better.

D. Set reachable, measureable goals. People want to know how well they are doing with their goals. 

E. Get out of the way. Let people use their gifts for the glory of God.

--We have to learn to delegate and then, get out of the way. I tell those who work for me if I have to watch over you to do your ministry, I have the wrong person.