Whether you’re a parent, boss, volunteer, or even a friend you have some level of leadership in another’s life. You might not think of yourself as a leader, but you are to someone. So how can you make sure you’re a good one?
I came across this quote on something every good leader does:
“But a good leader plans to do good, and those good things make him a good leader.” – Isaiah 32:8 (NCV)
You don’t have to believe in the Bible, or even in God for that matter, to get this makes a lot of sense.
Since you are a leader of something or at least to someone, how can you make sure you’re a good one? Here’s what makes the difference:
Good leaders do everything they can to help their people be everything they can.
Ever met someone who made big promises but never did anything about them?
You learn not to take them seriously. You learn they’ve got good intentions, but not good follow-through. You quickly realize they like credit for good ideas but not the hard work that goes into making good ideas a reality.
Good leaders don’t do that. Good leaders want to do good things for the people they lead and have influence with, plan how to make them happen, then make them happen. It’s not a complicated idea, but it is an important one.
Like it or not you are a leader to someone. Could be your kids. Could be a co-worker that hangs on your every word. Could be the kids you volunteer with at church, or a neighbor, a spouse, or a friend. Will you be a good leader to them, or someone who just talks about being a good leader.
Being a good leader doesn’t just happen. You have to make it happen.
Jeff McClung 