Read the Need, then Lead

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Every day I am blessed with some quiet time in the Maxwell Leadership Bible. Lessons on Leadership are something I am very passionate about…so today I thought I was pass this great lesson along to you!

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; For so you will heap coals of fire on his head, And the Lord will reward you.
Proverbs 25:21-22

Leaders need to respond to individuals based on their needs rather than their faults. The Lord encourages us to see what others need – even our enemies – and respond accordingly.

Good leaders do this well. They don’t lead out of a predetermined package of behaviors, but size up every situation and discern what must happen to reach the desired goal. Like a quaterback who read the defense, then calls an audible from the line of scrimmage, good leaders remain flexible and may change their response, based not on what a person deserves, but on what they need to succeed. Good leaders follow this path in difficult situations.

They need – They aren’t afraid to admit they need to listen and get understanding.

They read – They evaluate what has happened and what stpes are best to take.

They feed – They communicate what they’ve observed to key players.

They heed – They act on the basis of their discovery, even if it means change.

They lead – They provide direction to those involved.

(excerpt taken from the Maxwell Leadership Bible)

Lead on,

2 Comments

  1. What a blessing to read your post this morning – this verse is one that has had a lot of meaning this year and one that God has encouraged me by! Sue at Praise and Coffee mentioned this theme too very recently. You know I was sitting at my computer feeling a bit despondent regardig a situation with a bitter family member who will not forgive my hubby and I for something she feels we did not do. It is perceived rather than a reality, but 2 years on she is becoming more bitter. So this verse has been one that God blessed us with, and we have kept blessing her and giving to her and just being ourselves, not entertaining any negative stuff, which has given us freedom. But as her bitterness was aired a few days ago for the first time so we actually knew what was really up, I’ve felt a heaviness again – this perked me up, and was like God saying – come on, lift up your head, trust me for breakthrough – keep on encouraging, keep on keeping on. So thankyou.

  2. Karen,

    I can’t imagine anyone having anything against you…
    keep your head up sister…
    keep the faith…
    you can do it, I know you can!

    Much Prayers,
    Melissa

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