All through my life, I have heard people say, "Don't try to be someone you're not." And as a kid and teenager, I always thought that applied to copying others and trying to fit in with people who weren't like you and you weren't like them.
Fast forward to where I'm days away from turning 29, I have learned that saying has another meaning, especially when it comes to leadership. So let me give you a different version of that saying as it regards to the leadership topic.
If you have to tell people you're a leader, you probably aren't one.
The word "leader" is more of a verb than a noun. A leader is an example; a model; a demonstration. A leader points in the direction one should go. And a leader motivates that one to want to go there.
But so many people think of themselves as leaders and call themselves leaders but they don't have much to show for it. I, too, have fallen victim to this trap. It's so easy to fall into because we tend to think of ourselves in a way that isn't very realistic. We tend to believe that we are somewhat better than what people think or know. Which is probably why we justify our sins as "not that bad." Sin is sin right?
So wouldn't leadership be.....leadership?
You're either a leader or you're a follower. You can't be one car ahead of the caboose and think you're the leader.
So what we must do is strive to seek our unique design and calling that only comes from God. Allow Him to not only lead us, but to lead through us. Allow Him to give you a vision. Allow Him to establish your authority. Allow Him to guide you as you guide others.
Otherwise you're just a follower who isn't willing to be led. I know that may not make sense.
But calling yourself a leader when no one else is following you doesn't make much sense, either.
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