Leaders are unique set of people with distinctive thinking, visions and personalities that inspire others. They help others unlock their potentials so that others can become better leaders. Over the years, numerous people in places of authority have long concerned themselves with the notion of leadership and being perceived as leaders.This belief is inaccurate as it lacks salient evidence supporting such notion. Having managerial skills and influence does not make one an inspirational leader. Do not get me wrong, it is possible for a man to have authority and produce results but that does not make him a leader. So, that leaves us with another category who is a pseudo-leader, a wanna be leader called Ruler.
A leader leads from in front, by the power of example. A ruler pushes from behind, by means of the club, the whip, the power of fear – Edward Abbey
In general usage, the distinction seems clear as a Ruler rules: controls, guides, directs, dominates, exercises ultimate power and authority over an area and its people. Contrasted to rulers, a leader guides, and direct a course by inspiring others. The main difference is “control” because a Ruler can get things done through control but a leader always inspires through his examples.
Leadership and Rulership are very distinct. Not all Rulers are Leaders, but all Leaders have the ability to lead in their domains.
Most Rulers instill fears but Leaders inspire and build up the faith of others.As a matter of fact, any fool can rule, but it takes a wise man to lead.A great leader is one that can transform distressed, discontented men and debtors into mighty men of valor while he’s fighting his own battles.In the Bible, David defeated Goliath and that victory was gritty. But after the victory came assassination attempts. He became King Saul’s top enemy. This made him hide in a cave in the wilderness. Eventually, his brethren and father’s house heard about it, and about 400 distressed, discontented men who also happened to be in debt joined him in the cave. Guess what?! They made David their captain. A man anointed by God to be King over Israel was made captain of 400 weak men; did not see that coming!Just imagine this scenario for a moment. King Saul and his armies are hunting David, but because God was with him, he managed to escape and hid himself in a cave. He then cried out to God for help, and guess who showed up?
Good leadership isn’t about advancing yourself. It’s about advancing your team. – John C. Maxwell
David would have probably wanted thousands of soldiers to stand by him in his days of adversaries but God sent him weak men. He would have loved to have people that could add values to his life and inspire him, but he ended up adding values to their lives, counseling them and inspiring them. I believe that at times God will surround you with helpless people that need to be inspired by you. On that day, you will have to reach out to your reservoir and its content will be visible to the world. The content with either be faith or fear.
You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him. – Malcolm S. Forbes
If David judged by their present states that day, he would have missed God. No wonder God referred to him as “a man after God’s heart”. David counseled, inspired and transformed these weak men to mighty men of Valor. He did not wish for what he did not have, he rather worked with what he had. These men later fought side by side David, slain giants, and conquered Kingdoms.
A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen to the needs of others. He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the quality of his actions and the integrity of his intent. – Douglas Me Arthur
David had to look past his present predicaments in order to help these helpless weak men. And through his leadership, he transformed weak men to mighty men. It is true that David fought several battles and most were on the battlefields, but this was one of the hidden battles David has to fight. It takes a selfless man to put aside his challenges in order to help out his brethren.Perhaps, you might have forgotten that King Saul held back during Israel’s battle with the Philistines. But David step forward as a leader while King Saul sat as a ruler. Saul was able to get several things done because of his authority and power as a King but he did not live by example. On the contrary, David lived by example even though he was a King.
David might have been anointed to be King over Israel, but he became a leader through his actions. Saul was a Ruler, but David was a Leader.
After several years, David eventually became King and those 400 weak men later became mighty men of Valor. But then in 1 Samuel 30:6, David’s army nearly stoned him out of their frustrations because their families were taken captive. But David encouraged himself in the Lord, sought God for the next step and inspired his army to pursue their enemies.If David failed at inspiring the 400 distressed and discontented men, he would have failed to inspire the 600 angry mighty men and might have lost his life on that day. David did not have it easy, he had a track record that qualified him to lead Israel. Any leader can win battles with 600 mighty men, but it takes a great Leader to transform 400 weak men into mighty men of Valor. An ordinary farmer can produce crops during harvest, but only an extra-ordinary farmer will be able to produce extra-ordinary crops during famine.
Help others see their potentials so clearly they are inspired to achieve it. – Adriaan Groenewald
You might have been praying for gift of men, helpers of destiny that are going places with you. But you have to be sensitive when God answers your prayers because you might be expecting men of Valor but God might send you distressed and discontented men; people who have it worse than you. And in that moment, if you cannot accurately discern, you will miss God. As humans, we always look for finished products; we want people that are already made so that our journeys can be easier. But most times, God sends us raw material and want us involved in the making process.Just like Samuel saw the King inside of the boy David, David also saw greatness inside these weak men. A great leader is one that can inspire sheep to fight like Lions. Work with those God has surrounded you with, constantly speak to the Warriors, Kings and Queens trapped inside them. In the midst of your challenges, make sure you add values to the lives of others and sow seeds of greatness.
God is willing to work with only what you have, He is not interested in what you do not have.
May you recognize God in every atom and see His finger prints in the lives of all creatures. When you see like He sees, nothing is impossible.