Embracing Your Leadership
- Kurt Duggleby
- Nov 24, 2016
- 3 min read
It is time for us to refute the myth of the [PERFECT LEADER]
Leadership is easier on some days than others.
When we successfully lead through a turbulent season, lead an excellent meeting, or take a risk that results in a win, it is easy to believe God has called us to leadership. But what about the other times...
As a young leader myself, there have been many moments when I have been tempted to believe the lie that if I cannot be a “perfect leader,” I am not good enough to lead at all. I suspect I am not the only leader who is forced to confront this lie throughout the journey of leadership.
It is time for leaders to unite in order to refute the lie of the perfect leader. God does not require perfection. Rather, He invites us to display His power and might through our imperfections, even in our leadership.
[Let’s take a look at the individual Jesus chose to lead His movement on this earth over 2,000 years ago.] When Jesus approached Peter, he did not appear to be the most qualified individual for the job. Peter was not looking for a leadership role when Jesus approached Him. He was sitting in his boat, his comfort zone, in the normal routine of paying the bills. Jesus interrupted Peter’s life that day and called him to sacrifice the comfort, the ease and the normality of his life for the greatest mission of all time. The outcome of his leadership would literally change the world. Jesus did not make a mistake that day, but rather displayed a critical understanding about leadership that would hold true for the rest of history. It is time to rebel against the myth of the perfect leader. It is time for us to believe that if God calls us to leadership, He will also equip us for that calling. It is time for us to stop relying on ourselves and put our trust in the only One who can give us the power and wisdom to lead well. You may make mistakes, but do not need to see them as a reason to quit. Peter failed, notably denying Jesus three time on His way to the cross, still Jesus did not give up on him. Peter would go on to lead Jesus’ movement on this Earth... a movement that still exists to this day.
If Jesus empowered the leadership potential of a brash, young, inexperienced, flawed man like Peter, He can do the same for you and me.
[so what do we do...]
//Embrace your Calling Whether you have been leading for decades or just beginning your leadership journey, we all must learn to embrace our calling each day. Perhaps we are afraid to admit God has called us to leadership, or perhaps the path of leadership has been so draining, we want to run from it. You can continue to deny our calling, but this will only result in an unfulfilled life, untapped potential, and immeasurable lost impact. Leadership is a high calling, but we are not left to follow it on our own.
//Invest in your Calling As Pastor Bill Hybels often says, “Everyone wins when a leader gets better.” God will equip us for leadership, but that does not mean we should just sit still and wait for Him to infuse us with knowledge and wisdom. We must also invest in our calling of leadership. Read books, take the risk to ask for most responsibility, find a mentor for helpful feedback, or subscribe to podcasts. You are the steward of your calling, therefore, steward it well.
//Take Action on your Calling It is time to take action. Begin to lead. Or renew your commitment to lead with a refreshed sense of purpose. Whether you lead one person or you lead an entire company, lead with humility, integrity, passion, and boldness. You do not need to be ashamed or afraid of your calling. The God who created you, molded you and formed you has called you to a life of impacting lives, changing people and investing in individuals.
Leadership is a high calling.
But you are not required to be perfect. [This article adapted "The Lie of the Perfect Leader" by Hannah Gronowski.]
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