Exceptional in the Ordinary
What comes to mind as you consider attributes of a good leader?
I'm not sure what your specific answer to this question was, but I bet it included some sense of power, authority, and influence - which is probably true of most leaders. Leaders tend to be influential and competent; others want to follow their example.
Our world is full of good leaders - I'm surrounded by them on a daily basis. (We're all leaders in some sense of the word, whether you believe that or not.) But, out of all the good leaders I encounter in a day, what sets a great leader apart from the good leaders?
A friend of mine from El Salvador has so many amazing gifts. Aside from being a kind, humble, caring person he is also an amazing preacher, worship leader...AND he's exceptional at entertaining a room full of children. (He could be a one-man church if that were possible!) He has incredible influence and authority. People listen to him and want to follow him. But that's not what sets him apart as a great leader.
What sets him apart as a great leader is his willingness to do the mundane, behind the scenes tasks - and with a joyful spirit even. This friend of mine is one who will wholeheartedly set up chairs with great joy because he knows that someone has to set up the chairs in order for people to come and listen to the message of Jesus.
We often want to be in positions where we have exposure to others who can see what we are doing and affirm us for it. The leader on stage gets the applause, the leader setting up chairs does not. But someone had to set up the chairs! Someone has to turn on the lights, clean the room, and set out the programs.
A great leader is one that is willing to do the work that no one is going to see or applaud but is vital for God's purpose to come to fruition.
My Salvadoran friend is still the leader who can capture the attention of a large crowd and possesses authority and influence. But he also understands that being a leader is, first and foremost, being a servant ("So the last will be first, and the first will be last." - Matthew 20:16).
I was at the grocery store when it was unusually crowded for that time of day. Checkout lanes were beginning to back up, and more employees began to jump on registers but there were not enough baggers. I spotted the manager who identified the problem and quickly jumped to bag the groceries at the end of a register. I noticed this because, even as the supervising manager, he was not under the impression that he was above bagging groceries. That's the type of leader I am willing to work for.
I'm not sure what your specific answer to this question was, but I bet it included some sense of power, authority, and influence - which is probably true of most leaders. Leaders tend to be influential and competent; others want to follow their example.
Our world is full of good leaders - I'm surrounded by them on a daily basis. (We're all leaders in some sense of the word, whether you believe that or not.) But, out of all the good leaders I encounter in a day, what sets a great leader apart from the good leaders?
A friend of mine from El Salvador has so many amazing gifts. Aside from being a kind, humble, caring person he is also an amazing preacher, worship leader...AND he's exceptional at entertaining a room full of children. (He could be a one-man church if that were possible!) He has incredible influence and authority. People listen to him and want to follow him. But that's not what sets him apart as a great leader.
What sets him apart as a great leader is his willingness to do the mundane, behind the scenes tasks - and with a joyful spirit even. This friend of mine is one who will wholeheartedly set up chairs with great joy because he knows that someone has to set up the chairs in order for people to come and listen to the message of Jesus.
We often want to be in positions where we have exposure to others who can see what we are doing and affirm us for it. The leader on stage gets the applause, the leader setting up chairs does not. But someone had to set up the chairs! Someone has to turn on the lights, clean the room, and set out the programs.
A great leader is one that is willing to do the work that no one is going to see or applaud but is vital for God's purpose to come to fruition.
My Salvadoran friend is still the leader who can capture the attention of a large crowd and possesses authority and influence. But he also understands that being a leader is, first and foremost, being a servant ("So the last will be first, and the first will be last." - Matthew 20:16).
I was at the grocery store when it was unusually crowded for that time of day. Checkout lanes were beginning to back up, and more employees began to jump on registers but there were not enough baggers. I spotted the manager who identified the problem and quickly jumped to bag the groceries at the end of a register. I noticed this because, even as the supervising manager, he was not under the impression that he was above bagging groceries. That's the type of leader I am willing to work for.
"It is inbred in us that we have to do exceptional things for God; but we have not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things."
- Oswald Chambers
We need to be better about celebrating the mundane tasks and note their purpose. When we understand the purpose and potential behind the small details we are able to do them more passionately. And, next time you go somewhere, consider the work that went into it, and be grateful that work was completed so you can enjoy your experience. A great leader sees the potential behind every task and is willing to serve as needed.
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