A leader grows in his influence

A leader ought to have an effect on others.

That is influence! It is a leader’s influence that makes him or her have a following.

The followers of a leader are people who have been influenced by the leader. Most leaders often start with having an influence over a small group of people.

As a leader’s scope of influence grows, his or her following increases!

Note that a leader increases his or her scope of influence as he/she grows in the art of leadership! This was the story of Jesus. Jesus had influence over a large number of people.

The Pharisees, therefore, said among themselves: “Perceive ye how ye prevail nothing? Behold, the world is gone after Him.” John 12:19

The Bible tells us that the whole world went after Jesus. The Pharisees were very disturbed over this. The devil will be afraid of the influence of a true leader.

This is why some governments become extremely conscious of pastors who are true leaders, because they know that a true leader influences a large number of people.

The key to growing in your influence is to grow in your influence over smaller sub-groups of people.

The cumulative effect of your influence and control over these sub-groups will give you a larger sphere of influence.

When a person is a leader at heart, people who are even senior to the leader will follow him. The Apostle Paul taught Timothy to establish his influence over sub-groups within his church.

Groups leaders must influence

A leader must influence older men. There are older and younger leaders. Do not be discouraged as a young leader. You can still reach out to people who are way out of your age group. Be a leader who influences older people.

“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren”; 1 Timothy 5:1.

• A leader must influence younger men
On the other hand you may be a far older leader. Your age should not put you out of the reach of those younger than you. You can be a far older leader and influence those who are far younger than you. Be a leader who influences younger ones. There is so much you can pass on to them! There is so much they can pick up from you to their advantage.

“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren”; 1 Timothy 5:1.

• A leader must influence older women. Older women ought to be part of a leader’s circle of influence. They are likely to help increase your scope of influence because of the their influence on others as well. May you be a leader who exerts a good influence on older women. “...The elder women as mothers; the younger women as sisters, with all purity”; 1 Timothy 5:2.

• A leader must influence younger women. The Bible also tells us the kind of influence a leader ought to exert on younger women. Younger women are the future. A good leader’s influence continues into the future – even beyond his life. May you grow in your influence on younger women!

“The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity”; 1 Timothy 5:2.

• A leader must influence servants. May you not be a leader who has no effect on your servants! If you have servants, they should not fall out of your scope of influence. A leader can influence his servants in such a way that they will look on you with eyes of love and admiration. May you be that kind of leader!

“Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed”; 1 Timothy 6:1.

Timothy grew in his ministry until all sorts of people were part of his church. Apostle Paul had to show him how to handle all the different types of people who were responding to his gift of leadership.

“Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity”; 1 Timothy 5:1,2.

A nation is made up of different kinds of leaders; leaders in schools, leaders at home, leaders of enterprises, leaders of political parties, leaders of supermarkets, leaders of innovative ventures, leaders in technology and many other leaders.

Our nation will be a blessed nation if our different leaders grow in their influence all around. Above are a few tips on some of the people a leader must influence.

May you develop in the art of leadership until all sorts of people respond to your influence! May you grow in your influence!

Culled from The Art of Leadership (www.daghewardmillsbooks.org)
E-mail: theaol@ymail.com