The Nuts and Bolts of Influence #dumcMY

Pastor Daniel Ho, Leaders’ Advance 4.0, 02/09/2012

No leader should think he knows everything. A smart leader will take ideas from others and take notes. Once we have collated good ideas, we will plan and take actions. At the end of it all, actions are important.

This is the 3rd and last session of the Leaders’ Advance 4.0.

Notes for sessions 1 and 2 are found here and here. Very brief notes.

Basics to being a strong person of influence

Be a great disciple

Be a great disciple – a disciple is a learner / student / apprentice. He is an imitator and follower of his header. The word came from discipline. Without discipline, we cannot be a good disciple.

What does it take to be a great disciple?

The 5 formative principles of influence in session 1

1. Faith in dependence upon God
2. Character and consistency
3. Convictions and courage
4. Actions and commitments
5. Excellence and life-long obedience

We say what we mean and we mean what we say. We must get our being inside right before we can begin with the doing. Our faith in and dependence on God are so important. Until and unless we become a great disciple, we cannot be a great leader.

Be a great disciple-maker

Be a good leader with the following Cs

1. Commitment
2. Character
3. Convictions about what is right / wrong, acceptable / not acceptable.
4. Competence. We must be the very best in what we do. We must continue to learn.
5. Chemistry. We are able to work well together with others. Ken Blanchard came to know Jesus during a flight. He was invited to study leadership in Willow Creek by Bill Hybels. He found out that chemistry is very important. No matter how good we are, we cannot match the team (together we achieve more.) What is important to all of us leaders is to learn to work together. When we learn to work together, we harness the synergy.
6. Capacity. A leader should never stop learning. He should continue to improve himself in his capacity or even to increase his capacity. A leader must get input from others into his life. We should always have a willing heart and a teachable spirit.
7. Courageous. If fear is found in a leader, the fear is multiplied in the followers.
8. Cost. There is a price to pay for being a leader. There will be people who love us. There will be people who will not love us. If we become a man-pleaser, we will not get things done. One has to remain firm in one’s commitment and conviction.

Pastor Daniel thinks leaders are generally not born but made through the process of growing and maturity.

Be a leader of influence

1. Make time – for God and for people. Spending time daily with God must never be sacrificed. Time with God daily is important. It should preferably be done first thing in the morning.
2. Be proactive. A person who is not proactive is a follower and not a leader. A leader will seize any available opportunities. (Eph 5:15,16, Col 4:5) Carpe diem! We want to create opportunities to share the Gospel.  A leader doesn’t just take opportunity but also to create opportunity.
3. Model living – model the life and lifestyle of a leader (1 Tim 3: Titus 1) The Scripture tells us what is expected of a leader. We need to be an exemplary leader to others. Our lives are watched by other people all the time. We should live lives that reflect rightly what God expects from us – reflecting humility (an important DNA of DUMC, when we are humble we are submissive and teachable) and also holiness (“Be ye Holy as I am holy”. We must take sins and compromises seriously. We must walk the right part before God. Don’t try to hide. Make right with God.) God’s holiness cannot be contained in an unholy vessel.

Eph 5:15-17 Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise, (16) making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (17) Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Col 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.

Thoughts: have I been sidelined by God?