The leader must always resist the temptation to act like those he leads.

People ultimately change positively when treated better than they deserve. This is the chance that every leader must offer to those he leads.

Act Differently

You don’t treat people based on their actions. They have issues, there are certain truths they don’t know, and you are in a better position to show them how to live and behave.

The leader must always resist the temptation to act like those he leads.

If your spouse is rude, be polite. If your subordinates are ungrateful, show gratitude for their work. When people hate you, love them instead.

Beyond The Titles

Taking the lead is not about positions or titles. If you are the better version of those you relate to, then you’re offering leadership to them. You’re setting an example. And they will soon emulate you. Even if they don’t immediately reciprocate, at least give them a chance to see how people must live and behave.

If you exhibit virtues that your colleagues aspire to, then you’re their leader in that regard, even if you don’t hold any position or title. If you’re patient, and they are not, they will soon learn from you, and that makes you the leader.

Brace Yourself For Ingratitude

Ingratitude is an attitude. And it’s a bad one. Yet the leaders receive a fair share of this selfish attitude. Moses’ congregation was selfish and unbelieving.

Now there was no water for the congregation; so they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. Numbers 20:2

Moses’ role was to show them God’s unfailing love and give them a reason to believe in God. Their attitude and their doubt made them vulnerable, and so they needed help. If they continued in that path, it would destroy them, and indeed many of them died in the wilderness for their unbelief and murmuring.

But God was working through Moses to mitigate the likely consequence of their unbelief by pointing them to God’s love, care, and greatness.

This is your privileged position as a leader. People can change because of your example, and you could save a life by simply being you, drawing your inspiration from what God expects of you, and not how people respond and react.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me execute my leadership role, well. Give me solutions to people’s needs and complaints. Help me not to be taken up by their weaknesses; through my work, I can help many to see a better way to live. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.

This is an excerpt from the Devotional Magazine. Get it free in the top tab.

Eryeza is a pastor and the author of “Becoming An Influence,” “The Spiritual Health Solution For You,” and “Prayer Craft.” All the books are available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover formats on Amazon.