Four Characteristics Of A Great Leader (Cont.)

3. Empower his followers

The third characteristic of a great leader is the ability to empower your followers. Christ’s followers were the disciples, to whom he communicated the vision of the kingdom. It was necessary for Christ to be able to empower his followers as he knew that he would not always be with them. It would fall to them to spread the gospel message so that others in turn might believe and be saved. The purpose of the empowerment is to further the cause of the vision. For the goal of a great leader is to fulfill the vision.

As we find in Mark 6:7-12, to prepare them for that time, Christ sent the disciples out in pairs to preach repentance to mankind. In addition to a clear understanding of the message, they were also given power over unclean spirits so that it would serve as a witness to their credibility. This empowerment is necessary as there is only so much that one person can accomplish. Christ accomplished more than anyone else by giving and living his life as a sacrifice, yet it was needful that others continue his work by spreading the gospel message.

Empowering the apostles

After Christ’s crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles to empower them to broaden his work. In Acts 1:1-9, we have recorded for us the commandments he gave them. It is after the imparting of these commandments that he departed from them to join our Heavenly Father until the appointed time when he shall return to reign on the earth. His commandment was for them to serve as witnesses unto the ‘uttermost part of the earth’ after they received the gifts of the holy spirit. We see this as well in the parable of the talents in Luke 19. When the nobleman goes away into a far country, he gave a task to his servants which involved giving each of them a pound.

If a leader does not have the ability to empower his followers, then much less would have been accomplished. The ten pounds would still only be ten pounds, as if the third servant had been given charge over them all. Therefore, a great leader cannot have the misconception that ‘if you want something done right, then you have to do it yourself.’

We know that Paul planted, but Apollos watered and God gave the increase. Alone, neither Paul nor Apollos would have accomplished as much. They were both empowered so that much could be accomplished. Even so are we empowered, not by the holy spirit, but by the holy word which has been given unto us. We are told by our leader that we must share that gospel message; we must not be like the servant who hid the pound, but like those that used it to gain five or ten pounds.

Learning the lesson for ourselves

This characteristic also applies to us, not that we have followers as none are baptized in our names, but rather that we should in turn empower others to carry on God’s work in fulfillment of the vision. We do this by exhorting and teaching others from the scriptures so that they can be thoroughly furnished for every good work.

We know that Christ is our shepherd, yet he commands us to feed the flock and to care for them. We therefore serve in the role of a shepherd and should be empowering others to assist in that role, not trying to take it all upon oneself.

4. Being a role model

The final characteristic of a great leader is the ability to serve as a role model. If a leader wants his/her followers to assist in fulfilling the vision, then he needs to be able to motivate an individual by providing an example as to how things should be accomplished. We are all familiar with the phrase, ‘the end does not justify the means.’ If the leader does not provide an example as to how the vision should be accomplished, then the empowered followers might attempt to fulfill it in a manner that is not appropriate, thereby corrupting the vision.

In the case of the vision of the kingdom of God, we know that the vision will be fulfilled and not corrupted, yet followers can jeopardize their own participation in the vision. As we know, there is only one way to find a place in the kingdom and it is through following Christ. Christ therefore serves as that role model, the cornerstone after which we are to be modeled, in order to create a living temple in which we are stones. Jesus is a role model by manifesting the characteristics of God as found in Exodus 34:6, “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, the LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth…”

Practicing the spirit of God’s commands

The law was able to show the Israelites what they should do, but not the spirit in which they should do it. Christ was able to understand the spirit of the law and to see its intention is to reveal God and help people to develop His characteristics. Even as Christ served as a role model for his followers and for us as well, we too must serve as role models. We must strive to manifest God’s characteristics, not only to be true followers of Christ and to find a place in the kingdom, but so that we might serve as role models as a reflection of Christ to those with whom we come in contact.

As agents of Christ in these last days, how we act is a reflection upon Christadelphians and on the truth which we should embrace fervently. As such, if we do not strive to manifest God’s character, then we also might lead others astray. And if we do not start to manifest God in this lifetime, then we will not be fit vessels to manifest Him in the age to come. Serving as a role model provides the necessary strength to those who follow to carry on the work assigned to them for which they are empowered.

Summary

These four characteristics of a great leader are all critical to achieving the ultimate vision the leader pursues. Without the vision there is no purpose; without the ability to communicate it, the vision cannot be comprehended; without the empowering of the followers, the work cannot be completed; and without a role model, the path to the fulfillment of the vision is obscured.

Christ therefore serves as the perfect example of a great leader and as such, one after whom we should model ourselves. Christ maintained the vision of the kingdom throughout his ministry as provided by God, without straying or modifying it despite the heavy personal cost. He communicated the vision to others so that they might partake of it and might assist in the fulfillment of it. He then empowered them and set their tasks before him, giving them the guidance they needed to fulfill their duties. And finally, he served as the perfect role model by manifesting the characteristics of God and ultimately became perfected upon his resurrection. If we, too, wish to be perfected and take part in that vision, then we should strive to manifest these four characteristics of a great leader as exemplified by Christ.