I didn’t always consider myself a leader. Early on in youth ministry I saw myself as someone who was meant to just hang out with teenagers. As I grew older I discovered in order to lead teenagers deeper I had to learn to lead adult volunteers, parents and peers in youth ministry. As an individual there was only so much I could do, I had to show others how to lead.
To lead others means being able to hand an immense amount of responsibility. As a leader you need to coordinate, equip and direct others who will help you invest in the next generation. In order to handle your role as a leader it’s important for you to LEARN and GROW as one. The way you learn and grow is by developing healthy habits like:
- Getting Lost In A Book: When you read it means you are open to other people’s stories, ideas and thoughts. Mix it up with some fiction to stretch your creativity or a biography to learn from someone else’s story. Reading will give you new perspectives and exercise your mind.
- Embracing The Council Of Others: You cannot lead on your own because the burden will be too heavy. Surround yourself with people who will give you insight into your decisions and hold you accountable with your promises. To build this council find people that will love and support you. Make sure they are also confident to speak truth into your life.
- Staying Rested And Fit: Leading is strenuous and challenging. It will wear you down physically; therefore, you need to make sure you care for your body. Eating right, working out and finding rest are all key elements to staying physically fit. Care for your body and you will be able to handle the tension leadership brings.
- Learning To Listen: If you want to earn people’s respect then you need to assure them that you are listening. People who will follow you want a leader who cares about what they have to say and gives his team a platform to speak. A great place to exercise this habit is during meetings, instead of laying out your ideas, facilitate a conversation amongst participants.
- Seeking Wisdom And Truth: Leaders not only have to feed their mind but their soul and heart. You need to find time to consult God and listen to His voice. It’s with His guidance that you will be able to lean into conflict and make difficult decisions. Above all else, make your prayer life a priority.
If you want to lead others you need to grow as a leader. That means embracing disciplines that will keep you focused on the vision and mission of your ministry. The more you grow, the stronger you will be and with God on your side what will you have to fear?
What are other healthy habits of a leader?