The True Leader

As Christians of the world celebrate the birth of the saviour, this timely blog is dedicated to Jesus Christ.  Reflecting on what he shared with us on how we can lead in his ways.

 Jesus was announced to be a leader centuries prior to his birth when God spoke through the prophet Isaiah. Isaiah 9:6 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.””  Wonderful is translated from the Hebrew word pele meaning miracle.

In a short blog I would never be able to describe in detail on how so many characteristics and values of effective and successful leaders can be referenced to the True Leader.  We can however simply look at the first name, or quality from the announcement, how we can portrait Jesus Christ through behaving as wonderful counsellors.

The counsellor role is an important aspect of leaders.  Good counsellors are always compassionate and positive.  This is the fundamental ingredient of what can make us exceptional leaders.  To be supportive and inspirational is often words used from people describing their best leader they have ever had.  Although we may know this is a necessity in our role to impact, mentor and lead others, we may become less optimistic or cheerful at times.  Even our True Leader, although a flesh life filled with encouraging actions and words, he also had the moment in the temple where the situation might have got the best of him when he made a whip of cords and drove the traders out the temple. John 2:13-17

Is the stress, conflicts or challenges get the best of us at times?  In a world that is fast pace, competitive, action driven and goal oriented it is too often taking from us a true effort to remember to be portraying the optimistic person in charge.

This is where the quote from Warren Bennis who through his many books, highlighted so often that the ingredient of successful leaders include personal ethics.   “Managers are people who do things right, while leaders are people who do the right thing.” 

Just when He fed the many, faced with thousands of people being in a desolate place away from food and his disciples telling him of the worry of darkness soon upon them, the apostle Mark tells us that he had compassion for all.  Mark 6:34

May we as leaders learn the goodness from the teachings and examples of our True Leader.  Let us take the spirit of the season built from true Love and Compassion, and make it part of what we strive to become - stronger leaders. 

Merry Christmas.     

Paul Bertrand is founder of Canadian People Management Inc. which is based out of Pickering, Ontario. His company specializes in organizational effectiveness development through solutions tailored to strengthen his client’s cultures, leadership and teams.

www.cpeoplemi.com