Jane Cook - Stories of Faith and Courage from the War in Iraq and Afghanistan

Even Attila the Hun understood the focus of leadership, “Chieftains who meet their Huns needs, even at their own expense, are honorable leaders.”

Who is the one person who has most influenced your life? Was it your dad, teacher, coach, non-commissioned officer (NCO), commander, friend, or someone else?

Jesus the Nazarene was a world-class leader. He provides the spiritual premise for true leadership. Mark 1:17 says, “Come, follow me! And I will make you fishers of men.” In 1 Corinthians 4:11, Paul wrote, “Follow me, as I follow Christ.”

Jesus displayed all the attributes of a transformational leader. He developed his followers into leaders and role models for others to then follow. Leaders raise future leaders and invest themselves in those they are responsible for.

Dear God, please make me like Ezra, well versed in the Scriptures and bold to seek the favor of those in authority in order to do your will. By the power of Jesus Christ within me, please make me a transformational leader.

“This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.” (Ezra 7:6–7)

Yesterday, we began talking about leadership that produces generations of leaders. The next two days I want to discuss the focus of transformational leadership. This is the leadership style that invests in subordinates to create others-focused leaders that our military and nation need.

There are four components of transformational leadership: charisma, inspiration, being individually considerate, and intellectually stimulating. We’ll discuss the first two today.

Transformational leaders are charismatic. Their followers seek to identify with their leaders and emulate them. This doesn’t happen by accident. Leaders model leadership. They lead by example. In a real sense they are excited and enthusiastic cheerleaders for their subordinates. They speak with words and act with deeds that are admirable, appreciated, and highly esteemed. The more selfless the act, the more charismatic they become. They use words and actions that encourage determination, persistence, and “stick-to-itiveness.” They speak and act with integrity that gains trust, confidence, as well as healthy dependence and reliance from their subordinates.

Jesus asked his followers to follow him, learn from him, and emulate his actions. He instructed them to watch him and learn. He was the example of charisma.

Transformational leaders are inspirational. Leaders inspire their followers with challenge and persuasion. They provide meaning and understanding. They build a sense of vision and purpose in their subordinates. When you are with your subordinates remember these keys to being inspirational:

Be Enthusiastic—Get excited about what you are trying to accomplish. This is a contagious behavior even amidst difficult circumstance and fatigue.

Be Optimistic—Find the positive in all things. Your subordinates will focus on your optimism when circumstances discourage them.

Be Encouraging—Build up your people. Find the good and praise it.

One of Jesus’ best known teachings focused on transforming the inner self. When he finished the ‘Sermon on the Mount’ (see Mathew chapters 5–7) it’s recorded that the people “marveled at him.” People long to be around transformational leaders. Their charisma and inspiration are rare in our society.

Dear God, please make me like Nehemiah, carefully assessing the situation and boldly calling others to follow me in doing the right thing. By the power of Jesus Christ within me, please make me an inspirational leader.

“After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, ‘Don’t be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes.’” (Nehemiah 4:14)

Transformational leadership holds the key to growing great leaders for our military and our nation. Yesterday we looked at two attributes of these leaders, charisma and inspiration. Today we will look at the other two key components of this leadership style.

Transformational leaders are individually considerate. They provide their followers with support and focus on individual needs. These leaders recognize that each subordinate is unique and requires individual attention to develop into a mature leader. The leader takes on the role of a mentor and a coach. How do they accomplish this?

• FIND THE INDIVIDUAL’S STRENGTHS AND MAXIMIZE THEM

• KNOW THEIR WEAK POINTS AND STRENGTHEN THEM

• SEE EACH INDIVIDUAL AS UNIQUE, HAVING VALUE THAT CAN BE UTILIZED FOR THE BENEFIT OF OTHERS

Jesus found value in every person. He often focused on the weaker, less gifted in the crowd. Even those who were rejected by the crowd held value in his eyes. He empowered them to see that value and bless others.

Transformational leaders are intellectually stimulating. They are able to expand the follower’s use of their own abilities. They find ways to stimulate their efforts to be innovative and creative. Whether by providing opportunity or challenge, their subordinates grow in their abilities and confidence. The following suggestions may help in this regard:

Applaud creativity. Those who are able to cast a problem in a new light and re-frame circumstance to provide new perspective are truly creative.

Ensure followers are included in the process. The leader is not always the answer provider. True leaders draw the answers out from their subordinates. A follower that feels they are apart of the solution is truly enabled.

Restrict public criticism of mistakes or ideas. This not only works against the individual but the team as well. Criticize and correct in private.

Jesus’ teaching was strong and demanding but he fostered a gentile approach to his disciples. He was approachable, and they identified with him.

In conclusion, to become a transformational leader, you must be willing to change your thinking. You must be willing to change your behavior. You must be willing to change your model. Christ is the great agent of change. Not only can he make us new creatures, he can give us a new disposition.

Dear God, please make me like the prophet Joel, turning my heart toward you, confessing and repenting of any known sins, and seeking to follow you wholeheartedly. By the power of Jesus within me, please help me to seek a positive example for others to imitate.

“Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” (Joel 2:13)

My experience starts as a sense of duty. General Robert E. Lee said, “Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.” Andrew Jackson stated, “The brave man inattentive to his duty is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts her in the hour of danger.”