A leader is someone who is trying to get people to follow him. That is what makes you a leader — when you have followers!
In order to have a following, you must be able to relate with all kinds of people. People vary in their views on God. People vary in their views on economics.
People vary in their understanding of human behaviour. People vary in their levels of education. People vary in their appreciation of beauty.
People vary in their understanding of different social issues. People vary in their interests.
And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean. Acts 10:28.
Discover
A leader discovers that he is confronted with different people all the time. Peter was rigid in his understanding of leadership that he restricted his ministry to a small group of Jews.
That immediately shrinks the number of followers you can have. But God had a bigger plan for him. God wanted him to reach many other people.
As you read this I sense that God wants to give you a wider scope of ministry and a wider scope of people to relate to.
Do not be myopic. Do not restrict yourself. Think about this: there are more people who different from you than those who are like you!
You must realise that your ‘type’ of person is a limited species upon this earth. You are not likely to find many people in your age group, with your background, colour or accent.
If you want to succeed as a leader you must realise very early that you need to be able to relate with all kinds of people, especially people who are not like you.
To the weak you must become weak, and to the strong you must become strong.
To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 1 Corinthians 9:22,23
Relate
To become a leader of many people I must relate with people who do not have my background.
Many of my friends have had a very different background from mine because of our different circumstances.
But I relate with them naturally and easily.
If you are a leader and you have a poor educational background, you can rise up and relate with all kinds of people, including the educated people.
Do not drive away all the educated people because of your lack of education. That would be unfortunate! You have many opportunities to change that situation.
You can educate yourself!
You must be able to relate to the people who return your kindness with ingratitude. Jesus experienced ingratitude. He was killed by a mob of Jews.
As a leader, you will find out that the people you love can turn round and hurt you. It will not take you long to discover this.
Do not look to people for gratitude. A leader looks to God for his rewards! The Scripture teaches that your rewards depend on God and not on the people you helped.
God is the only one who can reward you adequately. Do not expect much from people; expect your rewards from God.
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. Ephesians 6:8
Consider?
Do you consider yourself to be a leader? Then ask yourself this question: “What type of person am I? And what type of person am I not?â€
Answer these questions frankly. You are likely to be surprised at the answers. But go ahead and make a decision to relate with every type of person and you will be amazed at what a following you will have.
You must realise that your ‘type’ of person is a limited species upon this earth.
Each individual is unique. Each person is likely to have some peculiarities. You are not likely to find many people in your age group, with your background, colour or accent.
You will notice that there are extents to which people are like you. If you want to succeed as a leader you must realise very early that you need to be able to relate with all kinds of people, especially people who are not like you.
You must be able to relate with your ‘type’ as well as those who are not your ‘type’. To the weak you must become weak, and to the strong you must become strong!
The writer is the founder of the Lighthouse Group of churches