Where you go I'll go

Do you have a mentor in your life that inspired you? Brought out the best in you? I have been blessed with both the opportunity to be lead by dynamic, interesting and thoughtful individuals, but also had the opportunity to lead. Since I work with adults and children with developmental delays, I sometimes also am the person who stands alone advocating for a person who needs my voice. Every parent though is a leader. Thinking that leadership is left up to the Teachers, Pastors and other professionals denies the central role a parent plays in a child's life.  Let's explore the topic of leadership together and see where it leads us......

For leadership to occur it means that something intangible is being passed from mentor to mentored. There are also different environments in which leadership is needed. Leadership starts with the individual and works it way outward.
1. Individual
2. Family
3. Community of associates
4. Larger Community
5. State
6. National
7. Global
8. Spiritual

In addition there are many voices claiming that their way is the right way. Leadership is seen as a way to develop power over people, and when someone has power that isn't too far away from being able to control other people.  Jesus spoke of this to his disciples regarding spiritual leadership and waiting for Him to come again.

At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. 25See, I have told you ahead of time. 26“So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.(Mathew 24:23-27)




How do we sort out the different messages coming at us on a daily basis, claiming to have truth, happiness and health for all who follow?
 I love this verse in 1st Chronicles that describes leadership from the tribe of Issachar:
"These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David at Hebron to turn Saul’s kingdom over to him, as the LORD had said......from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command." 1 Chronicles 12:23 and 32

So they understood the time and knew what Israel should do. The question is "how do you get Israel, or my family, or co-workers to do it?"

A great leader will likely have some of these qualities:

Curiosity
Playful
A Sense of Humor
Allows mistakes
Maintains an environment free from gossip

I mention these qualities and not the hundred others that are just as needed because these qualities are naturally motivating allowing individuals to express initiative and grow in areas of their own interest. Allowing a person to become the person they were made to be.



For parents I think it is imperative that they recognize the decisions they make everyday are being absorbed by the little ones and not so little ones they are leading.

For girls - the emotional style of the family is being absorbed everyday and eventually will be the family legacy they pass to the next generation.

For boys - the integrity  and character of the family is being absorbed everyday and eventually will be the family legacy they pass to the next generation.

Another interesting theory I have heard is that we parent like the opposite sex parent in our life. So women parent like they have seen their Dad's parent, and men parent like they have seen their Mom's parent. Interesting theory - that I think has some validity to it. However we always have free-will and are able to change our parenting styles as well. 

This was fun exploring today - I look forward to additional insights on this topic anyone is willing to share.



 Here is a fun leadership quiz that has three styles of leadership
1. Authoratative
2. Participatory

3. Delagative
( I am a participatory leader)


Here is a leadership quiz from a Christian perspective with the following leadership styles:
1.Pioneering
2.Strategic
3.Management
4.Team (also servant leadership)
5. Encouraging 
(I am a strategic leader).

Here is another quiz that I found to be pretty realistic in its description of my abilities.