Velcro: Concepts That Make Leaders Stick

One of the things that I enjoy doing, though I must admit I have much room to improve in, is equipping people to be leaders.  In e-Mails that I send out to the Youth Staff volunteers who serve students with me, I've created a section entitled, "Velcro".  In it I share leadership principles that "make leaders stick" (pun intended!); princples that I'm learning, or have been reminded of through blogs I read, other Pastors I talk to, etc.  Once and a while, I plan on sharing some of these same thoughts here, because I believe that, no matter what we do, these principles are applicable to all of us.


John Maxwell defines leadership as "Influence.  Nothing more, nothing less."  That's a pretty succinct definition. At the same time, some people ask, "How do I gain influence with others?"  It's simple: influence is commanded, not demanded; it's earned, not taken.  Let me explain.


As a Youth Pastor, I have the privilege of reaching out to students and the Youth Staff members on a regular basis.  The main purpose that I seek to gain their trust and influence is to that I can help guide them and influence them for eternity's sake.  They then, in turn, can influence others for eternity's sake.


This is how I gain influence in their lives: consistency, dependability, genuine care and concern and support - in both good times and bad.  You see, it can be downright intimidating thinking about how you might gain influence in someone's life.  But, when you strip it down to it's barest essentials, it's simply earning someone's trust.  


An easy way to determine how you might gain someone's trust (and earn influence in their lives) is to ask yourself this question:  "Who do I allow to have influence in my life, and why do I allow it?"  Often times, answering that one simple question is enough to let us see how we can become a trustworthy and influential person in others' lives, for the sake of eternity.