Developing Your Leadership Ability 5

Matt.4v19-20: Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men”. They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Acts 4v13: Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

Dearly Beloved, it’s time to start paying attention to your capacity to lead because it’s a major determinant of several things in life. From research, it has been noted that your level of effectiveness is directly linked to your leadership ability. This is why you need to do the kind of things that can grow your leadership ability. So far in this series, I have shared three powerful principles for developing your leadership ability and in today’s lesson, we shall be looking at key element. So without much ado, let’s examine it right away.

HOW TO DEVELOP YOUR LEADERSHIP ABILITY?
4. Being willing to take risk(s). A leader is a risk-taker and it takes courage to take risks. The Prodigal Son had guts that’s why he took the risk he took, i.e. by asking for his inheritance and also returning back home when he failed. When you look at the roll call of leaders, you will discover that they all took one form of risk or the other in order for them to develop their leadership capacity (1Sam.14v6). By the way, what is a risk? It’s a situation involving exposure to danger or the possibility of something bad happens. I know this may not sound reasonable but this is essentially what risk is. And in order to get a clearer picture of taking risks, I want you to consider the following in taking any risks:

– Take risk(s) in line with your purpose and destiny.
– Take risk(s) in line with your gifts/talents/abilities.
– Take risk(s) in line with God’s leading/convictions (Rom.8v14).
– Take risk(s) in line with your expertise/training.

So my dearly beloved, we are not just talking about taking a blind risk but taking a risk based on the above consideration. These are the kinds of risk that will help you develop your capacity to lead.
Leadership is a risky business! So are you taking any risks or playing things safe? At times, we often don’t accomplish our colourful destinies because of not being willing to take a risk. The time has come to change this attitude of not being willing to take a risk. It’s time to become a better risk manager! In order to do this successfully, you need to be:

– Willing to follow your convictions. Follow your heart and not your head (Gen.12v1-4).
– Willing to face the music, i.e. the consequences of your actions. Are you ready to die for what you believe in? (Esth.4v16).
– Willing to obey God (Acts 4v19: 5v29).
– Willing to pursue your vision/dreams (Acts 26v19).

My dearly beloved ones, these are some of the things that are expected of someone who is aiming to become a better risk manager. It’s time for you to rise up to this challenge! It’s time for you to give your leadership ability a chance to blossom and thrive! So go for it in Jesus name, amen.

Other Scriptural References: (Ruth 1v16-18; Dan.1v8; Num.13v30; Jos.1v6, 7, 9; 1Chro.22v13; Dan.3v16-18; Lk.15v11-12, 17; Matt.14v28-30).

Prayer for Today: Heavenly Father, I receive your help and courage in becoming a better risk manager in Jesus name, amen.

CONFESSION: I am as bold as a Lion. Therefore, I possess a courageous heart. I am willing to face my Goliath. I am ready to confront my Esau. I don’t just take any kind of risks, but I take safe and calculated risks. I take risks based on my convictions, analysis and leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, I will not fail because Jehovah is my wisdom and guide. As I grow in my capacity to take risks, my leadership ability gets stronger by the day in Jesus name, amen.