Obligation to others is an Art of Leadership<\/p>\n
April 21, 15<\/p>\n
Max De Pree has done a masterful job in defining leadership qualities in<\/p>\n
Leadership is an Art.<\/em> He comes off more like a preacher who is dedicated to people and not things. I admired his passion for those who worked in his company. He got really into whom they were not just what he hired them for. It would be great if church leaders had the same passion for people and not what they can get out of people. There were so many points he hit on that are so important in leadership. One was that he defined integrity as, \u201cA fine sense of one\u2019s obligation.\u201d[1]<\/a> This really intrigued because we have an obligation to others and ourselves. And when this obligation is looked over integrity is thrown out the window and mistreatment begins. As a pastor it so disheartens to be around leaders who have no heart for others. It is getting more and more noticeable that some leaders lack a sense of obligation to others except when they are in the church. God has called us to an obligation to serve and to have integrity.<\/p>\n Another caveat by De Pree is \u201cliberating people to do what is required of them in the most effective and humane way.\u201d[2]<\/a> I think it so important in organizational structures to realize the talent that people have to let them lose to do it. Some organizations are afraid to let this happened because of the fear of them doing something better than themselves. I have had this happen to me so many times. Not allowing people to be free to do what God called them to do is not just a hurt to them but also a hurt to the church. God has created us to be a blessing to each other. Hindering people from doing all that God created them to do is a hurt to the church or any organization. \u201cThus, the leader is the \u201cservant\u201d of his followers in that he removes obstacles that prevent them from doing their jobs.\u201d[3]<\/a> This is why I love servant leadership. If you are so great then you should have more to give. I don\u2019t understand leadership that wants people to serve them. I go through the roof with that type of leadership in the church. De Pree was saying this within a business organization. Now if he understood this principle the church really should understand it. Some leaders put obstacles in their follower\u2019s way just so that they can control them. That is so sad. We have an obligation as leaders to serve those that follow us and that is to make available everything they need to succeed. \u201cThe sign of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the followers. Are the followers reaching their potential? Are they learning? Serving?\u201d[4]<\/a> Leaders should master the art of leading people to their greatest potential. We have an obligation to others to do this.<\/p>\n We have an obligation to others at our jobs, schools, churches and organization. Mastering the art of obligation to others is the sign of a true artist, leader, and Christian. May God bless us leaders to master this art!<\/p>\n [1]<\/a> Max De Pree, Leadership is an Art <\/em>[New York, New York: Doubleday, 1989], xvii.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Ibid., xviii-xix.<\/p>\n