Lead with Vision, Not Control: How to Inspire, Not Just Instruct

I have been studying leadership since I was in my early twenties. I was the guy who when to Books-A-Million and LifeWay to buy every John C. Maxwell book in publication. I learned about the 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. The Law of the Lid is one that has challenged me to always go to the next level. Because of this book, I was introduced to several other books about leadership. So, I have been studying it and practicing it for over (20) years in several different capacities.

One of my favorite books on leadership right now is probably “Love Leadership” by John Hope Bryant. In his book, he suggests that the typical form of “ruling” by fear does more harm than good. So why not try a loving approach? Here is one of his quotes: 

“When people lead from the perspective of fear, they can be intimidating. They’re not open. They don’t listen. They’re not willing to admit when they’ve made a mistake. It’s always someone else’s fault.   That kind of leadership model is not sustainable. It might produce decent performance over a short period of time. But I don’t think you’re a leader when you lead through fear—you’re a manager.” ~ John Hope Bryant 

I agree with him on this point. One of the problems that I have seen over the years is that some people who hold these positions or have aspirations to be in these positions do not have the heart of a leader. Some want status through having a title because they have or will have perceived power, some want the money, some feel like it gives them a sense of value in society and that they will be looked upon differently due to this position, and some simply want the license to boss people around because they don’t want to do the work. I have worked for or worked with all of these spirits over the years. However, I have had very few leaders who have led me. I will tell you that I have never forgotten the difference between the leaders and the managers.

Leaders encourage. Leaders teach. Leaders help others. Leaders develop other leaders. Leaders are visionaries. Leaders understand the humanity of others. Leaders understand that people are led and things are managed. Leaders know the people they lead as individuals. The Jesus of the Gospels led people. When a leader does not value the humanity of another person or groups of people, it is easy to look at the person or groups of people as nothing more than numbers or things. From experience, this is why some people hate to work for certain people. They understand they have a manager over them and not a leader. So that individual will be met with even more resistance. I have been around so-called leaders or want to be leaders that people flat out hated to be around.

If anyone reading this aspires to be in leadership or is already in a leadership position, I implore you to remember that people are embodied spirits wrapped in a human body just like you are. On an organizational chart, you may be in a hierarchical position over them, but in the words of my parents, you are at the same position at the foot of the cross. They are your equal as humans so treat them as such. They are NOT things to be managed. Study the very definitions of a leader vs. a manager. You may be surprised. I always want the people that God has me to lead to understand that they are being led by someone who loves them and respects their humanity and wants the best for them. I hope those who are reading will do the same when given the opportunity in life. If you are reading this post and not in an official capacity of leadership, remember that you can lead from the crowd. Be who the Creator created you to be. Watch the difference in how you feel and how others see you.