Leadership begins with You

Many people talk about leadership and how to lead others. Tons of books with lists and do’s and do not's have been written. Many of which are fantastic, don’t get me wrong. However, can one truly ever lead others if they never lead themselves? I think you’d only be fooling yourself if you answer yes.

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase, “You cannot lead someone past where you are yourself not willing to go” or some variation of that. So true!

Think about this for a minute. The Apostle Paul actually gives Timothy a list of things that Pastors and deacons should have or be before being considered. The majority of those lists involve leading oneself, having control over external and internal things. Only after some mastery of this can one truly start leading others.

John Maxwell, a leadership guru, has written many books on leadership. One of his first books: Developing the Leader Within You, is a great example on this concept and it’s obviously not a new one either.

Take away: Are you interested in leading others? Have you been in leadership positions and failed? Ask yourself, and be truthful, am I leading myself? How can you “preach” a concept and not be doing it yourself? Start with you.

“Be” the person you want first, then share it with others.