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Danny Mequet

As leaders, we often hear “you must lead yourself before you can lead others.” This is a true statement, but learning how to practically live this out can be challenging. In order to help bring clarity to this sometimes ambiguous statement we are going to look at three different areas in which we must grow in order to effectively lead others.

1) Character
As leaders, we must understand that who we are is more important that what we accomplish. Our talents and charisma can carry us to certain levels of successful leadership, but real influential leaders are defined by the core of who they are.

“Guard you heart, for out of it comes the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Character is the “heart” of who we are. If our heart is not aligned with who God has called us to be then we will not be able to successfully lead others.

2) Purpose
Our purpose has more to do with what God has called us to do and can only be addressed when our character lines up with who God has called us to be. As you lead yourself you must begin to make strides towards accomplishing what God has uniquely called you to do.
In order to fulfill your purpose you must:
1) Find your purpose
2) Set goals to reach your purpose
3) Work towards your purpose

“Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained” Proverbs 29:18

Find God’s purpose for your life, set the necessary goals and work towards it so that you can lead others to fulfill their purpose.

3) Relationships
Once we work on developing our character and purpose we can begin to develop the relationships that will allow our influence to increase. As leaders, we must understand that “leaders must accomplish things through, with and for people, and that can happen only with the ability to build relationships.” (Launching a Leadership Revolution; Brady & Woodward).
As leaders, the most valuable resource we have is our influence, and that influence is only gained when we understand the importance of valuing people. God gives us the greatest example of value when He told us in 1 John 4:19, “We love, because He first loved us.” If you put others first then you will be given influence.

God has called us to be people of influence and the only way we can become what God has called us to become is to lead ourselves. Now that you have seen 3 areas you must lead yourself in you can begin the journey of building your influence so that you can build God’s Kingdom.

Questions for reflection
• Why do you think it is important to lead yourself before you can lead others?
• Of the 3 areas we must lead ourselves in, what is the most challenging one for you? Why?
• What will you do to begin to lead yourself better in your character, purpose and relationships?

*Several of the ideas in this article were adapted from Launching a Leadership Revolution by Brady and Woodward.