Why should your team follow you? (79-3)
Whether stated or not, your team members have the question “Why should I follow you?” Leaders go on display before they ever get the chance to display their vision. Once followers gain confidence in the leader, there is a much better chance they will feel confident about the vision. Read Judges 6:1 – 8:35.
Gideon had seven qualities that attracted people to him as a leader:
- Calling – Gideon had lived in fear, doubted himself, and asked for multiple signs to confirm his mission. Once he embraced his calling, he became a man of boldness and passion. When a leader has a clear calling and fully commits to that calling, it becomes attractive to people that consider joining their team.
- Insight – God was very gracious to give Gideon insight into the weak hearts of the Midianites. By the time Gideon called his men to battle, he fully realized God had assured him of the victory. When a leader with insight and vision sees what lies ahead, it is inspiring to their team.
- Charisma – when Gideon invited the people of the tribe of Ephraim to join in pursuing the Midianites, they reacted angrily. But Gideon helped them see the significance of their role by reminding them that they had captured and killed the princes of Midian. People follow leaders who make them feel good about themselves.
- Talent – based on the angel calling Gideon a “mighty warrior” and instructing him to “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand” it seems likely that Gideon possessed both physical strength and courage. Teams are attracted to leaders with talent.
- Ability – Gideon had proven his ability before the Ephraimites got on board. Once in a great while, a leader shows their ability and then a team forms behind out of the strength of that display. It is more common for a leader’s ability to become evident to their team over time and then as respect builds the team builds.
- Communication Skills – whenever Gideon spoke to the people, whether it was 10 household slaves that were familiar with him or 32,000 troops that gathered before God pared down the numbers, people understood and eagerly followed. A leader who clearly communicates vision and calling will have success getting people to follow their leadership.
- Character – Gideon started out strong, standing up when others wouldn’t. He displayed courage in the face of incredible odds. It is interesting to note that he did display a character flaw when he created an idol from the spoils of war and erected it in his home town of Ophrah. He (probably) intended it as a memorial to mark the great victory God had given them but it did not turn out that way. “All Israel prostituted themselves by worshiping it there, and it became a snare to Gideon and his family.” Once Gideon realized the ephod was becoming an idol, he should have gotten rid of it immediately and demonstrated his loyalty to God. Every leader’s character will ultimately be judged by the entirety of their accomplishments not just the early “wins.”
Have you committed to the life journey as a leader or are you looking forward with anticipation to a point when you can rest on the accomplishments of the past? What is your plan to sustain godly character throughout your life?
