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Is your leadership enabling transformation? (102-5)
Written by Barry-Werner on January 1st, 2010. Posted in 1 Kings, 2 Corinthians, 2 Kings, Interpersonal Relationships, Mentor, New Testament, Old Testament, Relationships, Romans.
Often leaders are isolated. Being too alone, too isolated, has a world of pitfalls for a leader. As we leave 1 Kings, it will benefit any leader to take one more look at the importance of developing interpersonal relationships. Read 1 Kings 19:19-21.
This passage marks a permanent transition in the lives of two men. When Elijah approached Elisha they both knew that their lives would never again be the same. Elijah became a mentor and Elisha his disciple. The relationship continued to grow until Elijah was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind. After years of walking together, Elisha witnessed his master’s glorious departure, took up Elijah’s cloak, and inherited a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:1-15).
Relationships should benefit all who are involved in them. The Bible deals throughout its pages with the manner in which God-human and person-person relationships work to the benefit of all concerned. In fact the most highly acclaimed Biblical leaders built relationships that helped their followers grow. Think for a moment of Jesus and His disciples, Moses and Joshua, Paul and Barnabas, Paul and Timothy, and Elijah and Elisha. All of these leader/follower relationships led to a transformation in the lives of those involved.
Transformational leadership occurs when one or more persons engage with others in such a way that leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality. Even when the purpose of each may start out separate, in the case of transformational leadership, the individuals become fused. Their influence links and they share mutual support and a common purpose. Transformational leadership ultimately becomes a source of power that raises the level of human conduct and ethical aspiration of both leader and follower – there is a transforming effect on both.
God is a personal being and paid a great price to have a relationship with each of us through the atoning acts of Jesus Christ. If you don’t know that story read the book of Romans in the Bible. God wants His relationship with us to be transformational in our lives. He wants this relationship in turn to be made visible in our relationship with others. Savvy leaders understand that the better their relationship with God, the more effective their leadership.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
