An old Chinese proverb says, “If you want five years of prosperity, grow grain. If you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want one hundred years of prosperity, grow people.”
I believe leaders are both naturally gifted to lead and developed and mentored to lead. We must work to grow leaders for our future. To do this we will need a transformational leadership style. Transformational leadership requires one on one, knowledgeable investment in people. It finds ways to grow junior leaders for future challenges and demonstrates a vital personal connection between the leader and lead.
Why is this important for us? To become a transformational leader takes an intentional, time-invested approach to developing subordinates. This is not easy. It is a challenge in the present, fast-paced operational environment. Much is required from our leaders during war. We must accomplish more with less. We must work within the system in which we operate.
Let’s define leadership.
In Army Field Manual (FM) 22-100, “Army Leadership: Competent, Confident, and Agile,” there is a process that could be simplified as “Be, Know, Do.” To quote from the field manual, “Leadership is influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization.”
Harry Truman once said, “Leadership is the art of getting people to do what they don’t want to do and like it.”
Napoleon was known to say, “Leaders are dealers in hope.”
Even Attila the Hun understood the focus of leadership, “Chieftains who meet their Huns needs, even at their own expense, are honorable leaders.”
Who is the one person who has most influenced your life? Was it your dad, teacher, coach, non-commissioned officer (NCO), commander, friend, or someone else?
Jesus the Nazarene was a world-class leader. He provides the spiritual premise for true leadership. Mark 1:17 says, “Come, follow me! And I will make you fishers of men.” In 1 Corinthians 4:11, Paul wrote, “Follow me, as I follow Christ.”
Jesus displayed all the attributes of a transformational leader. He developed his followers into leaders and role models for others to then follow. Leaders raise future leaders and invest themselves in those they are responsible for.
Dear God, please make me like Ezra, well versed in the Scriptures and bold to seek the favor of those in authority in order to do your will. By the power of Jesus Christ within me, please make me a transformational leader.
“This Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him. Some of the Israelites, including priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers and temple servants, also came up to Jerusalem in the seventh year of King Artaxerxes.” (Ezra 7:6–7)