8 HABITS OF GENUINE LEADERS

A Reflection and Refraction on John 21:1-17

It has been a month since my first blog post about leadership in crisis. Nothing much has changed as we are still treading through the crisis caused by the CoVid-19 pandemic.

The news that I see in the social media or the internet continues to be very disheartening. However, the question that I have been asking in my heart: “What would Jesus have done if he was physically present with us?” has been answered in one very simple scene at the shore of Galilee as narrated in John 21:1-17.

From this narrative, Jesus displayed 8 responses that reflect the heart of genuine leaders. These are the following: (Please read the 4 previous posts for a closer look on each response.)

Genuine leaders CARE for their members. They prioritize the wellbeing of their members above all else.

Genuine leaders CONNECT with their members. They are intentional in reaching out to their members in whatever ways they can.

Genuine leaders CALM the crisis situation by keeping calm. They don’t panic and start pointing fingers. They exercise empathy while they assess the situation.

Genuine leaders COMMUNICATE with CLEAR instructions. They give instructions that are doable for the members, taking into consideration the current situation that they are in.

Genuine leaders COACH their members for lifelong learning. They do not focus on their self actualization, fame and power because their interest is in the development of their member’s full potential by honing them into the best person they can be.

Genuine leaders CELEBRATE the success of the members. They see their members’ success as their success. They are willing to sacrifice their time and own convenience to mentor their members.

Genuine leaders CORRECT members for RESTORATION not for condemnation. They know when to exercise justice and grace. They correct for the sole purpose of bringing their members into a higher level in both skills and character.

Genuine leaders COMMISSION and EMPOWER members to become leaders as well. They are not afraid to entrust their members with responsibilities and are always ready to catch them when they fall.

A crisis may not only be limited to a pandemic or disaster but in any event when the organization faces a situation that brings danger, trouble, instability or unpleasant changes. This is when the response of the leader or leadership team is very crucial to make or break the organization and its people.

In a smaller scale, a crisis can also happen to any member of the company such as a mistake, failure or family problems. In which the leader’s response may either make or break the member or the group as a whole.

Leaders play a very crucial role in a crisis situation. How leaders respond is not just a one-time act but it is a product of one’s principle and intuition. This being said, leaders can only care when caring has been a lifestyle. Leaders can only intentionally connect when reaching out to the members has been a usual practice. Thus, genuine leaders need to align their principles with Jesus’ and start practicing these acts until they become part of their lifestyle and habits. Only then, can they lead successfully in a crisis situation.

Are you a leader? If you are responsible for thousands, hundreds, tens, five or even one, then you are a leader. Start to develop these 8 habits now.

Genuine leaders follow their Master Leader – Jesus!

Mark 10:42-45 New International Version (NIV)

42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”