Basic Leadership 101 part 1 | What is a leader?
May 7, 2025 | by Teacher Michael Carter
Leadership is an inexhaustible subject.
There are tons of books written on the subject, and more are being printed. This is because, in corporate America, the Ma and pop store, government, community organization or in the church, leadership is paramount to its success. The success of any organization rises and falls on the shoulders of its leaders. Therefore, leadership development is necessary for personal and organizational success.
However, in many cases people don’t see themselves as a leader and may not act in certain opportunities, situations or challenges.
When in reality, God placed in everyone a leadership spirit. Having a leadership spirit was a necessary component in creating and man to represent God and do what he was purposed to do in the planet. We all were born with a inner leadership spirit.
We all were created and designed by God with an innate leadership spirit. Genesis 1:26
This dominion is this text is our leadership spirit in action stewarding over the planet. Our leadership and dominion is us stewarding over the resources in the planet to facilitate our lives. However, it’s not a dominion over people. Notice in Genesis 1:26 the absence of people on that list. The word dominion means to subjugate. However, God never intended people to subjugate other people.
Unfortunately, in many cases the leadership spirit placed in humanity has been perverted by the enemy, causing them to attempt to have dominion over other people. It’s a lust for power that’s plaguing our planet. If we pause and look at the worlds conditions, we will find this perversion of our leadership spirit at the root of many of our problems globally and in our social order. The perversion of that inner leadership spirit incorrectly desire to exercise dominion or to subjugate people. It’s a self exalting power move. Its sin and not God’s will. And yes, it is another subject for another time.
Know that our leadership spirit that undergirds our positions is not purposed to Lord over people or abuse them; but to serve, impact our world and empower people. Matthew 20:25-26. Many of us were taught leaders are born. I often wonder if that statement was a tactic to suppress our leadership spirit and except what and who they define as leaders. Nonetheless, the statement simply is not true. Resolve in your thinking that we all were born with an inner leadership spirit. It was a necessary design when God created us to bring leadership to the planet. Psalm 8:3-6
However, often people simply do not tap into their inner leadership spirit.
In some cases, people are mentally programmed to not see themselves as a leader. And possibly because we live in a society that’s geared towards developing followers where people often are sheep, acquiescing to the norm and others agendas. They don’t want to upset the norm, don’t venture pass the regular expectations, don’t take risk or stretch themselves. And in some cases it’s a matter of fear or being indifferent. So often that inner leadership spirit remains dormant. Yet, in many cases as life would have it, life itself happens and our leadership spirit is provoked and awakened.
Sometimes our inner leadership is provoked by a inner vision, task or condition that requires our action. Actually many leaders weren’t looking to lead, the circumstances demanded it. In many of those conditions their leadership spirit was awakened, not by choice but out of necessity. There leadership spirit was already there, it just needed a purpose, challenge, task or job to be awakened.
Thank about Rosa Parks. Her husband was considered a civil rights leader, not her. She was a seamstress that worked in the Civil Right community as a support person. But one day, she simply was not willing to comply with the racial conditions that demeaned and oppress them. All the time spent around those great leaders was mentoring and preparing her for that moment. She chose to not comply. In that very moment, her leadership spirit was awakened. It transformed the organization, her and her life in ways she did not expect. History tells the total story.
The awakening of our inner leadership spirit is the doorway to realizing our potential and fulfilling our purposes.
If you desire to provoke your inner leadership spirit, respond to that challenge or opportunity. Respond to that inner vision, calling idea that moves you out of your comfort zone. Your inner leadership spirit needs a job, task or challenge. Otherwise, it will remain dormant and you may not realize your full potential. No, leaders aren't born leaders. We all were created with a leadership spirit that simply need to be awakened and developed.
So what then is a leader?
We start by looking at what most believe to be leadership, but isn't.
- A leader is not a dictator nor are they the boss all the time
- A leader is not a manager who maintains
- A leader is not the one that is always in control, in charge of have a higher rank
- A leader is not the smartest among the group nor the one who knows the most
- A leader is not the one who makes all the decisions
Those are positions a leader may hold, but they do not make that person a leader.
This is evident when we look at our world, nation, government, organizations, and communities and yes, churches. Many have titles and positions, but there is little Godly leadership. And in some cases, they don’t display Godly leadership traits or character. I’ve met people who easily aced a promotional exams, but couldn’t lead anything with a heartbeat. So they simply managed.
What then is leadership?
Most scholars identify a leader as one who influences others to accomplish set goals. This definition of a leader is typically correct from a worldly point of view. However, it’s half true because its focus is generally related to the management, growth and success of the organization and not necessarily the growth of personnel. That is why it’s partially incorrect and not a kingdom leadership model.
Besides, if all of your influence is associated with organization goals only, you will be the only one leading. And that actually weakens the organization because some are not realizing their full potential and growing to present their measure that impacts the organization.
That may be fine in the natural world, but it’s not the best and it’s not kingdom leadership.
Keep in mind, Godly leadership is not just for church or spiritual affairs. It’s a kingdom principle that impacts every area of our lives, churches, society, government, communities, business, and social order. The absence of Godly leadership is one of the main reasons many nations, departments and organizations are failing, compromised or in a crisis today. They typically concentrate on selfishness and the success of the organization, opposed to the character and development of its greatest assets, people. Again, that weakens the organization. And as always, no matter the subject, God’s way is always going to be the best way to do things for overall success.
Godly leaders influence others to accomplish set goals while developing leaders.
This model of leadership is based on the biblical principle of discipleship and succession. Discipleship is the submitting of one to another’s teaching. Succession is the development and discipleship of others to know what, why and how you do what you do, developing your successor.
The intent is to replace yourself or move them into a place of leadership. In essence, Godly leaders produce leaders.
Godly leaders focused on the developing of those he leads as well as organizational vision. This strengthens the organization and facilitates the principle of discipleship and succession. It passes down organizational concepts, philosophies and culture. This maintains consistency and invites growth. And the mindset to develop leaders welcomes new ideas that stimulate innovation and growth.
Godly leadership is what makes Moses in the bible such a great leader.
Yes, God used him to galvanized and lead a nation out of Egypt. Yet, while doing so, he mentored Joshua into a great leader. When it came time to succeed Moses, he was prepared. Actually, it was Joshua who led them into the promise land, not Moses.
However, a Godly leader’s success depends on their maturation and skill development.
Consider David, he developed his skills. Psalm 78:70-72. Here David is mentioned as having terminated his reign. He had fed the people, according to the integrity of his heart, and was always disposed to do the will of God in the administration of the kingdom: and his hand being skillful in war, he led them out to victory against their enemies. David exposed himself to learning and training to perfect his skills as a leader.
Although we have an innate leadership spirit, it must be cultivated and developed.
Our success as leaders is defined by our ability to evolve and realize our God given potential to fulfilled purpose, plans and organizational goals. This is impacted by our desire to grow and evolve as a leader by availing ourselves to educational opportunities, mentorship. school, training, books and more. This takes intent, discipleship and a heart to be a forever learner.
Godly leaders understand this and are always looking for ways to grow and develop themselves and their skill set. And they make it a point to encourage others to do the same. Again, they desire to develop others as leaders.
Godly leader are transformational leaders.
While they influence others to accomplish organizations goals, they encourage and focus on their growth to develop leaders.
I do not believe that all leaders are born natural leaders. I believe that we all have leadership capacity and potential on the inside of us that simply needs to be awakened and developed. And that opportunities and challenges in life often provokes it.