The best leaders take a personal interest in those they lead.  These leaders help people discover their gifts so they can play to their strengths and achieve goals that enrich their lives while contributing to the needs of others.

While most people have some general sense of direction and purpose, they often lack the impetus and focus they need to produce consistent, top-notch results.  We all need to be challenged and encouraged to do our best.  We also need to know that those leading us care about what we care about, so we feel motivated to give our best efforts.  As Christians we want to know that our leaders in the Church are working to please God.

Saint Paul often encouraged the Church with his words, including these:  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23, NIV).

Do you engender trust and confidence in those you lead?

Consider the great leaders in the Bible: Moses, Joshua, David, Nehemiah, Jesus, and the apostles.  They all communicated clearly that they cared deeply about pleasing God as well as the wellbeing of those they led, and they all were willing to make sacrifices to prove it.

Who do you know that has modeled this kind of leadership in your life?  What qualities did they possess that inspired you?  How did you know that they truly cared?  How can you follow their lead?

When leaders reveal God’s heart by genuinely caring about the people they lead, this promotes cooperation, synergy, enthusiasm, and growth.