We all buy the lie, “I have to have my life in order if I want people to follow me.” It’s this fear that if people know about our mistakes and sins that they’ll be too disgusted to give us the time of day.

The reality is that people aren’t looking for perfection, but someone that can introduce them to something bigger. To be that type of leader:

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH BRILLIANCE

Wisdom, insight, truth, accountability, we need it all and those are items that we cannot give ourselves. As leaders we need to constantly surround ourselves with people who are:

  • Smarter than us
  • Willing to speak into our lives
  • Examples of what and who we want to be
  • Introducing us to resources and people to help us succeed

Invite others into your life so that they can help you figure out when you need to:

  • Admit to your mistakes
  • Address conflict
  • Spend time on yourself

And just become a better human being. It also shows others that you are willing to listen and learn.

 

OWN UP TO YOUR MISTAKES

Are you afraid of what others will think if they knew you were wrong? Being vulnerable with others is scary but it can also be empowering.

The reason people stop following an individual is because what they are sharing is either:

  • Too impossible for them to achieve and it becomes demoralizing
  • Too polished and appear to be too good to be true

Letting others know your flaw, mess ups and mistakes give them permission to fail. It lets others know that you are still growing and learning. They’ll take solace in knowing they aren’t alone.

CONTINUE TO WORK ON YOURSELF

You are a work in progress. The moment you don’t feel like you have to learn or even have time to learn you should stop leading.

Leaders who are worth following are men and women who are constantly looking for the answers. That means they are diving deeper into their:

  • Field and discovering new trends 
  • Community around them so that they can learn more about who they serve
  • Relationship with God and the church so can remain humble and focused on what God has called them to do

Never stop working on yourself, share your learnings with the teens in your ministry and the volunteers who serve alongside you.

The more authentic and transparent you become about your mistakes and what you are learning the more people will be drawn to you. You’ll not only give them a leader they want but the one that they need.

How do you stay transparent and authentic as a leader?