How Do You Spell Leadership? #5

Encourage!

The ability to encourage others is a fundamental part of leadership. This encouragement takes different forms according to the need that must be met. Notice, for example, 1 Thessalonians 5:14. "Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men" (KJV). Here we find that the unruly need to be warned, the feebleminded need to be comforted, the weak need to be supported, and leaders must be patient toward all men.

A boss can force someone to work with threats. However, a leader can make a person work because they want to . They come to appreciate and enjoy the work. I once read a story about how General Eisenhower would tell his officers to push a string which was on the table before them. Of course, the string would just pile up in front of them. Yet, when he told them to pull the string, it straightened out and followed along behind their hands. At this moment, Eisenhower would make his point about leading others. The ability to encourage others is a powerful part of the art of leadership.