Gaining Leadership

Most everyone knows that position is not really an indication of
leadership. Even with position people still are led by others
without. Leadership is gained by influence that is gathered over
time. Strength of personality can bump a person into leadership
ahead of the time curve but the real power comes over time, thru life
circumstances particularly in a crisis. And often one has the
leadership deeply given by others and yet can mostly seem incognito
to those looking outside in.

David, the man after God's heart, the killer of Goliath, is well
known. There is mention of David's mighty men off and on throughout
his story. But mostly they are nameless and not the focus. Then, in
the last words about David is this list of men, the key three who
evidently changed the world thru their valiant and courageous refusal
to concede battles and land to the enemy. These men turned the tide
by their valor. Battles were won, troops were filled with courage
and the nation of Israel was different. Yet, they mostly lived
beneath the radar of David.

That they had leadership is obvious. The very fact that the troops
rallied around them shows influence. The fact that the battles were
turned because of them shows their influence. Maybe courage is one
key component of leadership, one of the traits that draw others and
spread influence. Certainly title is not!

Leaders are everywhere courage is found. Leaders are everywhere a
vision of what must be is lived. Leaders are everywhere one person
chooses to take a stand. Leaders are everywhere, even when no one
knows their names.