John Stanko

“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them" - Jeremiah 1:17.

Jeremiah spoke as a prophet to Judah. He had no official title, position, or authority, except that he carried the word from God concerning what God's people should do at that point in history. Jeremiah had nothing but his credibility and God's endorsement as he stood before the people, most of whom had little interest in what he was saying. Yet the Lord told him to stand up and speak without fear. Seldom are leaders without any leadership authority like Jeremiah, yet they are commissioned with the same task of standing in front of people and followers and using words to persuade them to take a particular course of action or adopt a certain attitude. At the end of the day, the leader can coerce the people to comply but that is the least effective way to produce heart change among followers.

LEADERSHIP STEP: Leaders who use a command-and-rule style get results, but the results stop when their authority stops or the pressure is removed. Your Step today is to examine if you have influenced or controlled people as you lead. If you are afraid to stop controlling because people may not do what you desire, then you are using power to get your way. In that case, it's time to address your fear and adjust your style, using power to influence rather than rule.