What Are The Hallmarks of A Great Leader?

Joshua, son of Nun, and all the people were camped at Acacia. Joshua sent out two spies. No one knew that Joshua sent out these men. Joshua said to them, “Go and look at the land, especially the city of Jericho.”

So the men went to the city of Jericho and stayed at the house of a prostitute named Rahab.

(Joshua 2:1 ERV)

When Joshua was leading the Children of Israel into the promised land, the first city they had to conquer was Jericho. Joshua, the new leader decided to send out two spies to go and assess the land, to see how best they could capture the city.

Joshua did not broadcast the news to the people that he was sending out the spies. No one knew that he had sent out these men. From this story we can learn several hallmarks about a great leader:

1. A Great Leader Knows When to Speak

There is a time and a season for everything, including a time to speak and a time to be silent (Ecclesiastes 3:7). When an injustice is taking place a great leader knows that they must speak to defend the poor and the needy:

Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Help people who are in trouble. Stand up for what you know is right, and judge all people fairly. Protect the rights of the poor and those who need help.

(Proverbs 31:8-9 ERV)

2. A Great Leader Knows When Not to Speak

A great leader knows that there is a time to be silent. This is especially true when your enemies are mocking you, you don’t always have to defend yourself; a great leader will leave it to God to defend them.

When the Assyrians invaded Judah and Senneacherib king of Assyria sent his commander to go and talk to the three officials from Jerusalem, the commander was mocking the God of Israel and told the people of Judah not to believe Hezekiah when he said that God would deliver them.

But King Hezekiah instructed his officials and the people to be silent and not to say anything, instead they took their troubles to the Lord:

But the people were silent. They did not say a word to the commander, because King Hezekiah had commanded them, “Don’t say anything to him.”

Isaiah 36:21 (ERV)

3. A Great Leader Knows That You Have to Study

A great leader knows that even though God may give you an assignment, you don’t just jump into it straightaway. Like Joshua and Moses before him, you have to spy out the land, or in our modern day parlance, carry out a thorough research. Research will ensure that you know what you are going into so that you can be better prepared to carry out whatever assignment is ahead of you. God tells us to study to increase our skill:

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth

(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

So What Are the Hallmarks of a Great Leader?

1. A great leader knows when to speak.
2. A great leader knows when not to speak.
3. A great leader knows that you have to study.

There are other hallmarks of a great leader so watch out for Part 2 as we continue our study in the Book of Joshua.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, please help me to be a great leader. Help me to know when to speak and when to be silent. Please help me to know when to study and when to act in Jesus name, amen.

Listen to Message

You can also listen to this message on YouTube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBGqB6a8iSU

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After the idea, then the research

Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, His wondrous works in the deep (Psalm 107:23-24)

I have decided to use the scripture above because it encapsulates what has been happening in my life since I decided to follow the Lord’s leading and go into business.

After I got the idea to go into business, I went about to research what business entails. I read ‘Run your own business’ by Kevin Duncan. This is a step-by-step little book on how to go about establishing your own business. I followed the practical tips contained in the book including information about how to set up a spreadsheet of current and prospective clients. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to teach themselves how to run a business.

I have found that when God gives you an assignment, He provides the resources (people, ideas, money etc.) to help you to fulfil it. Within about two weeks of me getting the idea about running my business, I was on the bus going home one evening after work and I was speaking to a very friendly polished looking young man about his day. It transpired that he had a very tough upbringing and grew up with insecurity and fear. I commented that you would not think he had gone through such an ordeal and still have his positive attitude.

He informed me that a few years ago a family friend recommended him to a holistic practice which is run by unconventional doctors. He explained that the doctors address the psychological and spiritual aspects of their clients and not just focus on the symptoms of the problem which is what we often see on the outside. He told me that his life has changed dramatically from the person he once was, and he is a new man.

I then told him about my idea, that I am setting up a spiritual coaching business that will first and foremost look at the inner state of my clients and help them to discover who they really are and what they had been created to do by connecting their spirits back to God their Creator. This man was really encouraging and told me that with the way things are going in the world with all the negativity that is around, this business will definitely be needed in the years ahead. I also asked the man how I can go about finding clients and he suggested I start a blog, hence this blog.

As soon as I heard this, my spirit perked up and after the man left the bus, an idea came to me straightaway, to write a book on ‘How to Discover Your Life’s Purpose Through Dreams’. I immediately got my iPad out and the result is my first book which will be launched in June. This conversation took place in February and by March the first draft of the book was ready, that is how fired up I am.

After this, I also set up my profile on Linkedin and sent a few messages to people about my idea. I received positive responses straightaway and met with people the following week who were so interested in the idea. Most people have heard of Life Coaching, but Spiritual Life Coaching is not something that you hear about everyday. Therefore from the little research I have done with people, I know the need is certainly out there.

So my advise is, whatever business idea God gives you, do your research, and the best research I know and have been using, is talking to people, because they are the ones we are here to serve. Sign up on my website to receive your free copy of my first book: www.blessingcoaching.com

With love,

Blessing