By Ken Blue
Of all the management skills, leadership is the most difficult to define. What are the ingredients that make one a great leader? Many books are written on the subject, and we can memorize the steps, but many times something is lacking. We will let other wrestle for the answer.
This article is not a repeat of those oft published steps that one finds on the shelf. Rather, it is about two undeniable qualities, anyone can measure. They are simple, and to the point.
1. Leaders have followers. A large crowd does not mean great leadership. I have seen many leaders who were only “a flash in the pan,” or like “fourth of July fireworks.” In time their true character became evident, and the followers disappeared. So, a leader has followers.
2. The second test of leadership is how we respond in a crisis, or under pressure. Leaders do not blame others for their own lack of leadership. A crises brings out the best or the worst in us; Our true feelings, and character comes to the surface. Leaders are born, or hatched in the midst of a crises. The latent gift of leadership, may be dormant. If it is there, a crises, no doubt, will give it cause to emerge.
So, the two test of leadership, are, do you have a following, and how do you respond in a crises? These, you can see and judge; so can everyone else.
Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.