Promoting Personal Leadership In The New Normal

1. Introduction

The emergence of COVID-19 has launched the entire world into an experience we now know as a new normal. This simply put, implies a complete change in the way we used to do things. This new normal means that as leaders we have to think of carrying out our operations in a different way in order to help our audience or congregation to become more effective.

Becoming a better church begins from us as leaders. Personal or self- leadership as a vital concept in leadership is where we must keep our lens on. I Timothy 3:5 gives us a biblical foundation to work with: “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” (NIV).

The lessons drawn from Paul’s admonition are the following:

• The journey of leadership begins from the within of a leader.
• Self-leadership demonstrates deep sense of integrity beyond public sphere.
• If you can’t lead yourself, you can’t lead others successfully.

We are left at the end of the day with a probing question, “If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?” (I Tim. 3:5 NIV). Personal leadership is very important in the total concept of leadership.

2. 4 Cardinals of Leadership

1. Self Awareness: This has to do with the leader understanding himself – strengths, weaknesses, giftedness, and calling. Self- identity is very important in the life of a leader to be able to function well and serve Christ in the midst of the people. He will also need to understand how his behavioural dynamics work and how it affects the health of the Church. (Rom. 8:11; I Cor. 15:10).
2. Communication: Leaders are expected to be good communicators. This does not mean that they have to be orators. They should develop skills in communicating organizational goals, inspire trust and teach the undiluted word of God with the application of relevant resources and platforms. (Col. 4:6; Eph. 4:29).
3. Influence: Leadership is all about influencing others to become what God wants them to be. Sheryl Sandberg submits that, “leadership is about making others better as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your absence”. Jesus is the ultimate model of leadership, His influence lasts eternity. Great leaders persuade, promote and delegate to achieve a worthwhile purpose. They also model what they desired to see in others. (Matt. 5:16).
4. Learning Agility: Leaders are learners any day any time. Basically, a leader’s edge over his followers is his aptness to learn well. Agility in learning is not about exposure to every new idea but to be dynamic enough to adopt, adapt and implement lessons learnt for the growth of the organization and members. The leader knows when to change course and help others to do so in matters that require such changes. (II Tim. 2:15).

3. 3 Ps of Self Leadership

For the sake of this discussion we shall examine three realms of promoting sound leadership in the new normal. These are Personal Level, Private Level and Public Level:

1. Personal Level

• I Tim. 3:2-3 – Here, various values and virtues that are inevitable for leaders are enumerated. These are qualities that wise leaders should use as benchmarks to judge their actions and inactions daily. Immediately you see a leader especially church leaders these traits should be personified:
• Pronounced traits:
  1. Discipline
  2. Tolerance
  3. Integrity

2. Private Level

• I Tim. 3:4-5 – Great leaders in the new normal must not joke with their relationships, especially at home. Many leaders are so busy to build a great organization and church but failed woefully at home. For Christian leaders to fail at home, it spells doom for the outside engagements.
• Pronounced Traits:
  1. Responsible
  2. Faithful
  3. Discipline

3. Public Level

• I Tim. 3:6-7 – Positive public image is a great wealth to be possessed by any leader. For us as church leaders projecting Christlike character of love, peace, honesty and service are great images to present to the troubled world. People love to follow leaders who are empathic and can be trusted.
• Pronounced Traits:
  • Relational
  • Respected
  • Temperate

Concluding Reflections

Leadership begins not with demonstrating charisma in public or exercising dominion over people but by first having control over self. It begins by leading oneself. Conquering oneself is very important to be able to lead others well. We are admonished by Jesus that, “In your patience possess ye your souls.” (Luke 21:19 KJV).

Our humble prayer should be, LORD JESUS AS I LEAD OTHERS LEAD ME. HELP ME FATHER NOT TO LOSE MY HEAD IN THE CROWD. HELP ME SO THAT I CAN REPRESENT YOU WELL IN JESUS’ MIGHTY NAME.