Leadership is taught through positive examples and negative ones.  I am learning from both almost everyday of my life.  Jesus tells us in Proverbs 27:17 “That iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”  In your life and mine we must recognize who is an iron sharpener and who is sand paper. I have compiled five characteristics of a weak leader or influence.  These are my opinion, not from The Word of God.  See if you don’t agree.

#1 Slow to Act

Weak leaders know what has to be done, but hesitate and procrastinate when the pressure is on to make a decision.  Getting counsel, praying through, or getting ducks in a row is important, but a leader knows instinctively when to act and when no immediate action is needed.

#2 Allows lack of Resources to guide Decisions

Ronnie Floyd told me “Money gives you options” which is exactly the truth.  What Ronnie also said, is: don’t let your faith decrease based on economic issues.  The church’s strength will never be determined by it’s economic strength.  A marriage’s strength can never be determined by it’s bank balance.  Your child’s possible impact on this world can never be determined by his or her neighborhood.  Leaders see through the shallowness of resources and makes it happen anyway!

#3  Rejects Responsibility

Nothing frustrates me more than asking a question about how something works and someone says “I don’t know, I have never done that before.”  In day and age of Google anyone can at least get an idea of where to look.  Shucking responsibility or putting blame on someone else for failures in your area is not leadership!

#4 Loves Positional Leadership

Anyone that tells you they are a leader probably is not a leader.  Reminding others of your position should be a reminder to you that you are not a leader. Leadership is not a position it is a possession.

#5 Passive-Aggressive Disrespect

A responsibility is given and this kind of leader finds a direct or indirect way to avoid obeying.  They also criticize their leader to their spouse, close friends, or co-workers.  Sullenness is not a leadership trait.  This is the SIGN you are losing leadership influence.  

Let me know what you agree with or what you may disagree with on this list?  Also, BE A LEADER!