John Maxwell speaks often in his writings of 360 degree leadership. Leaders lead no matter where they are on the organizational chart. Read 1 Chronicles 11:1-3.

Saul, the king of Israel, and his sons had been killed in battle with the Philistine army. The people of Israel, knowing that David had been anointed the next king long before Saul’s death, came together and appointed him king of Israel. As the most influential man in the country, David was leading long before Saul’s death and long before the people appointed him king. David was a leader long before he had position or a title. Read more »

If a leader is to make changes in their work environment, the change will start within them and then spread to their environment. Read 2 Kings 22:10-23:25.

John Maxwell discusses how Josiah created public reform in Judah by first starting with personal renewal.

Throughout his 31 years of godly leadership, King Josiah wholeheartedly followed the Lord and devoted himself to leading the people well. His own spiritual passion soon began to influence Judah and eventually brought about public reform. Read more »

Jesus was a great servant leader, but He was also the Son of God. Do regular leaders, those of us that are ordinary in our gifts and talents, have a chance to measure up? Every Christian leader has the spirit of Christ in them and will make a choice concerning how to live and lead, serving others or serving self. Read 2 Kings 4:1-5:19.

Elisha’s ministry to the widow and to the Shunammite and her son are obvious examples of compassion and servant leadership. The same is true of the incidents concerning the stew pot, the feeding of the hundred and the healing of Naaman, the leprous commander of the Syrian army. Clear parallels exist between these miracles and those that Jesus performed. Read more »

Christian leaders should place a high value on servant leadership. The very name Christian was given to those who are followers of Jesus the Christ, the ultimate servant. Another example of a powerful leader living as a servant leader is found in 2 Samuel 9.

King Saul’s family line had been removed from the leadership of Israel by God for acts of disobedience committed by Saul. David replaced Saul as God’s anointed, serving as king of Israel. It would have been natural for David to make sure that there were no descendants of Saul left anywhere in the kingdom that may divide the loyalties of any Israelite. But David modeled servant leadership when he went a different direction and sought out those that may have been descendants of Saul to bless them. Read more »

As we transition from Samuel to other leaders in the book of 1 Samuel, it will be helpful to look at the difference between a real leader and the person that may be in charge. Some of the Biblical leaders that had positional authority were godly leaders but not all of them. A godly leader will demonstrate personal authority and the person in charge is generally granted positional authority. Some leaders will have both and some only one but if you must choose, choose personal authority. Read 1 Samuel 9, 10 and 13.

John Maxwell hits the nail squarely on the head concerning leaders and the person merely put in charge in his notes in The Maxwell Leadership Bible: Read more »