Leaders Relate With People Who Are Not Their ‘Type’

The Art of Leadership
Some people are very conscious of their 'type' and it becomes very difficult for them to go out of their group. We see that in Apostle Peter. Peter was so rigid in his understanding of whom he was to lead that he restricted his ministry to a small group of Jews. But God had a bigger plan for him. God wanted him to reach many other people. Take a cue from this. Do not be myopic! Do not restrict yourself to only those like you. Remember that there are more people different from you than there are who are like you.

“And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.” Acts 10:28

A leader is someone who tries to get people to follow him. If you are a leader, you must make sure that you have people following you. Otherwise, you are not a leader. You must realise that your 'type' of person is a limited species upon this earth. You are not likely to find many people in your age group, with your background, your colour and accent.

If you want to succeed as a leader, you must realise very early that you need to be able to relate with all kinds of people, especially people who are not like you. You must be able to relate to the weak. You must be able to relate to the strong. Paul shares his testimony with us: to the weak you must become weak, and to the strong you must become strong.

“To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.” 1 Corinthians 9:22, 23

If I have been raised up to be a leader, you tell me how many people will have a similar background to what I have just shared with you? Not many! To become a leader of many people I must relate with people who do not have my background. Many of my friends have had a very different background. But I relate with them naturally and easily.

If you are a leader with a poor educational background, you must still be able to rise up and relate with all kinds of people, including the rich and educated people. You will definitely need some rich people to achieve what you are doing. Do not drive away all the educated people because of your lack of education. You can learn to relate to those who are far more educated than you. In fact, you can also educate yourself!

Do Not Be Surprised By Negative Traits
“Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?” John 10:32

We are fraught with many negative traits, as human beings. One such negative trait is ingratitude. Jesus experienced ingratitude. He was killed by an ungrateful mob of Jews. Every leader comes face to face with ingratitude. People are not grateful for the services you render them. It will not take you long to discover this. Many years ago, I found out that people whom I loved could turn around and hurt me. Men that I had trained did not remember that they had been helped. However, I have continued to believe in people and to trust people. I have no choice. If I begin to retaliate because of ingratitude, I will lose my place in the ministry.

After ministering for more than twenty years, I have seen pastors being run out of town by those they cared for. Jesus was murdered for His good deeds. He was exchanged for an armed robber. But he never responded to the evil spirit of ingratitude. Do not look to people for gratitude. A leader looks to God for rewards.

“Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Ephesians 6:8

The Scripture teaches that your rewards depend on God and not on the people you helped. God is the only one who can reward you adequately. Do not expect much from people; expect your rewards from God.

Do you consider yourself to be a leader? Ask yourself, “What type of person am I? What type of person am I not? Make a decision to relate with every type of person and it will be a blessing to you. We are not Jesus' type but He came all the way from heaven to earth to relate to us and to lead us back to heaven. Merry Christmas to you all!

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By Dag Heward-Mills