#4 Validate and Empower Leaders
Validate and Empower Leaders
People only follow those whom they perceive to be authorized or legitimate leaders. They must recognize your authority; otherwise, what you say will have little impact. Our district leadership empowered department heads to do their job without being undercut. This indicated to other people that you had the authority to make certain decisions and that the board would stand behind you.
Sometimes it seems that we have trouble releasing leaders to lead to their full capacity. We seem to fear that we may lose something in the process or that they may leave our ministry for other responsibilities. But training and releasing leaders into the harvest is one of the most valuable things a pastor can do.
Empowerment means giving people the authority to decide. This type of environment lets people you work with know that the powers that be trust you. This type of trust inspires us to be a better leader.
All leaders seek the validation and support of those above them. We want to be recognized as a legitimate and accepted leader. When we feel this acceptance it propels us to be more effective leaders so we can prove the validity of our leadership. This also inspires confidence in leaders.
On one occasion, during one of our camps, a lady stormed into the dining hall demanding to see whoever was in charge. They brought her to me even though Brother Tenney was sitting a couple of tables away from me because I was director of the camp. She was very rude, even to the point of using bad language, and threatening a law suit. I spoke with her and made an appointment with her later in the office. The matter was settled to the satisfaction of all parties. During all of this Brother Tenney never tried to take over nor did he later ask me how it all turned out. His confidence and trust was greatly appreciated.
- Cecil Daniels's blog
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