Have you ever heard the phrase, “too many chiefs and not enough Indians”?  It means too many people desire to be the “boss man/woman”, “top dog”, “head honcho”, “call the shots”, and a bunch of other idioms describing what they think of as “leadership”.

But here’s the reality:  GREAT LEADERS ARE GREAT FOLLOWERS!

Followers?  “But I thought good leaders show their authority—you know, ‘throw their weight around’ and let everyone know who’s in charge!”

Question—Do you enjoy following a leader like that?  Most of us don’t.  We may have to follow a leader like that if they’re our boss or in any position of authority over us.  But given the choice, we’d rather not.

Why?  Because we—

~feel “small” when they make themselves “big” in comparison to us

~don’t appreciate someone “lording” things over us

~feel uncomfortable around people with big egos

~don’t like being “used” for someone else’s agenda

~don’t feel like they care about us

~don’t really trust their authority—especially when it’s “all about them”!

Contrast this with a leader who FOLLOWS WELL.  A leader who follows well serves the entire group/team/organization/company well, and everyone in it knows it. 

Instead of “following”, only outwardly, because they have to, people wholeheartedly submit to the true influence of a great leader—one who understands that to lead well, we need to recognize and follow something greater than ourselves.

What does a great leader follow? They follow:

📍 The Lord’s Word and guidance—Prov. 3:5-6 advises us:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don’t lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways submit to Him, and He will direct your paths.” 

This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have and use our minds and understanding.  It means we shouldn’t depend on them—because they’re limited.  Only the Lord sees and understands the whole picture—which any leader needs for making the best decision and taking the best action.

📍 Good advice from ANY member of the group/team/organization–

    There’s a story in the Bible about when a top general in the Syrian army got leprosy.  He must have been a good leader, because even his foreign slave-girl cared enough about him to advise him to go seek help from the main prophet in Israel (Elisha).  As the excellent leader he was, he took her advice and went to Elisha for healing.  Then, even when he didn’t appreciate Elisha’s advice and was tempted to dismiss it, he listened to his servants’ wise counsel, followed Elisha’s instructions, and got healed!  (2 Kings 5)

📍 Truth— Even if it doesn’t fit their personal worldview or preferences, great leaders listen to and act on the truth, not their own emotional perceptions. 

📍 Plans, with flexibility whenever necessary— It’s been said that “if we fail to plan, we plan to fail.”  Yes, “In their hearts, people plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Prov. 16:9.  But that doesn’t mean, don’t plan at all!  It means:

 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Prov. 16:3

In other words, we need a plan to begin with!

📍 The rules– with integrity— Leaders who do the right thing, no matter what, are trustworthy.  Who wants to follow someone they can’t trust? If you want to be a great leader, be the one that followers can admire and be sure will keep them out of trouble!

📍 Wise counsel from trusted friends, mentors, and family— as with those within the organization—this “outside help” keeps the “ship” on course, and protects it from “shipwreck”.

“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they succeed.” Prov. 15:22

📍 Through– keeping their commitments and promises—This goes with integrity.  If we want followers, partners, clients, etc., to trust us, we need to actually DO what we promised to do—even when it gets a lot harder than we thought it would! In other words, be the one “…who keeps his promises even when it hurts.” Prov. 15:4 

📍 Their God-given dreams— Great leaders follow a vision much greater than themselves and their own narrow ambitions.  Others will follow a vision much greater than any one person and/or their agenda. 

“Where there is no vision, the people perish.”  Prov. 29:18

The word “perish” here, in Hebrew “pawrah”, implies a woman’s hair untied and blowing all over the place with no direction—not good for the hair, the woman, or any group.

📍 Their heart/gut/intuition– as long as it doesn’t contradict any of the above! 

Do you want to be a great leader?  Learn to follow well.  Ask yourself, “who or what do I need to start following/follow better today?”