The Reins of Leadership.

Sometimes people are pushed and pushed and pushed to take the reins of leadership. The pressure to do this over time causes them to finally take the reins but in the wrong way. Rash decisions are made and unintended hurt is caused. Why? Because the people that were pushing them to take the reins never taught them the dangers of leading the wrong way. Maybe, because they didn’t understand those dangers themselves.

Sometimes people take the reins of leadership when they should have left them alone. In their desire to no longer be accountable and get their way, they take matters into their own hands, and make power moves that they think are major victories, but in the end those power moves turn out to cost them more than the victories were worth. When leaders push and manipulate to get their way a deception enters into their hearts. A deception that makes them feel powerful and on solid ground until the negative consequences of their choices knock on the door for a paycheck.

Sometimes people refuse and refuse to take the reins of leadership, and they allow the path the horses want to take determine the direction they will take. In their minds they think they will not be responsible for what happens. This always wrecks the wagon, and the blame for the wreck falls at their feet – even if they deny it. Because – as John Maxwell says – “everything rises and falls on leadership.”

Sometimes people who should take the reins hand them over to people who do not have the expertise to handle the navigating of the horses much less the ability to make sure the people in the wagon are unharmed as they make their journey.

But sometimes…

There are people….

….who know that they were born to take the reins, and so they do. They understand communication, they understand the impact of every choice that they make, they pray for wisdom in their choices as they attempt to make sure the wagon stays on the right trial, and do not get distracted from the over all purpose of the journey. A purpose that allows them not to get side tracked by other trails that would take them away from that purpose. Leaders who are experts in navigating the good times, and the bad. Who listen, and are always learning how to be better, how to lead better, and how to make better decisions. These are the leaders that need to have the reins because they have a respect for the power that the reins are built to control. They are the best kind of leaders, and all leaders should strive to be like them.