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Six Ways to Earn the Right to Lead

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Leadership =

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RESPECT

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Establishing Respect

Proverbs 10:9

Proverbs 29:23

Proverbs 25:15

Proverbs 14:22

Proverbs 11:16

Proverbs 3:4-6

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Proverbs 10:9 Integrity

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Proverbs 29:23 Humility

2. We earn respect through humility.

Proverbs 29:23 (Good News) “Arrogance will bring your downfall but if you’re humble, you will be respected.” The Bible also says, “Clothe yourselves in humility”. If you want to dress for success, that’s a good way to dress. Just about the time I think I’ve got it all together, God pulls the rug out from under me. It’s no problem at all for God to humble you. You can either humble yourself or He will humiliate you. Those are the options.

I remember hearing about a school principal one time who made a major mistake and everybody in the school knew about it. He thought, “I’m not going to apologize to everybody. I’d be embarrassed and go down in the kids’ eyes.” Then he changed his mind. So he spoke over the intercom to the entire school and said, “I made a mistake and I apologize. I want to ask this whole school to forgive me for this decision.” He became the most honored principal of that school, simply because the teachers and the kids were so unused to having someone admit it when they were wrong. The kids went up to him saying, “I just wish I had a father like you. I wish I had a dad who could admit it when he was wrong.” The Bible says, “Before honor is humility.” So, when we admit we’re wrong, rather than being downgraded in people’s eyes, we’re raised in people’s eyes.

Ask: Have you ever admitted that you were wrong? What are some cultural/family/experience barriers to admitting fault? What can make this easier? What are other ways you can demonstrate humility?

boat on sea The Wolf / Foter / CC BY

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Proverbs 25:15 Dependability

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Proverbs 14:22 Right Priorities

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Proverbs 11:16 Generosity

5. We earn respect through generosity.

Proverbs 11:16 declares, “He who gives generously to the needy and shows kindness will be powerful and respected.” The fact of life is, no one is ever honored for what they’ve received. They always are honored for what they give. We’re never honored for what we keep, what we get, but what we give away.

Andrew Carnegie once wrote down some goals and when he died they found them in his desk: “I’m going to spend the first half of my life making all the money that I can and I’m going to spend the second half of my life giving it all away.” And he did. As a result, his name is still known years and years later. Generations later.

There’s only one problem with that philosophy. Nobody knows when they’re going to die. How are you going to know when to start giving away? How does he know when he’s at the halfway point? Do your given’ while you’re livin’ then you’re knowin’ where it’s goin’. When it comes to giving, some people stop at nothing.

Ask: Who do you know who is generous with their time or resources? What can you learn from them? What can you generously offer to others?

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Proverbs 3:4-6 Spirituality

6. We earn respect through spirituality.

You earn respect by making God the priority in your life and getting close to Him. Proverbs 3:4-6 (Living Bible) “If you want favor with God and man and a reputation for good judgment and common sense, then trust the Lord completely. In everything you do put God first and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success.” Notice it says, “If you want favor with man as well as with God…” When you put God first in your life, it not only gives you favor with God but it gives you favor with man. People are drawn to those who naturally love the Lord, those who are naturally in love with Jesus Christ.

These are the six areas that produce respect. We earn respect through integrity, humility, generosity, spirituality, dependability, and living by priority. These are the issues. Twenty years from now what are people going to remember about you? Leadership is influence, but you cannot lead without these issues. They are the basis to build respect. When you have the respect of people, people will follow you anywhere.

sunrise Imtiaz Tonmoy / Foter /CC BY

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How are you doing?

Integrity

Humility

Dependability

Right Priorities

Generosity

Spirituality