Who Influences You?

Consider the following questions: Who influenced you the most when you were growing up? Can you think of someone who had a negative influence on your life? In what ways did that person affect the way you lead/influence others? How has Jesus influenced your leadership personally?

It's pretty obvious that we are influenced mainly by those with whom we have close relationships. I think of my parents, school teachers, and friends. Even my grade six vacation Bible school teacher has had a significant impact on my life. We lead based on how we were led or saw others lead. Never underestimate the influence you are having on each person you meet nor the impact of those with whom you spend most of your time. As someone once said: "You become like the 5 people you spend the most time with so choose carefully." Surround yourself with those who take you up, not down.

Considering the impact of relational influence, we must carefully choose friends and colleagues, both for ourselves and for our children. I close with the following Proverbs:

"The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray." (12:26)

"Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble." (13:20)

"Do not be a friend of one who has a bad temper, and never keep company with a hothead, or you will learn his ways and set a trap for yourself." (22:24-25)

[My next post will examine a key text on serving leadership.]