We like doing what people see because their approval is our reward.

The cheers of the crowd are often the enemy’s most effective tool to turn courageous leaders into to compliant followers. Call us general, CEO, director, president, pastor, husband, or father.  Call us whatever you like, but our pursuit of approval steals our resolve leaving little more than a title on our badge and a job description in our file.

In the 2000 blockbuster movie Gladiator, Proximo counsels Maximus with these words,

“Listen to me. Learn from me. I was not the best because I killed quickly. I was the best because the crowd loved me. Win the crowd and you will win your freedom.”

Leaders are often convinced that winning the crowd is the way to maximize our influence.  We think if people love us, then we will be able to move them to accomplish the mission.  That may work in a coliseum.  But authentic leadership aspires to something better than that.

Jesus said,

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1

So what are leaders to do about this ploy of popularity?

Lead for the pleasure of Jesus.

We don’t hijack the leadership God has given us to prop up our personal insecurities.  We lead as servants.  We lead for One who is greater.  Our identity is found in Jesus, not in our position of responsibility.  So we find our satisfaction and joy when He is pleased.

Be honest about the dangers of visibility.

Jesus said, “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men…”  Beware is still a good word for leaders.  We are in a unique place of visibility.  And like the rock star gets a rush from the applause of her audience, so leaders can become addicted to the crowd’s response to our performance.

Place an appropriate value on the opinions of others.

People are important.  Authentic leaders care about people and respond to their needs, pain, and at times to their opinions.  But leaders also understand that people are fickle.  What wins them over today may lose them tomorrow. So while we care about people, leaders ultimately answer to God.

Encourage followers to follow Jesus.

Leadership is influence.  We should be examples to follow. But our influence is not given for us to build our personal brand or to rally people around us. That’s narcissism not leadership. Instead, our influence is given to show people how to love and follow Jesus, which means effective leaders won’t be first in the lives of our followers.

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