The Essence of Leadership

It’s been said that leadership is influence. Nothing more. Nothing less. This is never more true than when you work for an organization that is volunteer-dependent. You want to talk about leadership? Try leading in an organization where your “employees” aren’t required to do what you say.

How do you lead an organization when you have no paycheck to hold over the head of your “employees”? How do you lead when your people don’t have to jump just because you say to do so? How do you lead when your people can leave your organization and find one just as good — if not better — right down the road?

In these types of organizations, you discover the true nature of leadership. It’s a compelling vision not a bottom line. It’s influence not control. It’s compulsion not obligation. It’s serving those you lead not commanding them from the corner office. It’s long-term relational investment not positional authority.

I work for a church but you can easily substitute the word “church” for “non-profit.” But I also believe you can substitute the word “church” for the words “small business” or “local school” or “major corporation.” The world we live in today offers everyone in your organization — volunteers and paid employees alike — numerous opportunities to walk out your door and land in another organization down the street, in another city, in another state, in another country.

Whether you lead volunteers or paid employees, there is wisdom in leading from influence rather than position. It’s servant leadership. It’s contrarian leadership. It’s the true essence of leadership.