What is leadership? Many people believe it is position. If you watch closely the dynamics that occur between people in just about every aspect of daily life, you will see some people leading and others are following. The one thing you notice is that position and title have little to do with is really in charge. At times those who have the title often assume this gives them responsibility. Position has little to do with who is in charge. Those who often have no title feel they cannot lead because of this fact. Both groups are wrong!

True leadership cannot be awarded, appointed, or assigned. It comes only from influence and that cannot be mandated. It must be earned. The only that title can buy is a little time – either to increase your level of influence with others or to undermine it.

Another misconception is that leading and managing are one in the same thing. The main difference the two is that leadership is about influencing people to follow, while management focuses on maintaining systems and processing. Systems and processes can only do so much. To move people in a new direction, you need influence.

What about entrepreneurs? Most people assume they are natural leaders.They so see needs and opportunities faster than the average person and they go after them. But some entrepreneurs are not good with people. They will many times partner with someone who has people skills to let them do all of the upfront people work.

In today’s society we tend to believe that expertise equals leadership. Again another misconception. Neither IQ or Education equals leadership.

Finally, anyone who out in front of the crowd is a leader. Again, another misconception that being first or ahead of the crowd is not the same as leading. Yes you need to be in the front, but intentional at the same time to see others following after you. Being a trendsetter is not the same as leading.

The old adage is true; “He who thinks he is leading, but no one is following, is only taking a walk. It is simple, if you cannot influence people they will not follow you. If people will not follow you, you are not a leader. No matter what others say remember that leadership is influence, nothing more and nothing less.

CASE STUDY: Rahab’s Influence Joshua 2:1-24

Study Questions

• What kind of leadership role do you think a prostitute like Rahab might have had in Jericho?
• Why did the spies chose Rahab to help them? Why did thy trust her?
• How were the spies influenced by her? How were Joshua and the nation of Israel influenced by her?