Only one way to lead?

Here’s a thought I shared with you previously about leadership.

Most leadership books today tell you the way to be a successful leader. “Follow this plan, and you will succeed.” The only problem with that is someone else has penned a book that gives an opposite viewpoint on leadership. So, who is right?

In my lifetime, I have heard about many scientific studies relating to coffee and health. One study says coffee is bad for you. Then another study says that one cup a day is actually good for you. And yet another study says, “…drink more coffee and you will be more healthy!” Hmmm.

I’m thinking that there may be more than one way to accomplish God’s will in your leadership role. Our Lord is more creative than just following one path to success (whatever that may mean). Jesus healed blind people, but He didn’t always do it the same way.

One time, Jesus just spoke a word. Another time he touched the man’s eyes. In John 9 he spit on the ground, made mud, and placed that on the man’s eyes. When he washed it off, the blind man could see.

Today, I suspect someone would write a book on how to heal blind men and begin selling that book along with a container of that special mud. “Here’s how you do it!”

It’s true, we can learn some valuable techniques that will help us manage and lead others. And we should be willing to study and apply what we learn. But don’t think there is only one way to manage. Don’t just adopt the latest leadership style or practice without asking God to guide you.

You see, if you are successful following someone’s human plan, people will attribute that success to you or to a book or a system.

But if you seek God’s wisdom and follow His direction in leadership, God will get the glory.

After all, isn’t that what we want in ministry?