Everything about grace screams "it's not fair." To live as a grace-based leader requires daily dependence upon the Holy Spirit. To lead as a grace-based leader brings glory to God. It's leading in ways that are beyond us.
I've been really challenged lately to live a life that's full of grace. The word grace simply means "unmerited or undeserved favor." Or, to put it even more simply, to receive something we don't deserve.
What if we, as leaders could learn to lead others with an extraordinary amount of grace? What if those we serve alongside see our ability to model grace when we communicate and deal with them and, in turn, they are able to live lives of grace as well.
Imagine the difference that could be made.
Practical ways to live as a grace-based leader:
1. Handle each encounter with a volunteer as Jesus would. Many times we're distracted by all there is to yet be done. Slow down and just sit. Listen and learn to know the heart of your volunteer. Allow them to see that you genuinely care about them as a person. Each encounter is an opportunity for you to pour into the life of someone else!
2. Really understand their needs. We don't often see the needs of our volunteers apart from their ministry.
3. Communicate with grace. Don't respond too quickly. Don't allow your own hurt feelings or ego do the speaking in the heat of the moment with a volunteer. Respond out of love for the other person-truly seeing to the heart of their needs.
4. Make yourself available. Grace says "I'm here." Many times all someone you're leading needs is someone to listen and encourage.
5. Speak words of encouragement to volunteers on a regular basis. Go out of your way to let someone know that you appreciate them. Publicly appreciate who they are and what they do. Speak words of blessing to those who volunteer under you. People are often mistreated, judged, and torn up by the world. Your grace may be a game changer for them!
Philip Yancy says that "grace elevates the one you're showing grace towards." Practically speaking, it's putting the desires of someone else before mine. It's about building the other person up and not worrying about my own status.
Everything about grace screams "it's not fair." To live as a grace-based leader requires daily dependence upon the Holy Spirit. To lead as a grace-based leader brings glory to God. It's leading in ways that are beyond us.
Grace will cause us to do things that are beyond us. It will cause us to love like never before.
It will cause us to become better leaders.
Leaders who care more.
Leaders who are more compassionate.
Leaders who are relying more than ever upon God's sweet Holy Spirit.
How about you? In what ways can you become more of a grace based leader? What practical steps could you take that would allow you to exhibit more grace like tendencies?