Recently I’ve been considering the connection and interplay between leadership and relationships. A couple days ago, I heard someone say, “Leadership is all about relationships.” Is this true? To be a good leader, how important is it for someone to have strong relational skills? What happens when relationships and leadership decisions collide? What does the Bible say makes a good leader?

Certainly we would all agree that relational skills are AN important component for any leader, for without them, a leader will not be leading anyone. No one wants to follow someone who is abrasive, caustic, critical, judgmental, condescending, egotistical and alientates those around him/her. One of my favorite leaders, Nehemiah, in ch.2 and following, spent time encouraging the people of Judah, inspiring them to greatness, “rubbing shoulders” with them and building healthy relationships with them. Jesus, the greatest leader of all time, spent much time simply walking and talking with the disciples. Although he was driven to accomplish his task, he balanced this with caring for and having compassion for the people.

There are many different types of leaders, and different jobs and roles require different leadership skill sets. Whereas one leader may be in a position requiring constant relational skills of peacemaking and harmonizing, another may be in a position requiring more decisive vision casting, strong communication and solid decision-making abilities.

Yet as I review what Scripture says about leadership, in addition to relational skills, I see many other vital components to healthy leadership that are equally significant. A leader must have a clear vision, and be able to articulate this well to guide the people he is leading. Thus being a clear, open and honest communicator is vital for any leader, both in sending and receiving messages. He/she must have a servant heart, and follow the ultimate Servant by seeking God’s glory more than his own. In Galatians 1:10, the Bible is clear that we must be much more focused on pleasing God than pleasing people. So the Bible indicates a healthy relationship with God and honoring Him with our decisions is paramount over being liked and appreciated by people.

A leader must be able to see potenial in a situation and people, and empower others to reach their full potential. A good leader will also be responsible with the details of leadership, administrating tasks and assignments and following up to make sure goals are accomplished, holding others accountable and finding solutions to problems as they arise. Being able and willing to handle conflict well is another key component, without defensiveness or unnecessary abrasiveness, as we see repeatedly with Nehemiah – not shying away from difficulties, but walking toward them. Solid decision-making skills that flow from sound theology and worldview will make a leader more effective and cause others to want to follow.

These are some of the elements I see as essential for good, healthy leaders to develop. Obviously, no one but Christ perfectly modeled all these, but a teachable heart to learn as we go will help us not only grow to be better leaders, but will endear us to those who follow us.
Pressing on from the Potter’s wheel, Eric