Is anyone back there following?

Leadership has many challenges. First, you need to have people follow you, otherwise…well, you get the point.

Erion Prendi, my friend and a media and evangelical leader in Albania, made some great points about leadership the other day. I suspect we have all had to deal with this in our leadership roles.

[blockquote author=”” link=”” target=”_blank”]One important truth about leadership is that it is isolating. Because of your position, a natural division is created between you and those around you who often see you as a superhuman. The more these occurrences take place, the more isolated you feel. The solution:
Maintain close relationships! [/blockquote]

[blockquote author=”” link=”” target=”_blank”] Deepen the friendships you have! Increase your circle of true friends! Surround yourself with people who motivate and build you up… and equally pour into the life of those who see you as one who builds them up. Don’t wait for things to get better, for the new house with more space you dream of, for better furniture so your living room looks nicer, etc. etc. Start now and start with your family and the friends you have![/blockquote]

[blockquote author=”” link=”” target=”_blank”]Tomorrow may be too late![/blockquote]

I think of the Apostle Paul, who must have felt that loneliness of leadership. Yet as Paul closed out most of his letters, he made sure he greeted his friends in Ephesus, Philippi, and other towns where he served. And he often talked of those who surrounded him, even while he was in prison.

And listen to this passage from the Apostle John’s letter:

[blockquote author=”3 John:1-4 NLT” link=”” target=”_blank”]I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth. Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth. [/blockquote]

Do you have friends you can get with and share some of the deep things of life? Are there those with whom you can just sit and laugh? These folks are valuable. And it is a part of your spiritual and leadership health to cultivate these kinds of friends and relationships that keep you grounded and fresh…so you can lead!