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Ramblin' Dan
Dan Roloff is the editor of TheHighCalling.org, and his blog, Ramblin’ Dan, has a little bit of everything. At times, a theologian, philosopher, comedian, publisher, sports enthusiast, and businessman, Dan offers a transparent look at the high calling of one man’s work.
subscribe to this blog >Leadership, Position or Influence
5.10.10
Fundamentally, we can divide leadership into two broad categories. There’s positional leadership, where someone is designated the leader or boss. Then there’s influential leadership, the subtle shaping done by someone or something.
We tend to throw the word "leadership" around as if everyone had the same understanding of its meaning. Breaking the definition down to its core, leadership is determining a direction that others follow.
- What is leadership? Determining a direction that others follow.
- What is positional leadership? A designated position that is responsible for guiding others.
- What is influential leadership? The action of motivating others to act in a desired way.
A colleague, Marcus, and I were discussing position leadership and influence leadership. He asked, “What do you mean by positional leadership and influential leadership?”
I said, “Positional leadership is when a person is elected or appointed to a position such as a mayor, major, or manager. Influential leadership doesn't require an appointment. A parent, a colleague, or even a celebrity can influence us.”
Marcus replied, “The best leadership comes from positional leaders.”
Not wanting to miss an opportunity for sarcasm I shot back, “That’s why Jesus didn’t have any leadership until he was elected head of the Sanhedrin.” (He wasn’t. That’s where the sarcasm was inserted.)
“Good point," Marcus said laughing.
We don’t need a specific title or position to be a leader. Our influence can be felt in ways we’ll never know. It’s one reason why our Christian character is so important. Think of Brother Lawrence. A lay monastic, he lived most of the seventeenth century behind the walls of a priory. But in the twenty-first century, we still turn to his letters for spiritual wisdom. Influence can happen without our knowledge. Who we are as persons of faith and character carries tremendous weight.
It’s the central message of the high calling of our daily work.
READER'S COMMENTS
Amen, brother!! There are so many positional leaders out there, but so few influencers. Those few carry a heavy burden to indirectly influence those around them whether they realize it or not...keith