Leadership Qualities: Communication Part 6

Words Shape Destiny-Matthew 12:33-37

Jesus teaches us the centrality of communication. The Ultimate Leader helps us see that words carry the power of life and death:

  1. Words transmit power.
  2. Words reveal our character.
  3. Words determine our reward and judgment.
  4. Words produce fruit.
  5. Words shape our destiny.

Leaders must never forget the power of their words. God shaped the universe with His words (Gen. 1; 2). He sustains His creation with His words (Heb. 1:3). He even performs miracles through the use of words (Rom. 4:17). What’s more, God designed us to accomplish things by the wise use of our words.

Test of Hostile Crowd-Matthew 21:23-27

The religious leaders challenged Jesus’ authority when He entered the temple. He responded by using the best tool a leader has when facing such antagonism: He answered their question with a question. Handling people who don’t want to travel with you is the acid test of a leader’s poise.

One Memorable Phrase-John 3:16

Effective leaders know the importance of compressing their complex activities into an easily memorized sentence. This is a secret of good communication. Make it short! Make it simple! Make it significant! Make it sizzle!

Paul Adapts, Shares Story-Acts 22:1-21; 26:4-23

Effective leaders know not only what to say, but how to say it in order to most powerfully impact their listeners. When they speak, they take into account impact, not image. They evaluate their audience and communicate in a way that best connects with their listeners, then they help them make practical applications to their message.

When Plans Change-2 Corinthians 1:12-17

Paul knew leaders must be flexible, not fickle. Yet when plans change, people need more communication. Leaders maintain integrity when they over communicate and calmly assure their people that they are still making progress.

Melchizedek-Hebrews 7:1-22

If leaders fail to communicate with others, they travel alone. Good communicators give a picture of something familiar to explain something unfamiliar. Melchizedek supplied a powerful metaphor because, like Christ . . .

  1. His leadership was universal, not national. He wasn’t limited to a priesthood in a single country.
  2. His leadership was superior, not mediocre. He is pictured as a superior and respected leader to whom even Abraham gave a tithe.
  3. His leadership was based on righteousness, not selfishness. This king’s name meant “righteousness over Salem (peace).”
  4. His leadership was personal, not hereditary. He didn’t lead because he was born into the right family or had the right genes.
  5. His leadership is eternal, not temporary. He abides as a priest perpetually, just like Christ.

Provide Action Steps-Jude 17-23

Jude doesn’t close his message with mere information, but offers points of application. Jude challenges his readers to pray in the Spirit, remain in the love of God, have compassion on doubters, and snatch others out of their sin. Effective leaders give both information and application.

Join me next time for Leadership Issues: Authority.