We may never have an ‘official’ leadership role, but there are all kinds of opportunities to be role models for the people we interact with each day and the people who look up to us in some way, so it’s important that we try to show the qualities of a good leader. One of the best tests of good leadership is how we respond to somebody else’s success. Do you rejoice, or secretly resent them? King Saul sent David out to fight Goliath, but when David succeeded and the Israelites began to congratulate him, Saul couldn’t handle it. ‘From that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.’ David’s success made Saul feel insecure about himself.

Insecurity can prevent us from being good role models and leaders. That’s because insecure leaders tend to do these things:

1) They don’t provide security for others. To be a good leader, we must try to give our followers confidence in themselves. We should encourage them and help them grow, and it’s difficult to do that if we’re feeling insecure about ourselves.

2) They take more than they give. Insecure leaders look for validation, acknowledgement, and love from the people who look up to them, rather than instilling those things in others.

3) They limit people. Insecure leaders see others as potential competitors who might threaten their position, so they might try to make others doubt their own abilities to reduce the threat.

In order to be good leaders and role models, we need to be secure in who we are – and that comes from God. ‘The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God’ (1 John 3:1 NCV). And He says to us, ‘You did not choose me; I chose you’ (John 15:16 NCV).

What Now?

Even if you’re not a leader, how could you show the traits of good leadership today? Could you rejoice with someone who’s achieved something recently? Give a word of encouragement? Try to see the potential in someone who’s overlooked by everyone else?