leadership is influence, not being a boss, but changing people on purpose. Not accidental leadership, but on purpose, thought out, pro-active leadership, influencing people in a direction , towards a standard, a particular way of living.  Leadership is training a person how to live life successfully, often in such a way that they don’t realize that they are being influenced or trained. I am training my new puppy not to potty in the house, and I am attempting to influence many other people how to live productive lives that bring joy to themselves and others. Totally different, but much the same. Being a good leader is a choice, and requires that you have a strong confidence in the standard you are influencing people towards.  My standard is the Word of God, and I am confident that it is truth right from God, and represents the ultimate way to live life successfully. The second requirement to being a good leader is that you have led yourself reasonably well towards what you are attempting to lead others to.  That requires an accurate self awareness, and a very real transparency that allows God to bless and empower. Leaders are not better than others, just ahead of them.  I buy and read books on leadership all the time. Many are secular as well as Christian, many are junk, and based more on the skill of manipulation than real leadership. Real ieadershop is selfless, not trying to get people to do things that benefit you but them. Real leadership is like being a good parent, with the other person’s success, fulfillment, and joy the motive. I want to influence my family and those God brings to JBC, and I pray daily for the wisdom and humility to for it well.