Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. You are unique and your calling is unique. No one else is exactly like you, and don’t try and be someone else. You can certainly learn from others and that’s not bad, but make sure you stay true to who you are called to be.
Have thick skin. Don’t take a public opinion poll of your life. Don’t care so much about what folks say. People will say many things that could be hurtful if you let them be. Don’t let them take root. Understand that people are broken and they say unfiltered comments due to that brokenness. Because ministry is geared towards helping people, we have to remember this is simply part of the calling.
Know your identity in Christ. Don’t allow insecurity to take root. Walk in confidence. Own the calling and mantle God has given you. Some will try and belittle the office you walk in, but when you know your identity in Christ, it doesn’t matter what anyone else says or does.
Be accountable. Accountability will save the day many a time. We are all human and sometimes we can’t see what someone else can. When someone is unaccountable, they are much more likely to fall.
Be teachable. We can’t possibly be right all the time. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you miss the mark. However, leaders are held to a high standard so make sure when you realize you are in error you need to course correct immediately. Many people double down on errors because they are too prideful to admit they made a mistake.
Don’t let people put you on a pedestal. Always point to Jesus and don’t allow anyone who is under your influence to put you on a high horse. This will save you from many other challenges and accusations that will arise if you don’t do this.
Push your people upwards. You should always be raising up others into ministry. Don’t lead from the top looking down, but instead push your disciples up. When they are ready, release them into their own destiny. Many people get greedy and keep a good leader past their due season because of the benefits they bring to the ministry. We need to also learn to release.
When people want to leave, let them. If someone asks your opinion, you can share it, but ultimately bless someone when they want to leave. Don’t worry about losing people. Those who are called to be with you will stay. Those who are called to leave will leave. This shouldn’t be a stress for you as a leader.
Stay on fire for God. No matter what, make sure you are taking the needed time each day to be in the Word of God and in prayer. Have an active prayer life and always be growing deeper in each season. It’s the anointing that has got you where you are and it’s the anointing (of the Holy Spirit) that will order your steps and guide your path. Don’t get ahead of God. Enjoy each season.
Guard the anointing. No matter what, don’t compromise. You never have to compromise to get to your calling. God is the one who raises up leaders. If we do something on our own strength, it won’t last. Stay set apart and walk in a circumspect and holy way. God will bless you for this.
Love people. They may not always love you, but love them anyway. People will slander you, come against you, turn on you, and hurt you. But no matter what, love them anyway. This doesn’t mean you need to be a doormat. You can love someone and still not have them around anymore. Sometimes you have to kick out a wolf. That’s part of being a shepherd.
Be strong and bold, yet remain humble. In this hour, we need to be lions. We can’t be pushovers and must have a backbone. We need to always stand for what is right. Even when it’s not easy. God honors this also. When you gain notoriety, remember where you came from and the grace and mercy God gave you. Pay that forward always.
Don’t be taken advantage of. A wise leader knows when to say no. Learn the ministry of “no”. We cannot say yes to everything. Some people will try and control you—don’t let them. Also, don’t let someone bait you into a fight that you weren’t meant to fight. Pick and choose your battles.
Be careful who you align with. Alignments are very important. This is the concept of being equally yoked but has many layers and much meaning. Your associations speak to your character. A friend of everyone is not a friend of God. We are not in this for popularity. Trying to be popular will have a major cost. Serve an audience of One.
Speak a clear vision to those who follow you. Say what God tells you to say. Do what God tells you to do. Be Spirit led. This requires prayer and fasting at times. Without vision, you won’t last long as people need a leader who is a visionary. There are many more things I could add here, but these really stuck out to me today. Many of these took me years to learn and realize. A smart man learns from his own mistakes, a wise man learns from the mistakes of others.
