The Character Of A Leader - A Willing Listener

 

This is Chuck Rapp with Multiply, a podcast to provide a word of encouragement for village church planters.

I recently returned from a two-week trip to Uganda and Kenya where my host was friend and VCP Supervisor Peter Baraka. We shared a wonderful time visiting VCP training centers and newly planted churches.

One day we were discussing these podcast messages, and I asked Peter to share with me his leadership values. He gave me a great list, and in this message and the next one or two I will share from Peter’s wisdom.

A good leader listens well and understands others’ perspectives. Peter, like Solomon, is a wise man. Here are some proverbs about listening.

 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice. Prov 12:15 To answer before listening-- that is folly and shame. Prov 18:13

 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Prov 18:2 And this from James in the New Testament.

 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. James 1:19

Why is important for a good leader to listen well in order to understand others’ perspectives? I would suggest that the following are some of the results:

-We demonstrate that we love and value others when we listen and understand them

-Active listening – with the goal to understand – yields increased mutual trust and respect

-Understanding others’ perspectives enables us to make better, more informed decisions

-Receiving others’ counsel may help us avoid mistakes

Understanding others’ perspectives usually reduces tension and conflict between two parties

Recently, I shared on Humility as a component of the character of a godly leader. Humility is required if we are to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Humility means that we don’t believe we have all the answers, that we recognize the necessity of being willing to listen and learn from others. Humility helps us overcome our blind spots (that is, things we fail to see) by welcoming and valuing others’ insights.

Good leaders listen well to understand others’ perspectives. Having done so, they move forward to make decisions and provide direction. This leads to another of Peter’s leadership values; godly leaders are not afraid of criticism. We will discuss this next time.

This has been a word of encouragement for Village Church Planters.