Are You READY for Leadership?

Your answer to this question will determine the future of your career. We will only become what we conceive in our mind. Others think they can be managers and they became one. And others believe they can only be supervisors and they also became one. And those who can't see themselves in any leadership position will never become a leader. But do you know you already have what it takes to become a leader? When your mom conceived you, the instincts of a leader are already provided for. It only becomes dormant, inactive, untapped because of lack of self-confidence and unbelief. To become a leader and an effective one, you have to recognize two principles: (1) " Who made you . . . what are you made of?" (2) " What is your destiny, your vision?" Let's look at the story of the creation of man as basis for our study: "Then God said, "let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish of the sea, and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals of the earth" Genesis 1:26 (NCV) WHO MADE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU MADE OF? Based on Genesis, we are made from the image and likeness of God. Come to think of it, is God not a Leader and Manager? If we are created in His image, certainly we have in us same qualities as the one who created both what is seen and unseen. Consider God's creativity to create something from nothing. Consider God's wisdom that put in place both natural and spiritual laws. Think about the systems and procedures that keeps the creation in harmony. Since we are created in HIS IMAGE, His traits are also genetically encoded in us, though in limited proportion: (1) creativity-- that's why we have artists, singers and so forth (2) ability to gain knowledge and apply wisdom--that's why have engineer's and scientist who are able to invent; and managers who are able to put in place policies and procedures, constitution and by-laws and so forth.

You already have what it takes to be a leader!

WHAT IS YOUR DESTINY? Before God created man, He planted a beautiful garden strategically located near streams of water with abundant deposits of gold and silver. The garden is a place of abundance and peace, more beautiful than any resort you can think of. When God created man, He placed him "in" the garden to dwell and to work on it. God created man with the following objectives: (1) to live in prosperity and peace. "God took the man and 'put' him in the garden..."Gen. 2:15 . Sickness, pain and poverty only entered the world when man "rebelled against God. It was not and NEVER the intention of God. (2) to work as ruler and manager. "Then God said, "let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them RULE over the fish of the sea, and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals of the earth". Gen. 1:26 (NCV). "God took the man and 'put' him in the garden, to DRESS it and to KEEP it.." Gen. 2:15 (ASV).

" And from the ground, God formed every animal, every bird of the sky and brought them to the man so man will NAME them...Gen. 2: 19-20. Man's job description was: a. To Manage the Garden b. To Name all the animals/plants c. To Rule over all the earth. (3) to have relationship with Him or to bond with Him " And they heard the voice of God WALKING in the garden in the coolness of the day, the man and his wife HID themselves from the PRESENCE of GOD and God CALLED on the man and said WHERE ARE YOU?..."Gen. 3:8-9. Since the beginning, God initiates bonding sessions with man. The problem is, man always HID from God. After the rebellion, the once confident and happy man changed-- Man became INSECURE.

God created us to work: to rule and manage, to enjoy prosperity. But the most important one is to have a relationship with Him. While we have what it takes to become a leader, we can not lead properly if we are not in sync with God. Otherwise, we will only lead others toward destruction (think of the families that were destroyed because of the kind of leadership or example that the parents provided, or more specifically, the husbands provided). If man does not have a relationship with God, wealth is not used the way it is intended to. This could be the reason why the Philippines being a rich country has a big chunk of her population under the poverty line. LIVE YOUR DESTINY LEAD BY EXAMPLE! What was lost in the rebellion was the privilege of abundance, good health and relationship with God. These, however, were restored when Jesus came to earth and offered Himself for us. When God created man, He destined you to be a leader. In spite of the rebellion, the "instinct" to lead, rule and manage is NEVER LOST. The world still has great business and political leaders. And the world even witnessed how man can lead and amass followers even for not so good purposes (like terrorism). We are all leaders! You may not be a husband or father, wife or mother, kuya or ate, you may not be occupying a leadership position in the community or corporation. The fact that you can influence at least one person is proof that you are a leader. The question is where are you leading them? Your faith in GOD and yourself will bring out the leader in you. Be inspired. Consider who made you and what are you made of. Pursue your destiny. Aside from your family, discover with God your leadership place in this world. Always lead by example.
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About the Author Severo E. Santos, also known as Sonnie, is presently one of the Human Resource Managers of the Philippines leading company in property management, retailing, leisure and banking. He is the founder and Moderator of Skopun: The Leaders Hub. Responding to the vision that God placed in his heart, he started the group with the intent of enabling the professionals to sharpen each other by sharing experiences, principles and technical expertise through mail exchanges, connect group meetings, and seminars/ learning sessions. His core value for the group is derived from Proverbs 27:17, As iron sharpens

iron, so is man sharpens another man. He is also one of the moderators of CTI - Coaching and Training Ideas, a 3000 member community of dedicated professionals. The purpose of the group is to spur creative ideas for coaching and training. Sonnie is also a volunteer worker of Cathedral of Praise, one of the largest Christian churches in the world You may visit his homepage at http://uk.geocities.com/cuyakot/Sonnie.html. You can get in touch with the author at sesantos@speed.info.com.ph, or ses@mymail.ph.inter.net, or send SMS at +63920-9123184