Being a Christian leader is hard, and ALL Christians are called to be leaders no matter how tough the road. If you ever struggle with your role as a leader, take comfort in knowing that you aren’t alone, give yourself grace, and know that there are things you can do to help you on your journey. I hope this list of my top 10 ways to be a better leader will help if you’re feeling stuck!
1. Start at the feet of Jesus everyday
You cannot pour into others what you are unwilling to receive from God so make this your #1 priority every, single day…Rinse and repeat because this is where leaders are made.
2. Love yourself the way God loves you
In order to be a good leader you absolutely need to love yourself the way God does. Just as you are: A beloved daughter who He loves very much. Absolutely forgiven: No negative self talk or low blows when old wounds surface. Love yourself with grace, kindness, and encouragement, just like He does.
3. Stop hustling to earn approval, love, or whatever else you’ve been deprived of
If people let you down, you cannot heal that wound by earning their approval. Trying to earn your way free becomes an idol and is a distraction the enemy uses to keep you focused on what you lack instead of God’s presence in your life. Stop hustling and start soaking in God’s grace, sister.
4. Choose leadership as your identity, not your job
Leadership is a God given anointing. It’s part of your very DNA. Uncovering the leader within us is part of the healing journey back to our pre-fall intimacy with God. Running from it keeps God at arms length by saying He’s wrong about this part of you. It creates shame and encourages you to hide. Don’t fall for it.
5. Give in to your anointing
We waste so much time doubting ourselves and doubting whether or not God is really calling us to lead. HE IS CALLING YOU TO THIS. Say yes, and move on.
6. Recognize the influence you have instead of killing yourself to get what you don’t
Look around! You already have influence. Don’t believe me? Ask around. Pay attention to who asks you for advice or seeks you out for emotional support when things get hard. We have to honor what we’ve been given before we can take on more.
7. Cultivate gratitude every day, especially the hard ones
There is ALWAYS something to be grateful for, even if it’s only that this very bad no good day will not go on forever. Wake up every morning and find your gratitude before the hard stuff hits. Then revisit it at night to keep from being overwhelmed and shutting down.
8. Love your body now, not when it looks like you think it should
Y’all: It’s time to get over our hangups about how we look and stop using them as excuses to hurt ourselves, push others away, and hide from God. Care for yourself now out of love instead of punishing your body for the way it’s responded to life. You’ll be a better leader if you care for yourself generously.
9. Slow down and play the long game
Leadership isn’t a sprint. That hustle, hustle, hustle vibe is a cultural thing, not a God thing. Focus on doing it well within the context of a healthy life. If you rush through every day trying to pack more in, you’re going to step on people, including yourself. Slow down and find the pace that’s right for you in this season.
10. Be willing to be led.
You cannot become a Jesus centered leader if you’re hard-hearted, prideful, and isolated. Find a few trustworthy people to look up to, learn from, and be mentored by and stick with them as long as God says to. Be humble and teachable and learn from other people.
What about you? Is there anything you would add to this list? I’d love to know in the comments! And if you’re looking for a community of other Christian leaders who are building each other up daily, then don’t forget to join our free group, Christian Women Who Lead.
Christian Life and Leadership Coach , Angela J Herrington, loves helping women find freedom and fulfillment in their God given calling. She teaches women how to recognize, cultivate, and unleash their God given leadership ability. A true Gen Xer-Angela loves thinking outside the box, combining things that are seemingly unrelated, and helping women create a unique life that perfectly suits their soul.
With 8 years of life, business, social media, and leadership coaching under her belt Angela a dynamic speaker and writer who creates enormous value for her audiences. She is known for crushing complex topics down to bite sized pieces and sending her audience home with actionable steps to apply their learning.
Angela is a Lark’s Song Certified Life Coach who reaches hundreds of thousands of women in 40+ countries each month on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and two blogs.
As the founder of Broken Beautiful BOLD Women’s Ministry, AngelaJHerrington.com, Christian Women Who Lead, The Calling Course, The Impact Incubator, and the XGen Christian Women’s Leadership Project, Angela receives rave reviews at women’s ministry events, writer’s conferences, and small business workshops.
Angela, her husband, and five children live in her home state of Indiana. Angela has served on the Board of Directors for Christian Coaches International, as Vice Chair of the Carey Services Board of Directors, and held multiple positions in her local church, scouting organizations, and schools.
She holds a BA in Biblical Studies from Indiana Wesleyan and a Master’s in Leadership from Wesley Seminary. Angela’s short story “The Turkey Trail“ was published in the collection Naturally Yours: Stories About Indiana’s State Parks and Reservoirs. She has been published in Hope for Women and HOPE is Now magazines.
