Being a Good Husband #4

Being a loving husband involves being a good leader in your home. These following characteristics may apply in a broader area than just the home, but think about how you might apply them in the marriage and family relationship. I could not personally write a better article on LEADERSHIP than this one I found in Plain Talk. It was taken from Perspectives; V.4, n.12. Thank Bill Hall for this material.

What are the characteristics of good leadership? Good leadership has vision to see what needs to be done. Good leadership moves forward, is positive in its approach, stirs confidence in others, and convinces them that the “impossible” task can be accomplished.

Good leadership has faith in people (like your wife, MB). Good leadership believes that others want to work and that they will respond when properly challenged; it places the best possible construction on the actions of others. Good leadership “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things,” because good leadership loves (1 Corinthians 13:7-8).

Good leadership does not run ahead of others. It does not do everything itself. In fact, it frequently steps aside, and waits - - sometimes anxiously - - while others are given a chance to perform the tasks which they are capable of performing. Good leadership is not nearly so concerned with getting things done as it is with developing people into useful, mature servants of the Lord. Good leadership is constantly producing leadership in others.

Good leadership has a real concern for others, and has the ability to communicate that concern. Good leadership is patient, understanding; it is neither too quick to rebuke nor is it indulgent toward sin. Good leadership places itself in the other man’s position (or wife’s position in this case, MB) to see things from his point of view.

Good leadership is humble; is willing to acknowledge mistakes; it can accept criticism, and separate the constructive from the destructive. Good leadership seeks the praise of God rather than the praise of men; it sacrifices popularity to do God’s will.

Good leadership has conviction, but is not stubborn or head strong, it listens to others and views their ideas objectively. Good leadership treats all alike; is impartial. Good leadership is frank and candid, but is kind. Good leadership is self-confident, but not proud; it does not have to be promoting.

Families need men who are leaders. But what a difference in those who seek to lead and those who truly lead.

MB