The Type Of Leader That Turns God’s Head

Do you remember when you were younger and you would see someone in a crowd who made you turn your head?  Of course you do.  The reason I say “when you were younger” is because if you are a married man like I am, you can get into some real trouble having your head turned!!!

Here’s a thought to ponder though, do you as a leader ever cause God’s head to turn?  I think God’s head does turn.  2 Chronicles 16:9  says ‘For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.”  If God’s eyes are wandering through the world, the question becomes would He stop at you as a leader?

I have been privileged to have dealt with literally hundreds of leaders in my lifetime.  Based upon those experiences, I think I have found a common link that causes God to stop and look at these loyal leaders.  

The type of leader that makes God’s head turn is one the is extravagantly generous!  The characteristics of generous leadership that I have gleaned are the following:

1. Generous leaders willingly share intellectual capital.
2. Generous leaders give of their time.
3. Generous leaders often meet needs anonymously.
4. Generous leaders receive tremendous loyalty.
5. Generous leaders experience little staff turnover.
6. Generous leaders celebrate wins in a big way.
7. Generous leaders value cooperation over competition.
8. Generous leaders disarm you with how approachable they are.
9. Generous leaders understand the difference between investment and expense.
10. Generous leaders have a high cash-to-debt ratio so they are able to freely meet needs.
11. Generous leaders are positive people.
12. Generous leaders have teams under them that are extraordinarily blessed.
13. Generous leaders equip other developing leaders.
14. Generous leaders understand pride and arrogance are their primary enemies.
15. Generous leaders do good.

You may think your generous and I hope you are.  However, grade yourself in those 15 areas and see how you match up.

One of the most generous leaders I’ve ever met is a man named Joe Sangl.  He models those 15 items.  He’s just co-authored a new book called Funded and Free which discusses the subject of generosity in greater detail.  I can’t recommend it enough.  Click the links to learn more.

It is one of the truth principles of this life that you cannot outgive God.  Leaders, in a spirit of generosity, why don’t we put that principle to the test for the rest of the year and see if it’s true.

Oh one more thought, before you ever ask how much a leader makes, you must first find out how much they give away. Just a thought.

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