The words “leadership” and “gentleness” do not seem to go together. When we think of leadership, larger-than-life figures come to mind – military leaders, coaches, political figures, and business tycoons. We think of big personalities accomplishing big things and overcoming big obstacles to do so.
But there are another set of qualities to leadership which are rarely discussed – meekness, kindness, caring, forgiveness, and gentleness.
Today, Mike Linch, the incredible pastor of NorthStar Church in Kennesaw, GA and host of the popular Linch With A Leader podcast, brought an incredible message on the subject of gentleness. His thoughts were so impactful from a leadership perspective, I want to share them with you.
First, if you are not listening to Mike’s podcast, you need to start TODAY by clicking the image below. Second, I want to give you the quotes from his life-changing message.
9 Life-Changing Thoughts on Gentleness
Now onto Mike’s quotes:
- Gentleness is having the right or power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else. It is meekness.
- Gentleness is the proper balance between anger and indifference. It is the picture of a wild stallion being broken.
- Gentleness always comes with being under authority. It is not passivity.
- There’s typically two men that were spoken of with gentleness – Moses (and) Jesus. Pretty good company.
- We all agree when things get tough who you really are comes out.
- We live in a world that you hear the word “gentle” and you think “soft”, “weak.”
- Simon Peter responds with a sword. Jesus responds with gentleness.
- Jesus always responded appropriately. Gentleness, it’s always for the benefit of others.
- Will my response benefit or hurt the other person? Is this gonna bless you?
Additional thoughts Mike gave from Rich Warren
- Gentleness reduces conflict.
- Gentleness disarms critics. People don’t know what to do with power under control. They don’t know what to do. They want you to argue with them. They want you to fight with them. They want you to battle but gentleness disarms them.
- Gentleness is persuasive. When someone is gentle, they typically think through their words and are persuasive. Gentleness is when you’re able to pause and you’re able to measure your words. It’s persuasive.
- Gentleness is attractive. Something about it people want more of.
- Gentleness communicates when someone is gentle.
- Gentleness earns respect.
Conclusion
- You will never exercise gentleness until you put your life under the control of your Heavenly Father.
- Giving your heart to Jesus, I’m telling you, it’s the greatest single determining factor of gentleness. Why? Because all of a sudden, He begins to live in you and these fruits begin to grow in your life of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness, gentleness and self control.
- Would my kids describe me growing up as gentle?
- Families need more gentleness.
- Homes need for gentleness.
- Teams need more gentleness.
- Authority, when I rein it in for the benefit of others, we see Jesus in us.
What did you learn from Mike today which will make you a more gentle and better leader?
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