How Do Leaders Learn to Lead?

The development of a leader is a concatenation of events highlighted by training, experiences and molding.

King David's schooling began in his father's pasture full of sheep. His training was designed to prepare him for all that would be required of him. When things went terribly wrong for Saul, Samuel said:

"... You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. Truly now, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom will not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart and the Lord has commanded him to be prince over His people, because you have not kept that which the Lord commanded you" (1 Sam. 13:13-14).

When it came time to consider candidates for king, David wasn't even in the original lineup that Jesse presented to Samuel. David was busy at work in his training ground. The Spirit of the Lord was upon David as he learned to kill bears and lions that attacked the flock. Leaders are at work when they are selected to lead.

Certainly, David was being prepared for his Goliath moment. Most leaders experience such a moment in their preparation to lead. Character is formed in fire.

David also bore witness to poor leadership. He learned the weaknesses of Saul and learned great lessons for how not to lead.

God gifted and trained David for his calling. David's experiences were ordered on his path to the throne.

We should pray for nothing less. Classrooms, books and lectures in leadership are necessary but not sufficient. As we are faithful in God's pasture, we will be taught primary leadership principles. Character will be formed.

We will likely be sent to serve other leaders so that we can to learn to honor the king and serve as unto the Lord.

While serving, God's master class is in session. We should learn at the feet of any leader God has appointed us to follow.

The potter's wheel is always churning in the life of a leader.

Platform Tip No. 39

Stop for a moment to consider your audience. What are their pains?

What do they want to change? What is it that they want to know more about?

Ask these questions on a regular basis to monitor emerging needs and changes within your target audience.

The more you see your audience as "all the same," the less you will connect with those who have very different needs.

Carefully consider adding a platform tailored for people similar to your audience. The Twitter platform is much different from an Instagram platform. In social media, context matters as much as content.

One platform does not fit all.