FOLLOW THE LEADEReffective leadership is a tremendous energy level and a deep desire to use that
energy for supplying leadership.”^2 It is not just energy for energy’s sake – it is
energy for the sake of leadership. Eugene Habecker underscores this fact and
writes: “Anyone who has held, or who holds such a position of leadership,
knows the need for high energy. A tired or exhausted leader will rarely be
effective.”^3
Some studies suggest that high energy is one of the major common
denominators of all leaders. Almost all leaders seem to have a
disproportionate amount of energy. They are like the now-famous
Energizer Bunny popularized in commercials: “They just keep on going and
going and going and going!” People tend to only follow an enthusiastic
leader. It is energy that produces enthusiasm...denotes authority...projects
excitement...exudes confidence...denotes purposeful activity – and thereby
attracts a following. It is a basic principle that “energy attracts attention.”
Therefore, energy attracts followers. Without it, a leader will not be able to
infuse others with enthusiasm to join him in the pursuit of his vision. To
lead means that you have to capture and maintain people’s attention – and
that requires movement and motion – which require a continuous output
of energy.
Principle:
“Energy produces enthusiasm which results in
excitement –and enthusiasm and excitement attracts
followers.”It is understandable that clams do not have congregations! Slugs or snails
don’t attract much attention because they move so slowly! Their activity
is almost imperceptible. I know a lot of people who move through life at
a “snail’s pace!” They are too slow and too “lazy to lead!” They are about
as exciting as watching Jell-O melt! If those people slowed down from
their normal placid pace in life – they would have to go in reverse! All
they do is stand still...tread water...mark time. Their engine is always
in neutral. As the old expression says, “They are going nowhere fast!”
No sluggard ever became a leader! They can’t even be good followers!
That’s why “slothful servants” are not very high on the leadership roster
in the book of Proverbs (12:24, 27; 18:9; 24:30, etc)! Sluggards can’t lead