FOLLOW THE LEADERa new role as an advisor and counselor, but he will no longer be a leader.
Leadership requires energy! It’s just that simple. As John Haggai said: “A
leader without energy is like a pianist without hands or a runner without feet or
an orator without a voice.”^5 Therefore, it is almost impossible to lead without
energy!
It is important to clearly understand the origin and nature of authentic
leadership energy. It is intrinsic rather than extrinsic. It flows from within –
instead of being imparted from without. This power of personality does not
come about just because a person has been given a position of power, or a
rank authority. True leadership ability flows from an “internal authority”
rather than an “external authority.” Let me illustrate.
Authentic leadership power is not like that of a policeman or soldier
who has power because of his rank. That kind of power is demonstrated
through external signs of authority like uniforms...badges...guns, etc.
That kind of “external authority” is “put on” and “taken off ” on a daily
basis. That kind of external based authority can be given one day – and
taken away the next. That kind of authority or power is totally in the
hands of superiors...supervisors...higher-ups. It is not uncommon for a
leader of this kind to be “stripped of his rank”...“relieved of his duties”...
“demoted from his office”...“fired from his position.” In those cases, his
power and authority are taken away – and his leadership along with it.
Since “internal authority” cannot be imparted from man – it cannot
be taken away by man. True spiritual authority is imputed rather than
imparted. Jesus told His disciples to make sure they were filled with the
Holy Spirit’s power before they attempted to fulfill His Great Commission.
He said: “...stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from
on high” (Lk. 24:49). The KJV translates this: “...until you be endued
with power from on high.” We might summarize it this way: “Endument
produces energy which results in enthusiasm.”
It is our spiritual energy that often determines the level of our physical
energy. That is reflected in Psalm 118:24, which says: “The joy of the Lord
is my strength.” The greater our intimacy with the Lord, the greater our
joy. The greater our spiritual joy, the greater our physical strength!
When the inner man is energized with the presence and power of the