One of my recent memory verses is Proverb 18:15 in The Message.

“Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.”

As I meditate on, and pray over, this verse, it will aid me in continuing to be a life-long Learner. Things are constantly changing all around me, and I desperately need fresh insights.

Here’s the idea of  being interested or interesting.

As leaders, when we focus on being genuinely interested in others, rather than trying to be interesting to others by focusing on ourselves, there’s a better chance we’ll be loving people rather than using people and loving ourselves. This is a huge part of engaging people in our world and creating strong relationships with them. When you think about it, with the exception of one (you), the world is composed of others. As leaders, it’s those others the focus should be on—not ourselves.. It’s so easy and so tempting to make leadership about the leader, not about the people being led. I confess this is till a battle for me.

“And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted  his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. ~ 2 Samuel 5:12 ESV

I notice that it doesn’t say his kingdom was established and exalted by God for David’s sake, but for the people’s sake.

The same idea applied to David’s son Solomon.

“Blessed be the Lord your God, who has delighted in you (Solomon) and set you on the throne of Israel! Because the Lord loved Israel forever, he has made you king, that you may execute justice and righteousness.” ~ 1 Kings 10:9 ESV

I have met and worked with my share of leaders who made it all about themselves. Some of them never ask questions of the people they lead; seldom ask them how they are doing, how they could be better served, better quipped, better developed in their walk and in their work. Some of these leaders spend time with others exclusively focused on their own dreams, desires and ambition expecting that the followers will serve them. Leaders wrapped up in themselves make awfully small packages. Nothing is as dangerous as a leader who is set on looking important, feeling important and being important.

But Jesus’ way of leading is to be more interested than interesting.

“ But Jesus called them together and said, you know that the rulers of this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you, it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be the first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” ~ Matthew 20:25-28 NLT

Going forward I want to be a leader who is continuing to grow in being interested in others rather than focusing on being interesting to others  by always talking  abut what interests me and not about what interests them. By His grace, may it be so.