Young Christian leaders, like all followers of Christ, are called to make a difference in the world. Aspirations are noble but are just good intentions without action. Pursuing aspirations requires intentionality, dedication, and the development of key leadership skills. At Impact 360 Institute, we believe that leadership is not just about holding a position of authority but about influencing others for the ultimate glory of God. So, what are the first steps? How does a young adult begin to build their influence?
Here are four essential steps you can take right now to build your leadership skills and move from aspiration to action.
Embrace Your Calling
The first step in building your leadership skills is to embrace your calling. Reflect on your passions, strengths, and the unique gifts that God has given you. Ask trusted others what strengths they see in you. Seek guidance through prayer and Scripture and look for opportunities the Lord places before you. Take on the humble orientation that your leadership journey is not about achieving personal success but about genuinely serving others and advancing God’s Kingdom.
Cultivate a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset is an absolute essential for any leader. A learning leader is a growing leader. Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn to persist in the face of obstacles. Surround yourself with mentors and peers who encourage you to grow and will hold you accountable. Look to take advantage of any resources, mentorships, or assessments to better understand, practice and grow your skills and knowledge.
Develop Strong Communication Skills
Effective communication is fundamental to influence. You must learn how to best be able to articulate vision, inspire others, and build strong relationships. Take the opportunity to learn about and practice active listening skills, empathy, and how to increase clarity in your verbal and written communication. Seek to understand your unique body language and non-verbal cues and how they are perceived by others. By developing these types of communication skills, you will learn how to build trust and foster collaboration among a team.
Lead with Integrity
Influence that stems simply from authority has a time stamp that will invariably expire. Leading with integrity, however, will only strengthen influence over the years. This involves being honest, ethical, and consistent in your actions and decisions. As a Christian leader, your integrity must reflect the qualities of your life in Christ. Lead by example and these characteristics will flow into your team members. When the difficult decisions come, seek God’s discernment and prioritize what the right and just actions over what is easy and seemingly avoids consequences. The steady practice of integrity earns the respect and trust of those you lead.
Leadership through the model of Jesus is ultimately about serving others. Jesus set the ultimate example of servant leadership, and we are called to follow this and, as Jesus, seek to bring glory to God. By serving others, you demonstrate humility and compassion, and you inspire others to do the same.
Your leadership is not just about what you do, but about who you represent in Christ. Let your actions reflect His love and let your leadership be a testament to God’s love and grace.