Leadership refers to people with influence, which means all of us are leaders because we all have some level of influence with others. That was one of the key points from guest speaker Bill Butterworth's message on Sunday, Dec. 3 at Community Church.
Whether you’re at the peak of your career or out of work doesn’t matter. All of us are leaders and are influential. Here are more highlights from Bill's message:
*Every day we have the potential to influence others. 1 Peter 5:3 talks about one of the significant qualities of a leader, and that is to be an example to others. The Greek word for example is tupon, which also means the imprinted image left by a dye cutter. We leave imprints on others every day. That same word shows up in John 20:25 when “Doubting Thomas” wants to see the imprint — tupon — that the nails made on the hands of Jesus.
*In Deuteronomy 6:7 we see the full spectrum of what an everyday influencer should look like. We are to teach our children by words and actions. Like a two-sided coin, being an influencer involves both words and actions. You need to teach in a positive way and also live out what you teach.
*There have been studies done showing that simply spending time with someone, such as with your children, can make a major impact on their life. There aren't necessarily profound words of wisdom shared. Everyday influence can occur in the simplest ways. This goes back to the idea that often we are influencing others and we don’t even realize it. It’s not some big profound moment. It’s sharing life together. Sometimes a simple comment makes all the difference in the world.
*Genesis 24:27 in the King James version says: "I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren." It isn’t saying you are in the way and should step aside. It actually means: 'I’m being where I was supposed to be, and God took it from there.’ The most effective influence doesn’t occur when you orchestrate and try to make things happen. Instead, in every-day life, when you are doing what you do at work or home or on the road, you can influence others by the way you treat them, talk to them and act in their presence.
*Bill cited a personal example of the best day he ever had with his dad. He was 8 years old and on Thanksgiving Day got to go to work with his dad, who introduced him to a typewriter and said: “You might like this.” Bill fell in love with writing, and a major reason was his dad saying and doing something simple. We have no idea how our simple words and actions can influence others.
Bill Butterworth's latest book "Everyday Influence" can be purchased at Amazon.com. To learn more about Bill go to his website: billbutterworth.com
