The recently concluded series of Victory entitled Unpopular has
made a strong impact in me because it is applicable not only to the
upcoming elections (happening in five days), but also to our personal
growth as citizens who can lead in our own living spaces. It gave us an overview of the qualities we should look for in
choosing the leaders for our country and it reminded us of the type of
leaders we should aspire to be.
Leadership is usually regarded as a topic that should be discussed among
a specific group of people only because most people think that it is
solely for individuals who have people under their command or for those
who hold positions in government, offices and organizations. On the
contrary, we can all be leaders because leadership is influence. And all
of us are capable of influencing other people. Sociologists say that
even the most introverted person will influence at least ten thousand
people in his or her lifetime.
Social media has made it even easier for us to influence a
bigger audience. That is why with all the social media accounts that we
have, we want to gain more followers Twitter, more likes on Facebook and
more views in YouTube. It also has become a tool to measure the
magnitude of influence.
With this in mind, we must be gear our actions toward becoming leaders
worth following, deflecting from the widely known perception of what a
leader is. Thus, the title Unpopular.
1. A true leader is selfless.
It is natural for anyone to think of his own interest, but only a true
leader places others above himself. He constantly thinks of the welfare
of other people — needs, potentials and development. He also takes the
extra effort to protect them from violence, harm and from forces that
can cause people to feel demoralized.
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
— Philippians 2:3–4 NIV
2. A true leader serves.
Politicians are supposedly public servants.
They are elected to serve the people and candidates should not aspire
for position for personal gains. Being a leader is hard work as opposed
to what is believed by many. It is working for others' sake and for the
betterment of the people he serves.
The measure of a man is not how many servants he has but how many men he serves.
— Dwight L. Moody