Who said you can’t? I might have…unintentionally.
When we last spoke about the danger of a being charismatic leader I realized I made it seem like you can’t be both. And unfortunately a lot of people who are charismatic might’ve been turned off, “Well I guess its bad to charismatic! Let me work on being a leader of purpose. Lord, help me turn off this charisma!”
But you can be both.
Remember: Your job as a leader is to build something that lives beyond you.
Charisma is useful but purpose even more…and you do not have to divorce the two.
There are plenty of leaders who were charismatic as well as purposeful:
- What about David? He was handsome, outspoken, made headlines, knew how to rally people and yet his kingdom prospered after he died.
- What about Nehemiah? He rallied people around a great goal, made adjustments to adversity, stood up to his enemies, instituted a spiritual revival and YET he made sure what he built continued after he left.
- What about Paul? He turned cities upside down, planted churches, rebuked devils, judged heretics, and yet he knew how to delegate and regulate authority. He was a leader’s leader; and he set up strong successors.
- And what about Jesus? He cast out devils, healed the sick, raised the dead, preached a Message that made people’s head spin, and publicly confronted the religious leaders of His day. And yet He said, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do.” [1]
They were charismatic AND purposeful– and there’s no reason you can’t be the same.
But tell me…what do you think?
- John 14:12 (New Kings James Version)
