The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make

The 2015-2016 Young Leaders for God Class

This was the subject discussed in HAFF’s Young Leaders for God Class at their last meeting. Class coordinator, Derold Mompremier shared the main points of the discussion:

Leaders who are not governed by Christ make these mistakes:

1. Having an attitude of autocratic arrogance

2. Making decisions without consulting others

3. Lack of understanding when others don’t agree with the leader

4. Lack of clear and efficient communication

5. Placing more importance on the work than on relationships with workers

6. Not affirming workers enough

7. Not making room for mavericks, independent thinkers

8. Failing to delegate responsibilities

9. Failing to prepare someone to replace the leader

10. Failing to focus on the future

In contrast, here are examples of leadership that Jesus left us

1. He knew people (John 10:14-15)

2. He touched people (Luke 4:40)

3. He healed people ( Matthew 15:30)

4. He taught people (Luke 6:40)

5. He discipled people (John 13:15-17)

The class was then given Biblical examples of how to combat these mistakes. For example, they discussed these ways of encouraging people:

a) Listen to them (James 1:19)

b) Have compassion for them (Romans 12:15)

c) Comfort them (2 Cor. 1:3-4)

d) Help them carry their burdens (Gal. 6:2)

e) Encourage them verbally (1Thes. 5:11)

Derold (left) with 2 of the
Young Leaders for God

Derold went on to comment, “One of the participants we have this year is very involved as a musician and member of the youth choir in the church where his father is a lay pastor. He is a very strong IPB student, but also showed us that he is very thirsty for more spiritual knowledge and understanding. This young 17 yr. old told us that after he decided to come to the Young Leaders for God class a lot of his school friends made fun of him. So he decided he would just come at the beginning, but not continue. However, after the first 2 or 3 sessions he said, “’I realize that Young Leaders is the best place that I can be this year!.’”

“I have often had past students ask me ‘Why can’t we have the class for 2 years since it has blessed us so much?’ I explain that it was designed to be a 9 month course and we don’t have the means to carry it on for 2 years.”

“An IPB teacher, who is also a pastor, was discussing Young Leaders for God with me. We both agreed that the class wouldn’t have value for a person who does not know God. However, in a Christian institution, we both feel that it is one of the most valuable courses because it is here we disciple people. All over the world you find a lack of good leaders. It is particularly difficult to find a true Christian leader. A course like Young Leaders for God is at the heart of what a Christian institution should be teaching. “

Please pray for these young people as they learn to lead as Jesus led – to serve rather than be served. Also please pray for Derold and the other facilitators as they teach and model true Christian servant-leadership.