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Credible Leaders

Posted on January 10, 2006

We are influencers and influencers need to be credible so read on with hopeful anticipation.

“To be persuasive, we must be believable. To be believable, we must be credible. To be credible, we must be truthful.” Edward R. Murrow.

Headlines tell us that people have lost faith in their institutions and the individuals who run them. We have read too many times in recent days of organizations and leaders that have substituted power, control and manipulation for trust, honesty and respect. And if we allow self-interest to continue to motivate our actions the result will be a breakdown of character, integrity and credibility.

One of the acid tests of true leadership is credibility. Credibility forms the foundation not only of leadership but of all relationships. Credibility gives you the authority to lead as it builds trust and loyalty within your organization or ministry. Credibility facilitates a spirit of cooperation and teamwork, as you are known for your commitment to honesty, integrity and fairness.

One of the by-products of credibility is increased influence. The more confidence people place in you and your leadership the greater influence you will have. Cavett Roberts has observed; “If my people understand me, I’ll get their attention. If my people trust me, I’ll get their action.”

Credibility is not the result of a position or title. It isn’t gained in a seminar, symposium or workshop. Credibility is a lifestyle, not a single event. It is a pilgrimage rather than an incident. There are no shortcuts to credibility, as it is only earned over time. Image is what people think you are but credibility determines what you really are. And it can be lost in a moment with a careless word, an inappropriate action or an indiscretion.

If credibility is to be an important ingredient of Kingdom success then we need to make the following commitments daily:

  1. I will do what I say. Are you the same person, no matter who you are with or what the circumstances?
  2. I will live what I teach. Despite the difficulty, can others model your behavior as well as your words?
  3. I will be honest with others. Whatever the personal cost, are you committed to absolute honesty?
  4. I will put what is best for others ahead of what is best for me. Do you make decisions that are best for you when another choice would benefit others?
  5. I will be transparent, authentic and vulnerable. Is the “visible” you and the “real” you consistent?

Leadership isn’t a place of position as much as it is the positioning of character. And credibility is the distinguishing mark of character.

Carole Mayhall summarized well the message of credibility; “The how of being people worth listening to is by letting our lives be filled with God Himself. The why of being people worth listening to is because we are His and He wants us to radiate Him.”

As we walk more passionately with the Savior our lives will impact others with the life-changing message of the gospel. And only as credibility characterizes our conduct will others listen to that message. Martin Luther, the great reformer pronounced a brief, but expressive eulogy at the funeral of Nicholas Haussmann, a pastor at Zwickau. “What we preach, he lived.”

Rick D’Orazio
Conference Pastor

 

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