day 702: Look Of The Leader

"David was dressed in a robe of fine linen, as were all the Levites who carried the Ark, and also the singers, and Kenaniah the choir leader. David was also wearing a priestly garment."

This past week I was reviewing video interviews for a senior position and I was surprised at how, even in this day and age, I was influenced a bit by the candidates who went to the extra trouble to put on a shirt and tie for the interviews. It could be that we are used to seeing those in positions of of influence and authority who come to us over a screen, still wearing coat and tie, or at least a tie. Whatever, it reminded me of the importance of establishing and taking on the look of the leader if we are to establish a level of credibility and confidence in our customers and partners. I remember a time when one of the people on my staff said that they didn't really want to see me come to work in shorts and tee-shirts. I asked why and he said, "We need to see you as a different than us sometimes, just to remind us..." I didn't understand that at the time, but I understand it more today as I look for leaders to inspire confidence and assurance in difficult times. The look of the leader is situational, but it is real and each leader should think about not only how they dress, but how they carry themselves, what they say, and how they treat others. Yes, of this is about the look of the leader.

God calls us to put on our garment of praise, bear the fruits of his spirit and to walk in His footsteps. Jesus had the look of the leader. People left what they were doing to follow Him. It wasn't about the robes or kingly linens that King David wore, it was likely the opposite in what Jesus wore. What we know is that Jesus exuded a spirit about Him that others wanted to drop what they were doing to listen to him. It was His spirit. This is the spirit that He has left behind for us to embody and do our best to be like. God has given each of us our chance to be a leader for Him. Are we taking on the look of the leader, or are we not paying enough attention to the words that we speak, the actions that we take, the treatment of others, the attitude that we approach each day with? Let us look hard at ourselves today and find the look of the leader, the look of Him!

Reference: 1 Chronicles 15:26-28 (New Living Testament)