Welcome to the Transformational Leadership Series (TLS). Today we will discuss Leadership and Influence but from the perspective of purpose.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership involves “influencing people—by providing purpose, direction, and motivation—while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization” (U.S. Army Leadership Field Manual). Today’s posting will focus on leadership influence derived by providing purpose to followers, rather than solely through position(s) held or titles.
INFLUENCING BY PROVIDING PURPOSE
Leadership that transforms involves influencing people by providing among other things:
- purpose
- direction
- motivation
To inspire followers is to influence or animate them with an idea or purpose. Leadership is about influencing people by giving them a reason to do things (purpose). Purpose is about influencing people by giving them an intention, aim or goal. Purpose is defined as:
1. That which a person sets before himself as an object to be reached or accomplished; the end or aim to which the view is directed in any plan, measure or exertion.
2. Intention; design. This sense, however, is hardly to be distinguished from the former; as purpose always includes the end in view.
3. End; effect; consequence, good or bad. [Webster’s 1828 Dictionary]
From the definition above, we deduce that ‘leadership by purpose’ involves giving followers a reason for being, an end, effect, or an aim which inspires, stimulates and empowers them in pursuing a particular enterprise or matter—good or bad.
EXAMPLES OF LEADERSHIP BY PURPOSE
In the Holy Scriptures, specifically, Acts 19:24-35, the story of a silversmith named Demetrius is told, who made silver shrines of Artemis. He brought in a lot of business for silversmiths who made figurines of Artemis in Ephesus. When Apostle Paul went to Ephesus to introduce Jesus and the Gospel, Demetrius was very irate and so decided to LEAD a revolt against the gospel or good news that Paul brought. To do this, all he had to do was give the silversmiths a purpose or a reason to follow him in the revolt. He said:
“You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.”
Demetrius painted a bad purpose or consequence for the silversmiths and by influencing them with this purpose, they revolted, attacked the venue and chanted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
EXAMPLE 2
Another example of leadership by purpose is church establishments around the world. Many are set up because they are motivated by a purpose, goal or aim called the Great Commission. This Co-mission in Jesus’ words is as follows:
Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Inspired by this end in view, consequence, aim or purpose, many Christian establishments have set up churches and denominations to help fulfill that Co-Mission.Remember the definition of leadership. Leadership involves “influencing people—by providing purpose while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization. For Christians the mission is the co-mission.
In closing, purpose is a powerful leadership influencing tool. Next week, we will consider influence by providing direction and subsequently leadership by motivation.
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