LEADERSHIP: THE DIFFERENCE MAKER

There is no challenge, no obstacle, no situation too big when your have the right leadership.

The following is an account of some of the most influential and greatest leaders known throughout history. Their life leadership influence can be said to have changed history.When reviewing this list you will find that each leader comes from a different time, a different set of circumstances, and possesses a different set of qualities. Leaders develop themselves because they become passionate for a purpose. They all have gone through various obstacles to achieve what God had placed in their hearts. This is not an exhaustive list but just a few that will give you an understanding of them so that you can see how your leadership will make a difference.

Periods of Decline described in Orrin Woodward and Oliver DeMille’s book, ‘Leadershift’ are always evident when leaders make a difference. But make no mistake about it that it was the leader with the quality of courage that stands out. It’s been said that courage is the number one leadership quality because without it no other qualities can be developed. Alexander Solzhenitsyn said, “Should one point from our ancient times – the decline of courage has always been the beginning of the end.”

When a person rises to leadership they learn to solve the problem at hand. One such leader is Alfred of Wessex who lived from 848 A.D. to 899 A.D. He is the only English King to be given the accorded title, 'Great'. He lived during one of the most dreary and calamitous periods of the medieval times. He accomplished many leadership successes that included: vision for the people, the first English navy, developing an educational system for the people, personal courage, and spiritual revival. Winston Churchill commented when looking back at Alfred's life in relation to the history of England that, "We are witnessing the birth of a nation."

Prince Henry the Navigator’s genius in systems attracted experts in geography, navigation, cartography, and research. They developed the imagination and intelligence to build the most extensive navel exploration because of the ability to train sailors and build ships. Adventurers were attracted from all ends of the earth to attend his navel academy. Muslims, Jews, Arabs, Italians, Germans, and Scandinavians were attracted to the vision and knew they would be prepared in the competencies necessary to achieve their goal. Ultimately, this changed the known world. When developing communities of leaders it is important to have a system in place to develop leaders necessary to make a difference.

Nathaniel Greene is one example of a leader rising from a most unlikely place. Not only did Greene work on his dad's farm but after his Father’s death he took charge of family’s foundry. He enlisted in the militia when the revolutionary war broke out and because of his leadership skills quickly rose to prominence as one of Washington's most trusted general's. He figured in several strategic battles that led to the surrender of the British.

Xenophon was a Greek historian and military hero who rose to leadership during the battle of Cunaxa. There he fought with Cyrus against the great Persian king Artaxerxes. An important lesson about leadership should be learned from his experience during that battle. Story has it that when Cyrus was killed during battle, his army was broken, and chaos developed. Outnumbered greatly, it looked like all was lost when someone off to the side of the troops began shouting orders reorganizing the phalanx. With improvement in organization, that individual began to communicate tactics and the tide of the fight quickly turned in favor of the Greeks. Afterword one of the captains asked who it was who took charge and won the day? No one seemed to know who took the leadership. Later it was discovered that it was Xenophon. Because he had risen to take charge when it appeared that the battle was lost, he was elected general to lead the Greeks back to the Black Sea and onward to safety. This is a great example of situational leadership. At times of trial, it's necessary to take control of one's destiny. 

 Born in Yorkshire England in 1590 William Bradford came from a time of great religious persecution and loss of religious and social liberties. Bradford is an example of how great leaders with courage rise out of bondage. He was willing to leave the comforts of home to fight for the principles of religious truth and social liberty. We should be proud to remember a man whose unwavering resolve for truth and liberty set the foundations for our country's freedom. He ultimately influenced the writing of the Mayflower compact, the first constitutional document in America.

Perhaps no other leader can get credited with so much but has so little written about him as Barnabas. Barnabas had an impact in a number of ways. One has to search the few lines in the New Testament to find out about him. His main claim to fame is that he influenced Paul. Initially he acted to connect Paul to the early Christian church. Paul, the greatest influencer of the New Testament had his way paved by Barnabas.Luke says he brought Paul together with the church leaders who accepted his participation. After Paul was accepted, Barnabas and Paul teamed up to become the most influential missionaries of the Christian faith.

William Wilberforce is a preeminent figure in history. He teaches lessons about what can happen when a group comes together with passion for a moral cause. Historian G.M. Trevelyan described the abolition of slavery in England as "One of the turning points in the history of the world." At that time, the slave trade was the dominant economy of that time’s greatest super power. Wilberforce collaborated with a group known as the "Clapham Circle." The lesson learned from studying Wilberforce is the power of Community building to make a significant difference in the outcome of history. Biographer John Pollack wrote, "Wilberforce proved that a man can change his times but he cannot do it alone."

Jonathan Edwards (1703 -1758) influenced the Great Awakening by standing for principles and truth. B.B. Warfield wrote, ”Jonathan Edwards stands out as one figure of real greatness in the intellectual life of colonial America.” His writings and sermons along with George Whitfield's helped shape the Great Awakening that influenced the thinking of the time and ultimately the American founding fathers.

This list can go on and on so space limits this account. It’s clear that leaders, both men and women, have and will prevail throughout history. When times of decline become evident, leaders stand up and lead. Each one of these people and their communities stands out as an example that there is no challenge, no obstacle, no situation too big when your have the right leadership.