There are 3 major characteristics that every leader must have to influence others and gain trust.

1) You must engage…

People need to know that you’re “with” them. Your speech and actions must be an investment into the lives of those you lead. No one will follow a leader that is not sharing life (the good, bad, and ugly) alongside them. All people want to identify with a leader, therefore you must give them the opportunities to share in your life as well.

2) You must equip…

Are you the person others lean toward for the primary vision, resources, challenges, and questions that produce positive change? If not, then you’re probably not the leader.  When people are sinking they need a leader to throw them a life saver not a cement block. If you are going to equip others you must know where the gaps are and how to fill them in the organization and the person. You must be visible, knowledgeable, accessible, and in rhythm within your organization and its people.

3) You must encourage…

You really never know what someone is personally going through. A true leader has invested personal time into those he/she leads and can read there emotions. Great leaders can see the best in people and bring it to the surface even when a person is at there worst. They can inspire people with words, attitudes, and actions. When all hope is lost people turn to those who can find and create it. Be the person who provides hope in a crisis and when all the odds are against your people!

Extra: As governor, Nehemiah says that he didn’t take advantage of food and land allotments that were allowed him due to his office, because there was already such a great burden on the people of his province. (Nehemiah 5:14–19) In the face of Jerusalem’s destruction Nehemiah (one of the shortest men recorded in the bible) brought hope to his people by leading them to rebuild the walls in just 52 days. Each family repaired/guarded the wall that was in front of their home. Nehemiah, on the other hand, rolled up his sleeves and repaired some of the nastiest areas of the walls himself. The unclean areas others would not have ever touched.  May we all strive to learn from great sacrificial leaders like Nehemiah.