Adopt loving as your winning strategy

                          By Bayo Ogunmupe

    The Bible says, "Love never fails,"1 Corinthians 13:8. Money does not bring happiness, fame doesn't bring self worth and revenge doesn't bring satisfaction. The only thing that never fails is love. Napoleon Bonaparte's intellectual greatness and intense egotism make his tribute to the supremacy of leadership by love all the more striking. He said, "Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne and myself founded great empires; but upon what did the creations of our genius depend? Upon force. Jesus alone founded His empire upon love and to this day millions would die for Him." 

    Many times, leaders are just power holders. Because you cannot love others without  making yourself vulnerable, for people see expressing love as a weakness. But actually, you cannot love without keeping all your options open. To truly love whether your spouse, your children or your followers, you must give yourself unreservedly that you can be hurt and even be rejected. The fundamental principle upon which power holders operate is to protect themselves and everything they have.

    Whereas, the fundamental principle of true leadership is to give of yourself without restriction. Love as an intrinsic characteristic of leadership seems outmoded in the modern world. But according to the scriptures, love is the best winning strategy in your race for success and recognition in the world. It is applied love that made Bill Gates the greatest and richest billionaire in the world. His love of humanity made him create more billionaires in his Microsoft Company than any other company in history.

    But if you love only those who love you, what credit is that to you? Luke 6:32. Love being talked about here isn't sexual affection. It is compassion, caring, concern for the well-being of another. It is the absence of compassion for Nigerians at large that allowed our leaders to open the national treasury for their kinsmen to loot rather than taking care of the populace. The Bible said you must be compassionate, just as Jehovah is compassionate to all of us. Do not judge others or it will all come back against you.

    Do not condemn others, forgive others and you will be forgiven. Give and you shall receive. Your gift will return to you in full, ten fold, pressed down shaken together to make room for ore running over. The amount you give will determine the amount you get. Christ's critics asked Him, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Matthew 22:36. His answer is a timely reminder to leaders and followers alike. This includes those who sit in the pews and those who stand in the pulpit. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment," Matthew 22:37. As a leader you must never leave a question in anyone's mind as to who is God and who isn't.

    God said you shall have no other gods before Me- Exodus 20:3.This is important because you are never in greater danger than when people begin to praise you. Christlike leader discourages adulation and shies away from the limelight. Only when a leader becomes impervious to applause and approval, is god glorified in his  leadership. "Teach the wise and they will become wiser," Proverbs 9:9. Whether God has called you to be a leader in politics, religion or business; there are two important principles you must always practise.

    One, reach for people who stretch you. You can tell a lot about the direction your life is heading  by looking at the people you hang out with. Their values and priorities will impact on the way you think and act. If their values are positive and dedicated to growth, they will encourage you and reinforce your desire to grow. It is not always comfortable to associate with people who are ahead of you in prosperity. But is always profitable to follow them. So, try to cultivate relationships with people who will stretch you. But unless you contribute to the table such relationships will not last.

    Two, you must realize there are tradeoffs. As responsibilities increase, rights will increase. In a world where perks and privileges accompany the climb to success, you must give thought to the responsibilities of the upward journey. The great American millionaire John Rockefeller said, "Every right implies a responsibility; every opportunity, an obligation; every possession, a duty." the bottom line in leadership is "To whom much is given, from him much will be expected and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more." Luke 12:48.