Leadership is not just for the execs in the corner office. God has gifted each of us with specific talents and provided unique occupations for all of us. I know He does not care about titles!

Think about the Morse Code Operator in the movie Lincoln. He influenced the President to alter a decision / directive that he was about to make to the public. Or how about a child in a family that encourages his/her parents to go to church on Sunday when they wouldn’t normally have gone. These are examples of leadership without a title. 

We all have family, friends, and people that we deal with on a daily basis. Each of those relationships gives us a platform to be a leader, and someone who has a positive influence on others. Small gestures of intentional impact can alter a life in a positive direction.                                               

Evidence of this was on display during the opening sessions of 2014 Leadership Roundtable last week. I am so excited about the great variety of leaders we have in our groups this year.

 In addition to the normal business owners, CEO’s, department managers, pastors, and supervisors, some of the more unique occupations that are represented in the Roundtable this year include:

• Auctioneer
• World-renowned Shotgun Shooting Exhibitionist
• Master Plumber
• Farmer
• Real Estate Agent
• Scientist
• Doctor 

We are all leaders, and one of the core teachings of Triune Leadership Services is that we should work to be the same person in whatever venue that we are in, our personal life, spiritual life, or professional life.

We all have a unique platform to exhibit our leadership and our influence. Servant leaders are very intentional about using their platform to advance their purpose of positively impacting others. It was so interesting hearing about how each of the people in the occupations that I listed above are intentionally using their platform to make a significant difference in the world. Awesome! 

It is time that we all realize that we are leaders, and step up and discern how God would have us serving in our current capacity. We should develop the mind of a servant leader within our unique platforms. I encourage everyone to become intentional about the following:

• Be extremely clear on your personal purpose, vision, and values
• Encourage people at every possible opportunity
• Illustrate trust by giving people responsibility
• Ask for help, and be thankful when help is offered
• Have a never ending passion for personal and professional development
• Build relationships across all avenues of life – family / friends / professionally
• Build character by modeling your values
• Stay connected to the Creator and His calling on your life

I believe that becoming intentional on a daily basis with each of these actions will endear people to want to follow you, and increase your level of influence. As your platform increases, you have the wonderful opportunity to positively impact more lives. After all, isn’t that what we are called to do?

Mark Deterding 

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, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20