Leadership and Listening

How do you view leadership? What part does listening play in leadership?

In Churches, Cultures and Leadership by Mark Lau Branson and Juan Martinez, I was recently convicted that leadership in the church is much more about listening than we give it credit for. As I think back over how I have been impacted about understanding leaderhsip I realize that I have not really valued listening.

I ignored the importance of listening to the people I will lead because I have been colonized into believing that "real" leadership is about setting a vision, direction and pulling people on board. Now this type of leadership may work in the corporate world, but is it best for the life of a church? I am beginning to think NOT.

I will be pondering on the idea the church leadership is about being a leader that listens to the heart, experience and feelings of those I am leading while trusting that God will be speaking in the midst of all of this.