One of the essential elements of leadership is an understanding of how to safeguard the gains of leadership. Every leader must be able to understand the gains of his or her leadership, and also must be able to properly safeguard it. In Matthew 5:17 (MSG), the Bible showed us something that Jesus said. It says: “Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in a vast panorama (view, outlook)” In other words, Jesus was saying He didn’t come to destroy the works before Him (the law and the prophets) but rather, to put it into a proper context.

 

So, what then does it mean to safeguard the gains of leadership? Safeguarding the gains of leadership involves maintaining the progress that has been made under a particular leader's leadership and ensuring that the gains are not lost after they are done with their leadership assignment. In John 21, Jesus was speaking to apostle Peter about His works and the assignment He had kickstarted for the disciples to carry on. if you read from verse 15-17, the Bible says:

 

“So, when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.” ¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.” ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, you know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep”

 

So, it is every leader’s pride that the gains of their work continues once they are done with their leadership assignment. And in these verses above, Jesus was simply saying to Peter, “safeguard what we have been able to do together in the last few years.” There are several key steps that can be taken to safeguard the gains of leadership:

 

1. Establish A Strong Foundation: Every leadership gains that would be safeguarded must of necessity begin on a strong foundation. In Ephesians 2:19-22, the Bible says: “Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, ²² in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Sometimes, you ask yourself: How come the work of God on the earth has been preserved for this long? It is because it is founded on a strong foundation. Leaders can safeguard their gains by ensuring that they build a strong foundation for their organizations during their tenure. This can include establishing clear goals, values, and culture that can guide the organization even after the leader leaves.

 

2. Document Successes and Best Practices: It is important to document the successes and best practices achieved under a leader's tenure. This can help ensure that these practices are continued and improved upon by future leaders. In Habakkuk 2:2, the Bible says: “Then the LORD answered me and said: Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.”

 

3. Have and Develop a Succession Plan: A well-developed succession plan can help ensure that the organization continues to function effectively after a leader leaves. This plan should identify potential successors and provide them with the training and experience they need to take on leadership roles. This was exactly what Jesus did with His disciples. In John 14:12-16, the Bible says:

 

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. ¹³ And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. ¹⁴ If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. ¹⁵ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. ¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. ¹⁸ I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.”

 

4. Build a strong team: A strong team can help safeguard the gains of leadership. Leaders should focus on building a team of competent and committed individuals who can continue the work of the organization even after the leader departs.

 

5. Communicate effectively: Effective communication is key to safeguarding the gains of leadership. Leaders should communicate clearly and regularly with stakeholders, including employees, customers, and investors, to ensure that everyone understands the organization's goals and is committed to achieving them.

 

In conclusion, safeguarding the gains of leadership requires a combination of strong leadership, effective communication, and a focus on building a strong foundation, developing a succession plan, and building a strong team.

 

This is where we're going to draw the curtains on today's episode of Leaderview, I believe you have picked one or two lessons that you are going to apply in your leadership when it comes to Safeguarding the Gains of Leadership. Please don't forget to share this podcast, like it. And also Drop your comments with me in the comment section so that we can get to interact with ourselves and also help our leadership by interacting and sharing solutions to whatever problem or obstacle that we may be facing in our leadership. Till next time on Leaderview, God bless you.

Thanks for the gift of your time, I am Obayomi Abiola Benjamin!

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