November 27, 2009
Four Criteria for Following
Both who I follow and who follows me is vital. Whether in real life or on Twitter or Facebook, the people I follow need to be people who influence me to be a better person, a better leader, a better follower, and a better thinker. If they do not meet at least two of those criteria, I do not follow them.
A Better Person. Someone who is better is not above someone else. A better person is someone who is humble, who understands servanthood, who knows that the world does not revolve around them and titles do not matter.
A Better Leader. A leader is someone who is the same behind the scenes as in public. No hypocrisy. No “sales and marketing,” dynamic, charismatic, slick perception set of expectations.
A Better Follower. A follower mentors me. A follower shows me how it’s supposed to be done. A follower has been down the road I’m traveling and wants to help me bypass the rocks and crags and the thieves yet still knows where I need to fall and get up and learn the lesson for myself.
A Better Thinker. A thinker challenges me. A thinker forces me to discern right from wrong, better from best, spiritual from biblical. A thinker forces me to think about my own priorities and my own lifestyle and whether I am a better person, a better leader, and a better follower.
Essentially, the full criteria can be found in Philippians 4:8-9:
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Question: Who are you following that causes you to be a better person, a better leader, a better follower, and a better thinker?
