The Book on Leadership - Taking Courage

Finished Chapter 3 Of John MacArthur book on leadership. There is some good stuff in here. The insight to Pauls journey was insightful but felt like the insight dragged on. Here are the things I underlined:

- A LEADER SPEAKS WITH AUTHORITY
--- All of this means that a leader must know the Scriptures. He must believe with an unshakable conviction that God's Word is true. And he must be able to communicate the truth of God's Word with confidence and conviction.
--- The voice of authority must convey strength and power. Unless you really know what you're talking about, you can't speak clearly or with authority.
--- People are looking for authority they can trust. And people who love the truth will follow someone who communicates God's truth with authority. There's no need to tiptoe around facts, evade hard issues, or equivocate on clear matters. If you know the truth, speak it with authority. That's what true leadership does.
- A LEADER STRENGTHENS OTHERS
--- A real leader's aim is to make everyone around him better. He makes them stronger, more effective, and more motivated.
- A LEADER IS OPTIMISTIC AND ENTHUSIASTIC.
--- Optimistic enthusiasm inspires followers. People will naturally follow a leader who arouses their hopes, and they will just as surely back away from someone who is perpetually pessimistic.
--- You cannot be an effective leader and be pessimistic. People who are cynical and gloomy debilitate everyone they speak to. They're like bloodsucking leeches. They make people pale, weak, and passive.
--- On the other hand, optimistic enthusiasm creates energy, excitement, and hope. We who know the truth of God and have the promises of God should of all people be optimistic and enthusiastic. (Philippians 4:4)
--- Paul saw these circumstances as an opportunity to introduce unbelievers to his God.