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Effective leaders are always on the lookout for good people. Everyone has a mental list of people they'd love to have in their organization. But whether they get someone doesn't depend on whether that person is on their list, but rather on who the leader is.
It's possible for a leader to recruit people who are different from themselves. But it's important to understand that in that case, people don't come because of the leader, but because of something else. The quality of the people doesn't depend on an HR process or the personnel department. It depends on the leader. If a leader thinks better people could come along, they should start working on themselves.
Elijah's Magnetism
What did Elijah have that drew other like-minded people to his side? The answer lies in the Law of Magnetism. Birds of a feather flock together. Or, as the leader, so the followers.
1. Every leader has a certain amount of magnetism.
Every leader attracts others. Highly charismatic leaders attract many people. But even the weakest leader has someone who follows them. If that weren't the case, they wouldn't be a leader, would they?
2. A leader's magnetism can be intellectual, emotional, or volitional.
Not all leaders influence people in the same way. Nor do they always use the same means of influence. The greatest leaders build a relationship with people on multiple levels: with the mind, with the heart, and with the will of their followers.
Elijah's magnetism influenced others on every level. When he defeated the false prophets of Baal, he overcame people's skepticism about God's power and about his own calling by having fire rain down from heaven. He connected with their minds. But that alone wasn't enough. To give his message greater emotional impact, Elijah first drenched his sacrifice with buckets of water. When the fire of God then set the offering ablaze, it was clear to everyone that God is the true God. The emotional connection was built. Finally he cried out: "Take the prophets of Baal." The people willingly followed his command and were obedient.
3. Magnetism in itself is neither good nor bad, but depends on what the leader does with it.
Charismatic leaders come in every form. On one side there are dictators, and on the other, martyrs. Why? Magnetism in itself is like money. It isn't good or bad in itself. Elijah used his magnetism to attract people who thought as he did, in order to fulfill his mission and expand his influence.
4. Secure leaders attract both similar and complementary people.
Every leader tends to attract people who are similar to them. Similar values, similar age, similar attitudes. Elijah's leadership attracted people who loved God and had a prophetic gift. Only secure leaders — who accept their weaknesses and know their strengths — also attract people who are their opposites.
5. A leader's magnetism is not static, it is dynamic.
A leader can refine their magnetism, cultivate it, and grow in it. Before Elijah dealt with crowds of people, he developed his abilities by helping a widow and her son. God prepared Elijah and gave him time so that his vision could be cultivated, so that his life's calling became clear, and so that he gained confidence in his tasks. These three things increased his level of magnetism.
Magnetism is more than just chemistry.
Mutual attraction is more than just chemistry. At least four elements must come together to produce it.
- Shared vision
People don't follow a leader if they don't respect the vision. The vision of both Elijah and Elisha was to follow God in order to serve Israel for the better. When Elisha got the chance to follow Elijah, he left his old life behind and followed Elijah's vision.
- Shared expectations
Shared expectations are the result of a shared vision. Elijah and Elisha both expected that they would do great things for God. Elisha expected, and received, a double portion of Elijah's anointing.
- Shared contribution
People follow leaders because they believe the leader will help them reach their goal. Leaders bring in fellow workers because they know these people will help them realize their vision. Both sides contribute to fulfilling the other's vision. Elijah was Elisha's mentor, and that gave Elijah the opportunity to learn what it means to be a leader after God's own heart. Elisha had to submit, follow the older prophet, and learn from him. The shared journey made both of them better leaders.
- Shared commitment
Without a high degree of commitment, it's not possible to reach a shared goal. When Elijah came to the end of his time, Elisha confirmed his commitment to Elijah. Elijah tried three times to send Elisha away, but Elisha answered three times: As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. (2 Kings 2:2/4/6). Elisha's commitment to Elijah produced an equally high commitment from Elijah to Elisha. And so Elijah did everything in his power to bless Elisha, and Elisha received a double share of Elijah's spirit.
Does a leader like what they see?
A leader can learn a great deal about their own leadership by looking at the people they have attracted. It may bring them joy. It may also alarm them. Regardless of where they currently stand, the leader can influence the further development of their magnetism.
2 Kings 2:1-15
Elijah Is Taken Up and Elisha Succeeds Him
1 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2 And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel.
3 And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
4 And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.
5 And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace.
6 And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.
7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan.
8 And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.
9 And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.
11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces.
13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;
14 And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over.
15 And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.