People follow those they respect. The less gifted follow those with greater gifting. This holds true in principle. Followers look for people who are better leaders than they themselves are.
The more leadership ability a person has, the faster they recognize leadership situations and know what to do — but also leadership mistakes. When a group of people comes together for the first time, leaders take charge after a short while. At first, the individuals in the group think about where they would like to go and who would come along. But after a period of getting acquainted, it does not take long before people follow the strongest leader in the room.
The Judge Deborah and Her Leadership
Deborah's leadership ability caused men and women throughout the land to respect her. In her time, some women managed to rise to important leadership positions. Even Barak, the military commander of the northern tribes of Israel, sought her counsel.
What made Deborah so widely respected? What can be learned from this for building respect today?
- She respected herself and those who worked with her.
Earning the respect of others always begins with respecting yourself. Deborah did this. People from all over Israel came to her to bring their disputes. If a leader wants respect, they must first develop a healthy respect for themselves and for the people around them.
- Exceed the expectations of others.
Some observers may have expected Deborah to change the life of the Israelites only a little. But Deborah did not just change it — she raised the standard of living and the quality of life in the land and led it into a season of peace. Leaders who earn the respect of others go the extra mile, fight for success, and bring others along with them.
- Stand up for your convictions.
It took a great deal of persuasive power for Deborah to win Barak over and send him into battle. Even when Barak doubted the campaign, she did not waver and proved her conviction by agreeing to accompany Barak into battle herself.
- Convey security and maturity.
Deborah never claimed the credit for success. But she recognized very precisely who had a large share in it. Leaders never attribute success to themselves alone, but give as much credit as possible to their people.
- Have personal success.
Leaders cannot help others succeed if they themselves have never succeeded. Deborah was successful as a prophetess and judge before she called the people to follow her into battle.
- Help others succeed.
Deborah did everything right when she led the people into battle. She gave the army a leader and the resources it needed. She also gave them a word from the Lord. Under her leadership, the hand of the Israelites bore harder and harder upon Jabin, the king of Canaan, until they destroyed him. (Judges 4:24)
- Think ahead for others.
Deborah did not just challenge Barak to go to battle — she also laid out a plan for how to win. She then went with him herself. The result was an overwhelming victory, and the people could not help but respect her for it.
Five Steps to Respect
Deborah built her respect by passing through these five stages.
1. Position
Positions and titles describe the lowest level of leadership. At this level, people follow the leader only because they have to. That was the point at which Deborah, too, began. Not only Deborah, but every leader begins at this level. But whoever remains at this level grows weaker rather than stronger over time. Leaders who expect people to follow them simply because they are the boss lose people's respect fairly quickly.
2. Permission
When people begin to like and trust the leader, they follow because they want to. People sought Deborah out to benefit from her wisdom and her influence. Healthy relationships make sustainable, successful leadership possible.
3. Production
At this level, respect for the leader grows because the leader, together with their team, produces results. People follow the leader because of what she has accomplished for the team and the organization. Deborah's success as a judge helped everyone in the land. When a leader has reached this level, they can accomplish a great deal with their team. But to bring about life-changing, lasting success, one more step is needed.
4. People Development
The highest calling of a leader is to help others develop their full potential. Deborah helped Barak fulfill the calling God had given him. At this level, the leader's focus — and the time and resources they invest — shifts toward other leaders with great potential.
5. Personhood
Leaders who spend their entire lives developing other organizations and people attain an incredible degree of influence and respect. People follow them because of who they are — their character. Deborah's description as the mother of Israel is an indication that she reached this level. Leaders cannot promote themselves to this stage. It can only be reached over time and by God's grace.
Judges 4:1-16
Deborah and Barak Defeat Sisera
1 And the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the LORD, when Ehud was dead.
2 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose host was Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles.
3 And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD: for he had nine hundred chariots of iron; and twenty years he mightily oppressed the children of Israel.
4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.
5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.
6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?
7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.
8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.
9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.
10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; and he went up with ten thousand men at his feet: and Deborah went up with him.
11 Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.
12 And they shewed Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam was gone up to mount Tabor.
13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
14 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him.
15 And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet.
16 But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left.