There are questions that keep coming up for leaders on the subject of a developing vision. One of them is: will people accept the vision and follow it? That question implies that people follow a cause. But they don't. The answer to that question can be given with a counter-question: Do people trust the leader?
Many believe that if the cause is good enough, people will automatically stand up for it and follow. But that is not how leadership works. People do not first follow a good cause, but a good leader who champions a good cause. People believe first in the leader and only then in the vision. Listeners filter every message through the messenger who delivers it. You cannot separate the leader from the cause that is advanced through them. It is not an either-or, because the two always belong together.
Who would have accepted Gideon as a leader? Certainly not even Gideon himself, for he did not see himself as a leader.
Judges 6:12-16
12 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.
13 And Gideon said unto him, Oh my Lord, if the LORD be with us, why then is all this befallen us? and where be all his miracles which our fathers told us of, saying, Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt? but now the LORD hath forsaken us, and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites.
14 And the LORD looked upon him, and said, Go in this thy might, and thou shalt save Israel from the hand of the Midianites: have not I sent thee?
15 And he said unto him, Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house.
16 And the LORD said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man.
"Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel?" Gideon answered the angel who told him God wanted to commission him to defeat the Midianites. "Behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house." (Judges 6:15).
Despite the doubts Gideon himself had, God commissioned him. The people rallied around Gideon, and he led Israel to one of the most important victories in the nation's history.
How did Gideon win the trust of his people?
Gideon grew from an insignificant member of an insignificant clan into the leader of the northern tribes. He grew in his leadership role through several stages:
1. He started small (Character)
A good leader proves themselves first with those closest to them. Gideon took ten of his household servants and, with their help, tore down an altar of Baal and built a new altar on the same spot.
2. He won over an influential person (Charisma)
The men of Ophrah became angry with Gideon when they discovered that he had torn down the altar of Baal. "Bring out thy son," they commanded his father Joash, "that he may die" (Judges 6:30). But Gideon gained a powerful ally in his father. Joash stood up for his son and spared Gideon's life.
3. He expanded his circle (Credibility)
Gideon quickly won the trust of his city after his father stood up for him. Then came the Abiezrites (the people of his region), as well as tribes beyond his own borders: Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali. Even the people of Ephraim joined him. Once a core group of people has joined a leader, it becomes possible to expand the circle.
4. He acted at the right time (Culmination)
So many people joined Gideon's leadership that God had to send some of them home (Judges 7:2). God reduced the number of Gideon's followers to 300. They fought under Gideon's leadership and won a great victory in which God received the glory.
Seven things followers want to see in a leader
People regularly ask themselves: "Why should I keep following my leader?" Leaders must understand clearly that people follow them, not the vision. Once people have gained trust in the leader, they will also trust the vision. The following seven qualities increase a leader's attractiveness and, with it, their influence.
1. Calling
Few things are as convincing as a clear calling. Before this, Gideon had lived in fear, doubted himself, and asked for several signs to confirm his mission. But once he had accepted his calling, passion and boldness filled his heart (Judges 6:25ff).
2. Insight and wisdom
People respect a leader who sees the problems with insight and wisdom and casts a vision to solve them. God gave Gideon insight into the fearful hearts of the Midianites. When Gideon then called his men to battle, he knew that God had secured the victory for them (Judges 7:9-15).
3. Charisma
People flock to leaders who make them feel good about themselves. When Gideon invited the people of Ephraim to join the pursuit of the Midianites, they reacted angrily. But Gideon showed them the significance of their role by reminding them that they had captured and killed the princes of the Midianites (Judges 8:1-3).
4. Talent
The entertainment industry is the best proof that people flock around special talent. While not much is known about Gideon's natural abilities, the angel called him a "mighty man of valour" and instructed him to "go in this thy might" (Judges 6:12-14). Most likely Gideon possessed both physical strength and tremendous courage.
5. Competence
People are naturally drawn to someone who gets things done. Gideon did not try to bring the Ephraimites on board until he had proven his competence. Only after that did they join him and follow his leadership.
6. Communication skills
A leader who cannot communicate their calling and vision has a hard time convincing anyone to follow their leadership. Whenever Gideon spoke to his people, they understood him and followed him eagerly.
7. Character
It takes character to win and keep people's trust. Gideon was strong at the start and stood up when others did not. He showed courage in the face of incredible odds. But in the end, a weakness in his character betrayed both him and the people. After his victories, Gideon made an idol and set it up in Ophrah: "And all Israel went thither a whoring after it: which thing became a snare unto Gideon, and to his house" (Judges 8:27).