One of the most important qualities I have endeavoured to develop is the quality of insight. It is a characteristic that is usually found in people with the gift of leadership and helps them see things and take action before others do.
Insight is a critical quality that can be defined as perspective, intuition, vision and discernment. However, insight can be compromised by logic, fear, legalism and traditions.
There is no better example of a person with insight than that of Jesus. As I read through the gospels, I have developed the habit of taking notice of how Jesus displayed insight in its various forms in His day-to-day life and how it set Him apart as a leader.
Jesus was a person of insight and often saw things that others did not see. The religious leaders of His day sent spies to catch Him out in something He said, but “He saw through their duplicity.” (Luke 20:23)
On another occasion we read, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son your sins are forgiven.’” (Mark 2:5)
People with insight see…..
more than others see
further than others see
before others see and
deeper than others see.
Consequently, leaders need to :
- Grow in intimacy with the Father and have a sensitivity to what He is saying and doing.
- Find mentors who can model and instruct them in developing the quality of insight.
- Develop their leadership gift and in the process, nurture the quality of insight.
John Maxwell identified the following 3 levels of insight:
- Those who naturally see it.
- Those who are nurtured to see it.
- Those who never see it.