The 4 towers of Leadership (Leadership Foundations)

A castle has 4 towers.

Like in Leadership it has also 4 towers.

In order for a castle to be built it should have at least 4 towers to serve as bones. The 4 towers of the castle are it's corners. The stronger the castle is the stronger it's bones are. It's the same with Leadership the stronger it's bones are the stronger and higher it's Leadership level.

I often see myself in the midst of Leadership scenario. In the school, church, ministry and sports. But in Leadership I'm a newbie. As I listen to my mentors, coaches and leaders I realize that there are 4 factors that greatly lay the foundation for Leadership. Well, as for me I can say it 4 towers of Leadership. These merely my own opinions and understandings I got from books and from my leaders.

1. The 1st tower: Character
Before you lead others you should 1st know how to lead your self. Because Leadership starts with your personal life. You should know how to handle your life. You can't lead if you can't live your life properly. Leadership is Character.
"Character is what you are in the dark". - Dwight L. Moody
Character is what you are when no one sees you.
First we should built the 1st tower(Character) in our castle(Leadership). Because it is where the castles(Leaders) differ from each other. If you laid the foundation of the 1st tower very strong surely your castle will be very strong.

The 2nd tower of the castle wouldn't be built without building first the 1st tower. The 1st 2 towers are the front towers of the castle. Of course the main gate of the castle in located in the front parallel to the front towers. It is where the people exit and enter, and it is also the weakness of the castle. If the front towers are improperly built so do the main gate. And when the main gate is weak, it will be easier for the outsiders to get in, then they will start to dominate the castle because its main gate has been crushed.
The front towers of leadership are very critical. It is where the castle(leaders) will be determined. It is the starting point of the castles(Leaders).

2. The 2nd tower: Service
Once the 1st tower has been lain, it will natural for you to express your inner self. You don't have to worry about how you will speak and act in public. Your second nature will be dependent on your 1st nature (Your Character). Of course that's the time you will have the heart to serve because it begins within your 1st tower. 2nd tower in castle cannot be build without the 1st tower, the architects and engineers will be confused about it and also for the pheasants. If your 1st tower is right, so your upcoming towers will be. You will develop the passion for Service. Leadership.
Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of servant leadership. Jesus washed the disciples' feet, so should we. Jesus came here on earth not to be served but to serve, so should we.

"Whoever wants to be the most important person must take the last place and be a servant to everyone else." - Mark 9:35

3. The 3rd tower: Influence
Now after you develop a servant attitude. You will be influencing others. You can't lead others without influencing them. Influence is the identity or the real mark of a leader. If you are a leader you should be influencing others. There is the test of being a true leader. You could be leader either through position/power or leader through authority. You shouldn't be scaring or lording over the people rather you should be the one who is setting the example, making the standards, having the right motives and proper attitude. In that way you will influence you friends, cousins, relatives, neighbors and even your officemates.

There is nothing more I can overemphasize this that "The real test of Leadership is influence".

4. The 4th tower: Humility

And lastly, the Tower of Humility: it is where your leadership depends and lies. It is where you could fall or rise up. If you are humble you will be wise in spirit then you will be trainable and teachable which is the entrance of your success in becoming a leader. Whenever you are corrected or rebuked you will have a teachable spirit making you more fruitful and giving you wisdom. But If you've got pride, Oh no.. That's the start of your castle's(leadership's) downfall.

Humility is very crucial in leadership.

"Remember God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." -James 4:6