Great leaders show others they are valuable by opening doors for them. Not physical doors but doors of opportunity to use their gifts and step into their callings. Are you someone who opens doors for others? 
 

Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Philippians 2:3  
 

CHARACTERISTICS OF LEADERS WHO ARE  “DOOR OPENERS” 
 

DOOR OPENERS RECOGNIZE AND CALL FORTH THE GIFTS AND DESTINY IN OTHERS. 

When you look at people you work with or those you lead, what do you see? Are you focused on the things they struggle with?  Or do you see their God-given gifts, talents, or destiny? 

Great leaders see past the flaws and mistakes and see the gifts inside of them. These leaders are able to see what God desires to do through those around them. Make sure you are calling forth the destiny by telling them what you see in them. 

Share things like, “I see you have the gift of teaching or you have an amazing gift of administration or organization. Encouragement goes a long way toward them walking in their calling.   

DOOR OPENERS USE THEIR INFLUENCE TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTHERS TO ADVANCE. 

Many times, I have created opportunities for others to go with me to speak or share part of the presentation. Who could you take along and share that teaching opportunity with? Perhaps you could recommend someone you know for a speaking gig, position, or role.  

DOOR OPENERS WOULD RATHER SEE OTHERS SUCCEED IN THEIR GOALS THAN FULFILL THEIR OWN. 

I always try to be the biggest cheerleader for my clients or colleagues. Sometimes we struggle with this but I have learned that when I consider others I always win too.  I love seeing others succeed and accomplish their goals.    

DOOR OPENERS ARE ALWAYS MENTORING OTHERS SO THAT THE WORK CONTINUES WHEN THEY ARE DONE.  

Leaders who are “door openers” do not see themselves staying in their position forever. The best way to continue the work that you start is to develop others to be able to lead well.  Great leaders are not hungry for the power they are focused on looking for others that they can train.   

DOOR OPENERS PASS THE BATON. HAVE YOU PASSED THE BATON?  

You can measure the strength of a person’s leadership by how many people they have trained that also understand that they should also train others.  TRAIN THE TRAINER TO TRAIN…  

Sometimes we give assignments to others, but hold on to the authority to make decisions ourselves. This isn’t what “door openers” do. Door Openers create opportunities (open doors), they give that person a chance to make the decisions. Emerging leaders will make mistakes (Like we all did) but it’s an opportunity for growth and development. We all experienced this and have to go back and remember our own journey when we are leading others.   

Are you afraid to give authority because you fear others will not do something as well as you would? 

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God”. Corie ten Boom 

Prayerfully make a decision to grow as a “door opener.” What is one thing you can do today to be a door opener? 

“Be an opener of doors.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Yolanda E Shields