Leading by asking

The year began for me with a strong inspiration from an age-old provision, though largely neglected by many over the years, and indeed till today. This provision can make life easier, enjoyable, and more fulfilling for everyone. I couldn’t help but note that it is especially true for leaders. Now, let’s consider this statement:

"So I say to you, ask and keep on asking, and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking, and you will find; knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. [10] For everyone who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; and he who keeps on seeking [persistently], finds; and to him who keeps on knocking [persistently], the door will be opened. - Luke 11:9-10 AMP

I call this a ‘blank cheque’ that is accessible for everyone to take advantage of. It is true that it is a statement of Scripture, but it equally has general appeal and application. This position is informed by the fact that two different illustrations that Jesus used to explain the statement were general in application. 

Who asked from whom?

In the first example, a man went to ask his friend for some loaves of bread at midnight. The friend showed up at midnight when he had no food in the house to give to his late-night visitor. This case had nothing to do with God in the sense that the man did not go to God to ask for bread. He went to his friend, a neighbour with whom he had a good relationship. His need for bread was satisfied.

In the second example that Jesus gave, a widow went to a judge to ask for protection against her adversaries. The widow was apparently being oppressed in some way or the other and needed help to checkmate her adversaries. Again, in this case, she was not asking from God but from a man. Her need for help was satisfied.

In both cases, the ‘persons’ they approached for help were sufficient to rescue them from their situation of lack and need.

All they did was to ‘ask’ for help.

Yes, they were persistent in asking but the more substantive point to bear in mind is the result they obtained. They received whatever they asked from their fellow men.

So, in line with the statement of Scripture quoted above, an eye-opener to the fact that the solution to our need lies with others, the promise was realized.

The phenomenon of lack

Why would anyone make such a provision in the first instance? That all you need to do is to ASK to receive what you need and don’t have? It is such a blanket provision.

In its literal form, it simply encourages and emboldens everyone to ask, seek, and/or knock, to secure what they desire. This statement acknowledges and anticipates the phenomenon of lack in the lives of every person. It is a provision to redress lack in the lives of people. It promises that if you have any lack, you have options that guarantee a way out.

Like the poor that will always be with us, lack is a phenomenon that every person encounters in the journey of life, the leader, and the follower. In fact, the very call to leadership is a call to provide for the needs of the follower.

 Lack expresses itself and is experienced in different ways. It could be the lack of money, wisdom, understanding, skill, peace, joy, knowledge, justice, direction, and promotion, to mention a few. Lack refers to a need that each person experiences and takes action to redress. The state of lack can be likened to a state of poverty, especially perpetual lack. It is ‘poverty’ in a specific sense, and no form of poverty is a pleasant experience.

A good leader understands that he or she is called to supply the needs of followers. That’s why David declared so confidently in Psalm 23, saying:

The LORD is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. - Psalm 23:1 AMP

The leader is called to recognize the phenomenon of lack and embrace the fact that he or she is an instrument for resolving it. If as a leader you are not supplying the needs of your people directly or empowering them to do so, you are missing it big time!

The promise of provision

What I really love about the statement we are examining here is not just the fact that it is not restricted to religion, but that it is a promise that resolves any lack suffered by anyone. That’s why I call attention to the fact that it represents a ‘blank cheque.’

Every lack is covered by the statement. Whatever you have reason to seek intervention for is covered by the statement. It is saying that every problem can be supplied with a solution, if only we would take the step to ask, seek or knock (which are all forms of ‘asking’).

The leader and follower ought to be encouraged by this. Both ought to understand that all needs encountered in their relationship can be met. The leader is assured that she can facilitate the supply of the needs of the follower while the follower is also assured that the leader is a veritable instrument for having her needs met.

On the part of both the leader and follower, lack should not be allowed to dominate their relationship since there is provision to meet them.

The privilege to ask

This statement also communicates a special privilege accorded us all. The dictionary describes a ‘privilege’ as a special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available to a particular person or group.

The statement grants the privilege to ask, seek and knock with the assurance of approval. What a special right! What a great advantage for anyone who would respond! What an immunity granted, an exemption from the challenge of lack.

Every leader ought to grant her follower this special right – the right to ask! If you acknowledge your role as a leader to include the supply of the needs of the follower, you must accord the follower the privilege to ask to meet their needs. On the other hand, every follower should expect to enjoy the privilege to ask with their leader. If the statement here is anything to go by, giving your followers the privilege to ask is not a big deal after all. It is an empowering privilege that helps the leader to succeed in her mandate.

Leaders should be open to entertaining demands from their followers related to their needs. Leaders who frown or push back when their followers ask for help must understand now that they are obliged to respond positively not only because it is well within the rights of their followers to ask but also because respecting these rights also help them to succeed in their leadership assignment.

The power of asking

This 3-letter word A-S-K is not only compelling but very powerful. It is the ultimate solution to any lack. If its power is not easily appreciated from the statement in Luke 11:9-10, you can consider this statement in addition:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. - James 1:5 NKJV

This additional statement makes clear that the solution to lack is to ask!

Whatever anyone lacks is resolved by asking. Put differently, no lack or need will take more than asking to resolve. Asking is truly powerful. It guarantees that we will receive whenever we do so, and except if we violate some ancillary conditions, there is no provision in these statements made for us to be denied our requests. I love that.

‘No’ is not the natural answer to the privilege given us to ASK! It is an exceptional answer, reflective of our lack of capacity to use the privilege skillfully.

Both leader and follower need to realize the power of asking and be committed to taking full advantage of it.

Eligibility is for all

When defining the word ‘privilege’ earlier, we mentioned that it is a special right reserved for a ‘particular group.’ That group in this case is not exclusive. The privilege to ask is extended to EVERYONE. This is the beauty of this statement of promise and principle.

In fact, verse 10 of Luke 11 states, “For EVERYONE who keeps on asking [persistently], receives; …” The privilege to take advantage of the power of asking is accessible to EVERYONE!

Accordingly, it is not even within the leader’s authority to hold this privilege back from any follower! When a leader does so expressly or inadvertently, it is a violation of the right of the follower.

We are dealing with a principle here that holds true for everyone and anyone. Again, this is what is powerful about principles. They are fair. No one has an advantage over another if both do whatever is required to get the results they desire and what’s within the promise of the principle.

Taking advantage of the power of asking

In the leader-follower relationship, the parties should create an atmosphere that respects this ASK privilege and encourage its active use. It can be viewed as a catalyst that promotes the development of the relationship and ensures that all relevant needs that arise during the leadership journey are met.

When you take a closer look at the relationship between Jesus and His team, we will observe that both parties took advantage of this privilege to ASK whenever they had a need. The leader was fond of asking his people questions and on a few occasions to address a need. He always knew what to do and ask when faced with a situation. The disciples on the other hand also asked the master for things they needed. One of the reasons why we know how to pray today is due to the question that one of the disciples asked, saying, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1-2)

When we don’t take advantage of the privilege to ASK, we simply allow lack and needs to run riot over our lives.

The ASK-TO-WIN CHALLENGE

In conclusion, I recently put together the ASK-TO-WIN Challenge to train leaders, business executives, professionals, etc on how to take full advantage of the privilege and power of ASK.

The 5-day challenge helps to develop and enlarge the capacity to ASK, update and upgrade the ASKing skill of participants, builds the competence to successfully meet the needs of participants, and empowers you to take proactive steps regarding your needs before they even arise.

You can join the challenge by clicking here. It is run on a monthly basis for those who desire a new life experience by activating this life-transforming truth.

Learn to lead by asking, dear leader!

Olatunji Sobodu

+234 809 891 1826 | emetlead@gmail.com