MODULE 4
THE STRATEGY OF INFLUENCE FOR GROWTH (PART 2)
Building Greatness Through People Development
“Strategic leaders do not merely discover great people—they develop greatness in ordinary people.”
Key Scriptures
- 1 Samuel 16:13
- 1 Samuel 22:1–2
- 2 Samuel 23:8–17
- Romans 8:28
- Zechariah 4:10
- 2 Timothy 2:2
Learning Objectives
At the end of this module, participants should be able to:
- Understand why strategy is essential to fulfilling God’s purpose.
- Learn how David built lasting influence by developing ordinary people.
- Distinguish between seeing facts and seeing God’s possibilities.
- Apply the Law of Process in leadership development.
- Build sustainable leadership by investing in people.
Introduction
In the previous module, we learned from Joseph that lasting influence is built through faithful service, excellence and a good reputation.
In this module, we turn our attention to another remarkable leader—David.
Joseph teaches us the power of service.
David teaches us the power of people development.
One lesson stands out clearly:
Nobody sustains greatness alone.
Leadership is not merely about achieving personal success. It is about raising people who will multiply your influence and continue your legacy.
1. Anointing Must Be Accompanied by Strategy
David was anointed by God while still a shepherd boy.
The anointing confirmed God’s purpose for his life, but it did not immediately place him on the throne.
Instead, the anointing attracted opposition.
Saul became threatened.
Enemies increased.
Opportunities seemed limited.
Many believers wrongly assume that once God anoints them, everything will become easy.
The Bible teaches otherwise.
The anointing gives purpose.
Strategy provides direction.
Without strategy, potential remains unrealised.
Game Changer Principle
Anointing reveals your assignment. Strategy determines how you fulfil it.
2. Stop Waiting for Powerful People to Lift You
David could have spent his life trying to gain Saul’s approval.
Had he depended entirely on Saul, he might never have become king.
Many leaders make the same mistake today.
They spend years seeking validation from influential people while neglecting the opportunities already around them.
Promotion rarely comes through persistent begging.
It comes through proven value.
Instead of chasing positions, build capacity.
Instead of seeking favour, become valuable.
3. David Started a Movement
When David fled from Saul, he did not find an army waiting for him.
He found people who were distressed.
People who were in debt.
People who were discouraged.
These were not the kind of followers most leaders would choose.
Yet David saw beyond their present condition.
1 Samuel 22:2
“And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became captain over them.”
Others saw broken people.
David saw future leaders.
This is the heart of strategic leadership.
4. Great Leaders See Potential, Not Just Problems
Leadership is the ability to see what others cannot see.
Many people judge others by their current condition.
God looks at their future.
David recognised hidden greatness where others saw failure.
Your greatest team may already be around you.
The challenge is learning to develop them.
Game Changer Principle
Average leaders recruit polished people.
Great leaders polish ordinary people.
5. Two Mirrors Every Leader Must Understand
Mirror One: The Mirror of Facts
Facts describe present reality.
Facts tell us what currently exists.
The men around David were:
- Distressed.
- In debt.
- Discouraged.
- Rejected by society.
These facts were true.
However, facts are temporary.
They can change.
Many leaders become discouraged because they focus only on what they see today.
Mirror Two: The Mirror of Reality
Reality goes deeper than appearances.
Reality sees what people can become through God’s grace, training and opportunity.
Years later, the same men became David’s mighty warriors.
(2 Samuel 23:8–17)
The difference was not their background.
The difference was leadership.
David invested in them until they became extraordinary.
Strategic leaders learn to see God’s possibilities before the world sees results.
6. Build Greatness from What You Already Have
Many leaders continually pray for better people.
David developed the people already available.
God often begins with what is in your hand rather than what is beyond your reach.
The greatest organisations, ministries and movements were rarely built with perfect people.
They were built by leaders who believed in imperfect people and helped them grow.
Stop waiting for ideal circumstances.
Start building with what God has already entrusted to you.
7. The Law of Process
Everything valuable develops through a process.
Trees grow gradually.
Buildings are constructed one stage at a time.
Character develops over time.
Leadership is no different.
The Law of Process teaches that:
What you possess today contains more potential than you currently recognise.
Your responsibility is to nurture, improve and multiply it.
Strategic leaders refuse shortcuts.
They embrace growth.
They invest in people.
They celebrate progress.
They understand that sustainable success is built patiently.
8. Consumer Leadership versus Productive Leadership
There are two kinds of leaders.
Consumer Leaders
They constantly search for ready-made people.
They complain when people are imperfect.
They move from team to team looking for ideal followers.
They inherit success but struggle to sustain it.
Productive Leaders
They develop people.
They mentor.
They coach.
They disciple.
They inspire.
They transform weaknesses into strengths.
Their influence lasts because they continually produce new leaders.
David was a productive leader.
He built his own team.
That team became the foundation of a kingdom.
9. Why Some Leaders Leave No Lasting Legacy
Many successful parents struggle to transfer their influence because they give their children comfort without developing character.
Meanwhile, many great leaders emerge from humble backgrounds because hardship often develops resilience, discipline and determination.
Leadership is not inherited.
It is cultivated.
Your greatest legacy will not be what you accumulate.
It will be the people you develop.
Characteristics of Leaders Who Develop People
Such leaders:
- See potential before performance.
- Invest patiently in others.
- Build people before building organisations.
- Coach rather than control.
- Encourage growth instead of demanding perfection.
- Believe transformation is possible.
- Create opportunities for emerging leaders.
- Celebrate the success of others.
Self-Assessment
Rate yourself from 1–10.
- I see potential in people.
- I intentionally mentor others.
- I remain patient with people’s growth.
- I develop leaders rather than doing everything myself.
- I focus on long-term impact instead of immediate results.
- I believe God can use ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
What area requires improvement?
Group Discussion
- Why did David succeed with people others had rejected?
- What is the difference between seeing facts and seeing God’s reality?
- Why do many leaders prefer recruiting talent instead of developing people?
- How can organisations intentionally build future leaders?
Practical Activities
Activity 1: Discover Hidden Potential
Identify three people around you whom others may overlook.
Write down the strengths you see in each person and how you can help them grow.
Activity 2: Become a Leadership Coach
Choose one individual to mentor over the next thirty days.
Meet regularly.
Pray together.
Teach.
Encourage.
Review progress.
Activity 3: Leadership Inventory
Answer honestly:
- Am I building followers or future leaders?
- What systems have I created for leadership development?
- If I leave today, who can continue the work?
Personal Reflection
- Have I been waiting for perfect people before pursuing my vision?
- Do I judge people by their past or their potential?
- Who has God placed around me that I should begin developing?
- What legacy will my leadership leave behind?
Memory Scripture
2 Timothy 2:2
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
Key Takeaways
- Anointing alone is not enough; it must be supported by strategy.
- Great leaders build movements by developing ordinary people.
- Facts describe the present; faith sees future possibilities.
- Leadership is the art of discovering and developing potential.
- Sustainable influence is built through the Law of Process.
- Your greatest legacy is not your position but the people you raise.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for seeing potential in me when others saw limitations. Give me eyes to recognise the gifts You have placed in people around me. Help me to become a leader who develops others with patience, wisdom and love. Teach me to trust Your process and never despise small beginnings. May my leadership produce men and women who will transform communities, nations and generations for Your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Leadership Challenge
Over the next two weeks, intentionally invest in one person who appears overlooked or underestimated.
Encourage them.
Pray with them.
Teach them.
Create opportunities for them to grow.
Ask yourself each day:
“Am I merely leading people, or am I developing future leaders?”
