You’ve come across this page because God is confirming that He is preparing you for leadership, and these “14 Signs God is Preparing You for Leadership” will serve as a powerful reminder of His work in your life. He placed this topic on your heart to encourage and strengthen you as you walk this journey.
Leadership, as God defines it, doesn’t always mean owning a large company or pastoring a big church. It means taking dominion over the people and/or territory God has entrusted to you and using your influence to win souls for His kingdom.
Remember, true leadership isn’t about seeking control or personal glory; it’s about bearing the fruits of the Spirit and glorifying God. A true leader’s heart longs to guide others onto the righteous path, serving them with humility and faithfulness until they reach spiritual maturity.
What are the signs God is preparing you for leadership?
1. God Gives You a Word
A main sign God is preparing you for leadership is receiving a prophetic word. Just like David and Joseph, you may have received a promise from God about your future, such as leadership or influence. These promises can come in various forms—through dreams, prophetic words, or even others recognizing and affirming leadership qualities in you.
Perhaps you’ve been repeatedly picked as a leader in different settings or had people suggest that you’re meant for greater responsibilities. However, these signs often require patience, faith, and perseverance through hardships. These difficult seasons serve to mold and refine you, strengthening your character as you wait for God’s timing. The word may not manifest immediately, but it’s the foundation on which your leadership will be built.
2. You’re a Pioneer in the Spirit
God often places you in unique, challenging situations that may feel uncomfortable or misunderstood by others. These moments strengthen your trust in Him, especially when the road ahead seems unclear. As a pioneer in the spirit, you may find yourself standing alone or facing obstacles that others don’t understand. Just like Noah, who was tasked with building a massive ark when others couldn’t see or understand God’s word, you may appear strange to those around you. But, like Noah, you remain faithful, knowing that God is preparing you to lead in uncharted territories. This is a sign of leadership because God will call you to do things others doubt because their blinded by pain and sin. But walking in faith, you are called to bring them higher, leading them toward healing and transformation.
3. You Love God and Follow His Word
At the core of God’s preparation for leadership is a deep love for God and a commitment to His word. As a leader, your relationship with God must be your foundation. His word is the guide that shapes your decisions, influences your actions, and strengthens your resolve. When your love for God is central to your leadership, it reflects in how you lead others, with integrity, love, justice, and faith.
4. God Gives You a Mentor
A major sign that God is preparing you for leadership is the presence of a mentor in your life. This mentor may appear in many forms—whether it’s a boss at work, a family member, or a friend—someone with great skills and talents in the role you are being prepared for. This individual will guide you, offering practical, emotional, and spiritual insights. Even Jesus, the ultimate leader, sought mentorship in the temple (Luke 2:46).
David learned under King Saul (1 Samuel 16:21), and Joseph served under Potiphar (Genesis 41:46). Even if you don’t have a clear mentor now, remember that God orchestrates your experiences, weaving them together for your growth. Ultimately, God and the Bible are your greatest mentors, shaping you through each circumstance.
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another” Proverbs 27:17
5. You Have to Wait on God
A clear sign that you’re called to leadership is your willingness to wait on God’s timing. During this waiting period, God refines you through trials and challenges that only He can orchestrate. Joseph waited over 20 years, enduring hardships like imprisonment and false accusations, before his dream was fulfilled. David also waited 15 years, serving under King Saul and fleeing for his life, before he became king. Your waiting is part of God’s preparation process, reminding you that only He can bring the leadership He has promised to fruition.
Related Article: 12 Benefits of Waiting Upon the Lord + Scriptures
6. You’re Being Pruned
A vital sign that God is preparing you for leadership is the pruning process. Just as a gardener removes dead branches to promote new growth, God removes impurities in your life to refine your character. This process helps you become a better reflection of Christ and bear more of the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, peace, and patience. Though pruning can be painful, it is a necessary step for growth and leadership.
If you’re feeling insecure, especially in situations that expose your weaknesses, take heart. This may be God’s way of humbling you and preparing you for leadership. Recognizing your own vulnerability helps remove pride and encourages you to rely on God instead of your own strength, talents, or abilities. In these moments, God teaches you to find strength in Him, making you more dependent on His guidance rather than your own efforts.
7. You Love People
True leaders have a heart for people. God is preparing you for leadership if you have a genuine love for others and a desire to see them thrive. Leadership is about guiding people into joy, growth, and the fullness of what God has for them. If you’re passionate about helping others reach their potential and experience the abundance of God, you are being called to lead.
8. You Feel Called
When God is preparing you for leadership, you will sense a deep, undeniable call to serve and lead. You may feel compelled to learn more about leadership, to refine your skills, or to step into new opportunities that allow you to grow in this area. This inner call is a clear sign that God is preparing you for something bigger.
9. You Possess Biblical Qualities of Leadership
If you view leadership as an opportunity to serve, lift others up, and remain humble, it’s a sign that you’re called to lead. Biblical leadership isn’t about self-promotion, but about serving others with humility, wisdom, courage, and compassion, reflecting God’s love through your actions.
Just like David, who wasn’t born into royalty but was chosen for his heart after God, your call to leadership is defined by your character, not your circumstances. As Jesus taught, “Anyone who wants to be first must be last” (Mark 9:35). If you are drawn to serve and lead humbly, it’s a clear sign that God is calling you to leadership.
10. You Live Above Reproach
If you are called to leadership, you understand that it’s not just about leading others, but about obeying God’s higher calling. Leadership requires living by a higher standard that aligns with God’s word and His will. You are held to a standard of accountability, integrity, and obedience to God, setting an example in all areas of life. If you seek to live above reproach, it’s a sign that you are being prepared for leadership. As 1 Timothy 3:2 and James 3:1 instructs, a leader must be above reproach and will be judged more strictly. You are called to live in a way that others can follow with confidence in your example.
Related Article: 6 Lessons from Bible Verses About Reputation
11. You’re Marked by God
A clear sign that God is preparing you for leadership is the unmistakable mark of God’s calling on your life. You know deep down that you are set apart, chosen, and called to something greater. Your love for God and your commitment to following His word is what sets you apart as a leader. The mark of God on your life is a guiding force that compels you to move forward in faith, knowing He has chosen you for this purpose.
12. You Tame Your Tongue
As a leader, you recognize the power of your words and understand that your speech can bring life or death into someone’s life. Leaders are mindful of their influence and seek to use their words wisely, setting an example for others. You strive to speak with love, faith, and purity, knowing your words can either build up or tear down.
If you are committed to taming your tongue and using your words responsibly, it’s a clear sign that you are being prepared for leadership. As 1 Timothy 4:12 says, “...set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.“
13. You Possess Wisdom and Discernment
A major sign that God is preparing you for leadership is the increase in wisdom and discernment. This ability allows you to see beyond the surface and understand the spiritual dynamics at play. For instance, you may discern when someone appears joyful but is secretly struggling, or when a situation requires spiritual authority to break through disturbances. Yet, this gift of discernment must be balanced with practical wisdom. Knowing when to speak a word, when to pray, and when to step back and refer someone to another specialist (doctor, therapist, etc.) is crucial. As Proverbs 2:6 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” This wisdom is vital in leadership, enabling you to navigate the complexities of both spiritual and practical challenges.
14. You Love Justice and Long for Righteousness
A sign God is preparing you for leadership is a deep passion for justice and righteousness. You’ll be moved to right wrongs and see the wicked repent. Like the prophets, you’ll advocate for truth and fairness, even when it’s unpopular. As Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Your heart will align with God’s desire for justice and restoration.
In conclusion, a true leader cares deeply about what God cares about—salvation, healing, love, and building the body of Christ. If you’re being called to leadership, your heart will align with His mission and reflect His values.
