I will not leave you comfortless. . .

The most important leadership lesson the Savior would give his disciples was his instruction to them regarding the Holy Ghost. He told them He would send them another comforter, "even the spirit of truth." In so doing they would not be left comfortless. But, even more important, the Holy Ghost would teach them all things and bring all things to their remembrance.

It is the role of the Holy Ghost in the process of divine influence that makes this kind of leadership completely different from other forms of leadership. Those who lead by divine influence, speak and do what the Holy Ghost inspires them to say and do. They do so by the power of the Holy Ghost which carries the message to the heart of others. These individuals who receive the message by the spirit, are then inspired to act on the message and do so under the influence of the Holy Ghost. In other words, the Holy Ghost becomes the source of the message or action, the means of conveying the message, and the reinforcer of the message. The person who is leading is simply a tool in the hands of God for conveying the message or taking action. God does the rest through the power of the Holy Ghost.

This is what makes divine influence divine. Leaders who would lead in Gods name cannot do so by their own desire, skill, or will. This is te leadership lesson Christ was teaching. They can only do so as He directs them through the Holy Ghost. As He later explains, he is the vine, they are the branches. Only as they abide in Him can they bring forth fruit.

So, are you leading by the power of the Holy Ghost? Is he the sources of the message? The means of transmitting the message? Is he the one confirming the truth of the message and the need for the receiver to act based on it? You will recognize when he is because you will feel the spirit as you speak or act, it will flow as if coming from a source other than you (He said they did not need to worry what to say for it would be given them in the very hour), and others will feel the spirit and act based on it.

Seek for the spirit through your worthiness and by strengthening your relationship with God. Seek to know and do His will and, in so doing, glorify him in all you do, with a focus on loving and serving others in His way. Then follow the direction of the Holy Ghost in humility as you lead and serve others. This is the true essence of divine influence.