There are some characteristics which set a great leader apart from mediocre leaders. Great leaders are multidimensional. While continuing to improve, great leaders have achieved certain markers in leadership.
Here are 7 marks of a great leader:
With humility, surrendering your way when it’s not the best way
With intentionality, continuing to learn and grow as a leader
With compassion, considering the needs of others ahead of your own
With integrity, never separating character from your definition of quality or success
With passion, the ability to rally a team and articulate the path to victory
With vision, seeing things other can’t see or are afraid to pursue
With strength, having the discipline to follow through on commitments
I’m not claiming all great leaders excel in each of these areas, certainly not that I have, but there should be a certain level of accomplishment, a progression towards each of them or at least a desire to do so…to be a great leader.
What markers did I miss?
I have a concern that my church is not growing, people come but they do not stay. The love, the teaching and preaching are awesome. I just don't understand. People love our leaders and lives are changed by the word, but they do not stay????????? Any thoughts please!
It's hard to diagnose here without more information. Here are a couple quick thoughts:1. Do a survey of anyone who visited in the last year. Ask them why they stayed or didn't stay.2. Do a church wide/or leadership wide brainstorming session. Many times there are answers in the room that come from collected thinking. Ask, why aren't people staying and what can we do?3. Pay a community member (or a professional consultant if you can afford it) to “secret shop” your church and give you honest feedback. Many times we can't see what's missing on our own.You'll have to do something intentional to get the answers you don't have.Praying for you.
Twitter: Ronedmondson
Hmmm, I think I have about 3 or 4 of these leadership qualities, Ron. Much to improve upon. Great post!
Thanks Charles for your honesty!
Twitter: Ronedmondson
Great! I might add this one:
With followship, keeping your head out of the past-fully facing God-moving forward as He leads
Twitter: kmac4him
That's good. Thank you.
Twitter: Ronedmondson
How about the mark of Gratitude? Oftentimes I have found that when I reflect on things that I am fortunate to have, my energy and optimism skyrockets. When this happens, I believe leaders move into a peak state of mind.
That's good. thank you. Everyone wants to feel appreciated.
Twitter: Ronedmondson
I would love to say I ingabit all of those qualities….have a hard time doing that and keeping my tongue from fall off! 😉 the best I can do at this point is say I am aspiring to them. Some are easier than others, but I am not qualified for all.
The only thing I can think to add might be “With the type personality that would keep people looking to and willing to listen to you. Some have many of these qualities , but the personality of a brick!
Twitter: bryankr
Thanks Bryan. Your honesty is a sign of good leadership.
Twitter: Ronedmondson
Hi Ron, __As ever you've kept this short, simple and consise. Exellent stuff!____Just wondered if you considered the ability of a leader to 'reproduce' themself as a mark of a great leader. So, it will be, "With determination training and mentoring the next generation of leaders".____With every blessing,__Pedro Okoro
Thanks Pedro. I appreciate your support. I think you're on to something. Without reproduction the life of the organization eventually stalls.
Twitter: Ronedmondson
I don't know that you missed a marker, because it might be built in to these…but the idea/concept of discipling and mentoring? If I see these markers in a man, I want to follow him, but is he approachable and intentionally inviting younger men to follow him?
Thanks Josh. That's a great correlation.
Twitter: Ronedmondson