What Leaders Are
It is nearly impossible to describe great leadership in few words. Too many important and necessary qualities come to mind. What top traits define a leader? How do you acquire them? Who out there in the “who’s who” of leadership truly exemplifies them? Here is my valiant attempt at a brief summation for your consideration.
Solution Seekers
Leaders don’t walk around sulking over, complaining about, or spotlighting problems. They don’t shrink back from a fight. They charge straight into the battle. Great leaders embrace the tension that conflict brings. They’re intrigued and have a strange curiosity about it. They lean into problems and learn from them. They take personal ownership and refuse to pin the blame. They understand that the responsibility falls on them. Instead of seeing problems, they see opportunities. Great leaders refuse to panic when things unravel. They understand that sometimes, dissension is necessary in order to create clarity. Leaders search for keys to unlock doors, and if they can’t find them, they create them. In fact, leaders are they key to the solution.
Joy Bringers
Leaders inspire! They are carriers and initiators of great attitudes. Their mantra is, “Be Fantastic!” They defy negativity. They learn to manage their own hardships before entering the leadership zone. They cause others to crave their optimistic enthusiasm and motivate them to come out of their doldrums. Their passionate demeanor carries weight. Great leaders understand that people don’t like to follow grumpy, pessimistic, lazy, bitter people. Leaders don’t wait on others to determine their feelings or create their mood. The ‘A’ in ‘A game’ stands for ATTITUDE. They make their entrance with a bright countenance, good vibes, joyful tone, positive perspective, and emotional stability. They understand that everything rises and falls with leadership.
Chain Breakers
Leaders well understand their personal power. They have a deliverance mindset: to lead others towards success. Though sometimes uncertain, they remain convinced that they can part waters to champion others to greatness. They are willing to do whatever it takes. No challenge, obstacle, or limitation is too great. They optimize their strengths, utilize their gifts, and draw from every resource at their disposal to liberate their teams and organizations. They understand their primary objective: to help make others better. They use their leadership to remove the barriers and pull the best out of people. They exercise power to empower. They leverage their authority and influence to lift weights off of people so they can soar and fulfill their potential.
Soul Feeders
Great leaders have a higher calling, an assignment from God, to enlighten, inspire, and make a difference in the world. And they have the goods to do it. They are rich in spirit and have much to offer. One of their greatest desires is to bundle up all they have and pour into the lives of others. They are like sponges that have absorbed concentrated amount of information, creativity, and life experiences always ready to be squeezed out. When leaders show up on the scene, they bring with them liberal doses of discernment, insight, and wisdom. Great leaders dive deep, mining out life’s treasures to share with others. Their counsel is invaluable. They are sought out by those who are desperate for meaning, hungry for growth, and longing for more.
Grace Givers
Grace is the at the heart of all great leadership. It sees every person as deeply and eternally loved, accepted, and forgiven by a perfect and almighty God. This holds us accountable to treat people as such. Grace-based leadership supplies others with what they need versus demand what they possess, thereby, unlocking greater potential and productivity. Conversely, a fear-based leadership environment increases greater risk for failure (1 Corinthians 15:56). Many leaders often struggle with self-defeating perfectionism and unrealistic expectations. A leader’s fundamental belief system is revealed in their practices. Thus, leaders must receive grace for themselves first. By this, they can more effectively facilitate the gifts and experiences of others.
Love Spreaders
Great leaders lead by loving example. They truly care about others. They lead with a shepherding heart. They understand that people are fighting personal battles every day. They approach people with genuine compassion and concern. Their authentic empathy affects every decision they make. They often wrestle with their emotions when dealing with their teams. Although they may have legitimate cause to change the landscape of their organization and transition people in or out, it does not come without deep personal cost to them. They sincerely recognize people’s God given value and look for ways to show them respect. Loving leaders will sacrifice their own selfish ambitions to nudge others on to discover and fulfill their destiny.
World Changers
Leadership is influence. Great leaders understand they were put on this earth to inspire change and to make a lasting mark on the world around them. They do not underestimate their significance. They believe their unique contributions will cause a ripple effect for all time. This is why leaders often struggle with “assignment confinement.” They cannot remain content to indulge a simple existence. They truly believe that they were made for much more. Although they know they are not too important to influence the few, they yet dream of impacting the many. They are bigger on the inside than they are on the outside. This inevitably pushes them to do what others can’t, to attempt the impossible, and leave a powerful legacy for generations to come.
