Leadership is less about the words or actions of the leader and more about the character of the leader.
That’s the conclusion I’ve reached after revisiting what the Bible has to say about leadership within the Church. For example, we can look at a handful of passages and come to this “job description” for leaders:
- Encourage others. (Romans 14:19)
- Set an example with your speech, life and faith. (I Timothy 4:12)
- Remain pure. (I Timothy 4:12)
- Embrace humility and gentleness. (Ephesians 4:2)
- Promote peace and unity. (Ephesians 4:3)
- Avoid arguments and quarreling. (I Timothy 2:24)
- Gently instruct others. (I Timothy 2:25)
- Maintain emotional control. (Titus 2:6)
- Demonstrate integrity in your actions and speech. (Titus 2:7-8)
- Live your life above reproach. (I Timothy 3:2)
It’s not the job description you would expect to see for a leadership position is it? When you think about today’s “leaders” in politics and business and even the church, these aren’t typically the attributes that first come to mind.
I guess it’s possible that leadership outside the church looks different than God intended it to look inside the church. That may explain some of the differences between the “job description” above and what we routinely see in the marketplace. Ironically, though, Jim Collins offered some research in his book Good to Great that seems to suggest business leaders would do well to model this biblical approach to leadership. Every good-to-great company Collins studied was led by what he described as a Level 5 leader. Collins wrote:
“Those who worked with or wrote about the good-to-great leaders continually used words like quiet, humble, modest, reserved, shy, gracious, mild-mannered, self-effacing, understated, did not believe his own clippings; and so forth.”
It’s interesting how similar that list is to the list above. Neither list reflects the larger-than-life leadership that we tend to expect from people in these positions.
And that, of course, challenges me to think about my own leadership. I may be gifted to lead, but my character will determine the ongoing impact of my leadership. That’s something that can’t be measured in an interview or through a personality profile or on a resume. Character is proven over a lifetime.
Do you have have the character of a leader?
__________________
Other Posts in This Series:
- Part 1 – Overview
- Part 2 – Servant Leadership
- Part 3 – Empowerment
i find that the character piece is true in my role as a father. without strong character, i cannot lead the family.
Great points here. The leaders I am quick to follow are the most encouraging ones. Successful leaders make others feel valued and important. They do that mainly through the vehicle of encouragement.
Great post!
I believe that people great when they help others to become great. Great leadership is found when the leader can call out greatness. And yes character is everything.
Again great post…be blessed!
Tony, again this post on leadership is SPOT ON bro. Rick Warren said you take your character to heaven with you, I believe that. Character, integrity are the things that make the “core” of who we really are. What we are when we are alone, when we are in private is the REAL us.
We are what we repeatedly do..I sure pray I am a reflection of the ones you mentioned on this post.
Good stuff. I have been keeping up with you for only a couple of weeks now. I like all the strategy stuff. But, as I am coaching pastors I am finding that these guys are not as strategic as they think they are. I know that’s a surprise to you. :) I’m wondering if you could do a post that reminds all of us on the “why” of strategy not just the “how”?
J
I wish I had a bookmark w/ these 10 biblical descriptions on them. This is a great, concise, irrefutable way 2 i.d. good ldrshp. I was surprised u didn’t have 1 frm Nehemiah. Great post!
What a wonderful list of what leaders ought to be. Thanks for this post!
[...] My Theology of Leadership part 4 by Tony Morgan [...]
[...] My Theology of Leadership (part 4) [...]
I have seen those characteristics more in my jobs outside the church/non-profit world than the ones inside the church. Sad, as the church should be setting the example, but not always true.