12 Leadership Qualities
In his book Courageous Leadership, Bill Hybles famously shared a list of his top three qualifications for leaders who serve on his team—these are: Character, competence, and chemistry.
Recently I was talking to a young leader about these and other qualities that I look for when choosing leadership team members. The following 12 traits (they all happen to start with “C”) are targets I aim to personally hit, as well as qualities I expect team-members to be aiming towards:
1. Character: I agree with Hybles here; this is first on the list, and more important than any of the rest. Integrity in character is the primary requirement for someone who will be engaged in Kingdom leadership.
2. Creativity: Someone who is stuck in the “I’ve never seen it done it that way before” trap cannot help an organization get unstuck. Creative thinking is the key to overcoming many crises and challenges. I prefer to have people on my team who not only think outside of the box, but who are wiling to burn the box when it’s necessary.
3. Courage: Almost every worthwhile leadership decision I’ve ever made has required some measure of courage. When leaders are given real responsibility and true authority they will need courage to steward those well.
4. Collaboration: Can a person set aside his or her own agenda to promote someone else’s? Is he or she really able to work with others? Does his or her presence on a team prove to be an asset for others? Does he or she produce better results with a team than they do on their own? The answers to these questions are important to discover.
5. Critical Thinking: This is one thing that separates adequate leaders from great ones. Is there capacity for high level of thought and assessment along with the ability to understand needed adjustments? I don’t want critical people on my team, but critical thinkers are vital.
6. Compassion: We all know people who are super-smart and incredibly talented but who lack compassion for others. The Bible is clear about this: Fathers are to have compassion on sons; Shepherds will have compassion on sheep; Jesus repeatedly had compassion for broken individuals as well as big crowds; Christians are to show compassion to one another! A Christian leader without a measure of kindness and compassion is unfit to lead God’s people.
7. Community: Hybles talks about chemistry, but community goes a step beyond that because it includes those to whom you may not be naturally attracted. Some days—and occasionally weeks—you spend more time with your work team than you do with your own family; since that is the case, I want to know that, even though we might not all be best friends, we can enjoy hanging out and together function in healthy unity.
8. Communication Skills: This will cover a multitude of other challenges. I’ve worked with great people who can’t communicate well, and a lack of clarity seems to follow them wherever they go. Clarity in communication is essential for effective leadership.
9. Commitment/Calling: When the going get’s tough, will this team member get going (quit) or will they stick it out? If a person is called to an assignment, it doesn’t mean they will stay forever, but it will give them pause before they cut and run when they encounter a difficult season.
10. Charisma: I’m not looking for the cheesy, over-the-top kind of charisma, but I do want to know if there is a genuine winsomeness to a person who is going to lead others. To me the essence of leading is not telling people what to do as much as it is inspiring and encouraging others to accomplish more together than they thought possible. This is much easier accomplished with the presence of an inviting personality.
But the “charisma” that is the mark of the grace of God on a life is even more important. I believe if we are going to lead people to encounter our world with Kingdom life, we must be conduits of the power of the Holy Spirit.
11. Conditioning: Though I’m not looking for a team full of veterans I do want to know that leaders on my team have learned through experience to stand up in tough situations.
12. Competence: This is last on my list, not because it is unimportant, but because I’ve discovered that if the other elements are in place, competence in a particular role can be quickly developed.
What about you? Are there any other traits you look for when choosing team members and leaders? Maybe you even know of a “C” that I forgot!