Ministry Journey Blog

Thoughts on Ministry

12 Jan

Five Key Tools for Leaders

Posted in Uncategorized on 12.01.16 by Merlyn

Leadership is tricky. Good leadership can be illusive and there are no set factors that will help someone be a great leader in all circumstances and contexts. As I think about the great leaders I have seen, worked with, read, listened to and learned from as well a handful of moments of good leadership on my part, I have noticed 5 key things all leaders have (and need). After sharing them in this post, I will write about each specifically in future posts.

The five things that I believe all leaders need are:

-Trust

-Teachability

-Self-knowledge

-Authenticity

-A Focus on Christ & Kingdom

Great leaders need to trust God. They need to trust others and they need to earn, build and honor the trust of those they lead. Great leaders also need to be teachable; willing to learn, but even more so having a deep desire to learn. If a leader is teachable, anything is possible. If they are not, there will be limits to their ability to lead effectively.

Great leaders must also posses high levels of self-knowledge. This seems to be the most rare and difficult of these 5 things for leaders to consistently maintain and grow in. While no leader can see all of their blind spots, self-knowledge can be a leaders greatest asset and tool. Authenticity is something that many Christian leaders fail to embrace as an important quality for leaders, yet I have yet to meet a single very effective leader or pastor who was not authentic.

Finally, great Christian leaders must be focused on Christ and the Kingdom. This is not just for Pastors and leaders of churches and Christian organizations. Leaders in a secular setting can be focused on Christ and the Kingdom while honoring their organizations and being even better leaders because of it.

More to comeā€¦

No Comments »