Uniqueness in Leadership

Thursday November 18, 2010-
Over the last few weeks I've been studying the defining qualities of leaders. Many people try to take what works for one person and apply it to their life in hopes that it will work for them as well(not a smart move in most cases). I've found that what has worked for mentors and inspirations of mine doesn't work so well for me. I think the reason is simple. I'm not them. But here's the good news. I don't need to be. God created every person different for a reason. And just because you are a leader doesn't mean you have to act a certain way to be effective. There are people who were born leaders, and there are those who have learned leadership. Some have "charisma", and some don't. Here's what I am finding in life and in my studies of scripture: Leaders are people who have followers. Here are some biblical examples of leaders. They are all different.

Adam(Genesis 2-5) Administrator- An administrator is accountable to a higher authority, assigns roles, and shapes culture through unwritten rules.

Noah(Genesis 6-9) Navigator- A navigator has vision for a preferred future,is vision oriented, through living they show the way.

Abraham(Genesis 11-25) Father/Symbol of Unity- Represents identity, mission, history, and tradition.

Joseph(Genesis 37-50) Dreamer and Planner- Is an optimist about dreams and the future,is courageous,is resourceful,thinks creatively verses critically.

Moses(Exodus)Community Builder- Builds personal and structural relationships,delegates,caring,promotes a common cause, extremely patient.

Aaron(Exodus) Communicator- Charismatic, concise, pleasant

David(1st&2nd Samuel) Celebrator- Monitors and celebrates common achievements,reconciles crisis, acknowledges achievements and admonishes lack of responsibility.

Solomon(1Kings)Decision Maker- Makes things happen,evaluates progress,sets the bar, makes people accountable.

Isaiah(2Kings 15) Servant- Ready, compassionate, available, dedicated, assertive.

These are all very different types of leaders. They were all very effective in their roles and have left a stamp on the world today. Here are some things that they all knew...

1. Popularity is not leadership, results are.

2. Leaders are highly visible. They therefore set examples.

3. Leadership is not rank, it's responsibility.

Here are some things leaders do...

1. They are extremely tolerant of diversity and do not carbon copy. But they are totally intolerant when it comes to a person's performance, standards, and values.

2. They aren't afraid of other people's strengths, they praised them.

3. They aren't sayers, they are doers.