Four Common Aspects of Effective Leaders

Leaders follow a different path than those who are content to follow along with little responsibility. For a real leader, not a positional authority, the calling of a “higher” level of living is a necessity. There must be an inner push to reach higher steps that once resonated with impossibilities or limitations. Yet, there are expectations of certain characteristics resounding from motivated leaders. Of the leadership requests, from most organizations, the list rings respectively with four common elements:

1. Visibility: Whether sitting in a local coffee shop, frequenting the same convenience store, or attending community events, a visible leader consistently builds his circle of friends and contacts. The Bible says in Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. When people have an opportunity to connect to you socially, they feel they know you personally.

Here are a few tips for a visible leader:

Walk through the crowd slowly.
Acknowledge everyone (especially the children)
Give a genuine smile
Listen
Give sincere compliments

2. Communication: A leader who effectively communicates will cut the lit fuse. Many causes of friction are eliminated by communicating the message and mission without any surprises. A Leader bests communicates the vision by highlighting even the smallest accomplishments, acknowledging everyone’s opinion, avoiding the trivial but combining small steps with the goal in mind. A simple phone call, email or even better, a handwritten note of appreciation can go a long way in effectively communicating the progress.

3. Innovation: Creativity is best learned from felt needs. By evaluation of the project, ministry or department; we can learn what the demands are. Listen to the people around you and especially below you. Listen for the heartbeat of those who follow you. Innovation flows from being a step ahead of the current situation and walking through the arena of wants and needs. As one writer expressed, some of the greatest ideas were first scribbled on a restaurant napkin. The leisurely “cup of coffee” with an acquaintance can stir the creative heart with vision.

4. Integrity: Life speaks through your character. Newspaper articles grab the attention of hungry eyes through the reports of fallen leaders; but the life rewards are huge for the honest man. Our inner diet must be filled with characteristics of honesty, stability, wholesomeness and moral boundaries. Integrity shows through in every detail of life but speaks loudly when the chips are down and life is hard. Leaders for life are men of integrity.

What every Leader Needs to Plan for this Week.

A Leaders life is busy and often times we live overstretched lives. If there is one thing that must be done this week - it is to take this short list and implement it this week.
There are things that must be done, there are things that we would like to get done and there are things that others want us to do. Let's elimnate much out of the third option by saying, "No!" Let's take what we would like to do and refine it, combine it and delegate it. Now let's reconfigure the elements of life that "must" be done and put some at the beginning of each day.
Now we can add the most urgent in our priority list.
1. Invest time with my wife over a coffee, a sandwhich at lunch or a walk around the neighborhood. You are investing into what really matters most.
2. Invest time with your son and/or daughter today. Don't let another day go by without calling them or meeting them. They are one of your most precious assests in life.
3. Invest time planning some time off - even if it is a short afternoon, early morning, or weekend. Time refreshing is time investing.
4. Invest time in your health both physical and spiritual. Prayer and Bible reading develops a river of joy in your heart. Physical excercise and a healthy diet invest in your future.