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.