What makes a good leader?
When I was working on my first Masters degree, my concentration was leadership. I loved it! Since this was a seminary degree, you might guess that I read a few John Maxwell books. John Maxwell defines a leader as “one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” Let’s examine this for a minute.
A leader knows the way. Good leaders possess a clear vision and understand the direction and purpose. Many of us have tried to follow people in leadership roles who had no clue where they were trying to lead people. It is easy to get on a power trip with a leadership role, but it is another thing to know why the organization exists and possess the passion to accomplish that organization’s mission in a way that engages those you lead.
Good leaders also go the way, meaning they model the desired actions and outcome. I have seen in my own personal leadership endeavors that I am only as successful as what I model before the people. It truly is difficult to take people somewhere you’ve never been. It’s much easier to take people on a journey you are currently living. Unless you and I are willing to go the way, we won’t be successful in our leadership endeavors.
Finally, good leaders show the way. There is a huge difference between telling the way and showing the way. As a man who has led in ministry for almost 30 years, it took me a long time to learn this. We talk a lot about discipleship and making disciples in the church. How do we do that? We have to take time to mentor people and equip them to live out the faith and practice the things we tell them they need to do. When they struggle to get it right, we help them until they get it profit.
Have you ever wondered why churches and other organizations crumble after strong “leaders” leave the scene? The reason is most often because the organization depended on one person or a select few to do the work. When that person left, few knew what to do. That leader didn’t lead. He or she built an organization dependent upon his or her efforts.
I know it is often easier to do things yourself rather than exert the patience and time to train others. When you and I lead well, we lead ourselves out of a job. We train people to be as good as if not better than we are. John Maxwell also says that leadership is influence, and influence is done in close proximity. Whether you are leading a church or a secular organization, invest in people. Effectively train people who can effectively train people. Want to build a legacy? You can be remembered for doing great things while leaving an organization to collapse, or you can equip people to carry on the work. Good leaders do the latter, and the ripple effects last for generations to come. Here’s to leading well!
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