To succeed as a leader you need to succeed at character, commitment and competence.
Character – Character is who you are when no one is looking. It’s your level of honesty and integrity, and the way you deal with pride and humility. Character admits personal failure, isn’t fake, and has genuine concern for others. Character determines who will trust you enough to follow you.
Commitment – Commitment is what keeps you going when everyone else is quitting. That’s what leaders do. Leaders spur momentum in times of trepidation. Leaders take people where there know they need to go but are afraid to do so or don’t know how. All leaders will sometimes slip and fall, but a committed leader gets back up, searches for the light at the end of the tunnel, and moves forward again. People follow leadership with commitment.
Competence – Competence is the wisdom to know when to say what needs to be said and when to do what needs to be done. A competent leader is always learning, whether through books, conferences, or other people. It’s being willing to learn even from those one is supposed to be leading. It’s not knowing all the answers, but knowing the importance of bringing the right people to the table of decision. Competence is gained by experience, over time, where the leader can exude confidence others are willing to follow.
Recently I tweeted the subject of this post: To succeed as a leader you need to succeed at character, commitment and competence.
I instantly had a great reply from one of my Twitter friends:
@RonEdmondson David failed in character, Peter failed in commitment and Moses failed in competence. God shows Himself strong in our weakness.
My answer:
Great point. But all of them succeeded in their area of weakness too…in the end. David recognized his failure, Peter renewed his faith, and Moses delivered on his calling. With God all things are possible.
To succeed as a leader you need to succeed at character, commitment and competence.
Can you add a “C” to my list? What makes a great leader?
Can you add a “C” to my list? What makes a great leader?
Yes, COURAGE.
Courage to believe.
Twitter: kmac4him
says:
Conscious! A Conscious Committed To Christ In Complete Christ Character And Christ Competence! Conscious Controlled by Christ! Conscious Consecrated To Christ!
In Our Conscious Lord God Reign And Awaken Us To YOUR Kingdom Consciousness In 2012, Lord God.
Psalm 18:19-21
The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness (my conscious integrity and sincerity with Him); according to the cleanness of my hands has He recompensed me. (Amplified)
2 Corinthians 5:11 Therefore, being conscious of fearing the Lord with respect and reverence, we seek to win people over [to persuade them]. But what sort of persons we are is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood by God, and I hope that it is plainly recognized and thoroughly understood also by your consciences (your inborn discernment). (Amplified)
1 Peter 1: 18-21
Your life is a journey you must travel with a deep consciousness of God. It cost God plenty to get you out of that dead-end, empty-headed life you grew up in. He paid with Christ's sacred blood, you know. He died like an unblemished, sacrificial lamb. And this was no afterthought. Even though it has only lately—at the end of the ages—become public knowledge, God always knew he was going to do this for you. It's because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God. (MSG)
1 Peter 2:18-20
Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. (NIV)
1 Corinthians 1:6-8
In this way [our] witnessing concerning Christ (the Messiah) was so confirmed and established and made sure in you 7 That you are not [consciously] falling behind or lacking in any special spiritual endowment or Christian grace [[a]the reception of which is due to the power of divine grace operating in your souls by the Holy Spirit], while you wait and watch [constantly living in hope] for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and [His] being made visible to all. 8 And He will establish you to the end [keep you steadfast, give you strength, and guarantee your vindication; He will be your warrant against all accusation or indictment so that you will be] guiltless and irreproachable in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
PS…. You are so right about us succeeding in our weaknesses because of Christ in us and that is our hope, our daily hope and expectation is in HIM. Just focusing on our weaknesses is a dead end road for us and keeps us road blocked by our enemies intentions to kill, destroy and steal our possibility in Christ. I would rather hope in my AWE-GOD Who can transform my weakness by His Strength as I step into the flow of His Kingdom purposes for me each day! What will I focus on today? My “human condition” or my supernatural position in Christ?
Twitter: KariScare
says:
Creativity – Being will to try new things (or at least put a new spin on the tried and true) is essential in a leader. God gives every person creativity of some sort. Part of our calling is to figure out how we are creative, because we all are, and to use that to lead.
Hi Ron
You ask…
“Can you add a “C” to my list? What makes a great leader? Hmmm?
How about “Christ?”
Seems Jesus taught His Disciples NOT to be called “Leader.” Much less – “Great Leader.”
Matthew 23:10 – New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Do not be called leaders; for “ONE” is your Leader, that is, Christ.
And – It seems Jesus also taught His Disciples about “Great”
Mark 10:42-45 – New American Standard Bible (NASB)
Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them,
“You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them;
and their *great men* exercise authority over them.
But it is NOT this way among you,
but whoever wishes to become great among you *shall be your servant;*
and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but *to serve,* and to give His life a ransom for many.”
In my experience with so-called “Great Leaders” and having been in “Leadership”…
Shows me – “Great” ones – expect to be “served” and “obeyed” when they “Exercised Authority.”
Teaching folks they had to “Obey” their “God Ordained Authority.”
In direct conflict with what Jesus taught His Disciples… Oy Vey. 🙁
We called ourselves “Servant-Leaders” BUT…
We were really – The Leaders of the Servants. 🙁
Jesus, as man, humbled Himself, made Himself of NO reputation,
and took on the form of a “Servant.” Phil 2:7-8.
Hmmm? – Seems like a conflict of interest – “Humble?”- “Great Leader?” Is that a “Reputation?” 😉
You write… “Character determines who will trust you enough to follow you.”
And – Why would I want to follow a “mere fallible human”??? Tried that a few times. Ouch! 🙂
When I can “Hear His Voice” and follow Jesus??? The creator of all things…
My sheep *hear MY voice,* and I know them, and **they follow me:**
John 10:27
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
them also I must bring, and they shall “hear My voice; “
and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
John 10:16
One Fold – One Shepherd – One Voice – One Leader
{{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}
When we're looking for staff or volunteer ministry leaders at our church, we hire using 5 Cs: Chemistry (do they fit with the team?), Calling (do they give strong evidence that God has called them and they have effectively responded?), Character, Competence, Culture (do they fit the culture of our church?)
Thanks for your input in my ministry of leadership!
I like it!
Twitter: jonathanpearson
says:
Consistency. We need to portray work ethic and excellence consistently. Great list, Ron!
That's good.
Compliance (Surrender) to Christ
Yes!
I meant perfection.
I gotcha!
I think that perfect is not the objective here. The objective is an appreciation for the values of these three qualities! Once appreciated, efforts are made to work harder on them.
I agree with you!
Here is my breakdown of the 3 C's
CHARACTER: When no one is watching!
COMMITMENT: When no one is willing!
COMPETENCE: When no on knows what to do or say!
Great Post!
Good ones!