I was working on a leadership study this morning from 1 Timothy 3 and realized that Paul gives us an "at the end of the day these qualities need to be part of every leader's DNA" speech. Use them to evaluate your own heart and character.
1. Can I be trusted with insider information? Leaders often hear it first, okay, sometimes we hear it last), but we are privy to often serious and vital information - mainly regarding people. Can people trust me when they tell me something that is especially confidential and private - or are they worried they will hear it from the pulpit as an "illustration" or through the grape-vine as a "prayer request"?
2. Can I make judgments after all the facts are in? Every time I have made an off-the-cuff judgment it's usually been wrong. A leader who is quick to pull the judgment trigger will never be an effective leader. Can you thwart your first impulse and then make decisions and judgments only after all the facts are in?
3. Can I allow God to be my Global Positioning System? What is God saying through His Word? What is God saying through His people? How is He directing? In which direction should I go? Am I willing to listen and obey? Perry Noble has rightly said, "Leadership is as easy as listening to God."
4. Can I confront people and situations appropriately? Okay, I'll say it: I hate confrontation. But if I'm going to lead with integrity I have to be willing to confront poor attitudes, wrong-headed thinking, words that wound, and blatant deception and mis-direction. Each requires a loving, confrontational response. It's part of being a leader. Dave Goetz writes, "The two extremes are either to avoid conflict or to act like the Terminator." Where on the continuum do you fall?
Part deux tomorrow ... stay tuned!
