Exponential Leadership: It Starts on the Inside
History reveals that the success of teams relies heavily upon the leader. In both the Old and New Testaments, the biblical authors give account of numerous examples of good, effective leaders and of poor, wicked, tyrannical leaders, and the outcomes of their “teams.” Look at your own organization and those in your sphere and you will notice the same scenarios. Success hangs upon the leader! It is therefore incumbent that we assess the strategic qualities and skills necessary for a leader to be more effective.
Being an impactful leader begins with the condition of the leader’s heart and is revealed through behavior, words, and decisions. Some leaders may be tempted to spend a great deal of time dressing up their outward presentation; however, good leaders know that out of the heart comes that which others observe. God also places great emphasis upon the heart—one's character. God concerns Himself with who we are before what we do and explains that men and women naturally act out of their character.
In other words, as J. Robert Clinton describes, “God is quietly, often in unusual ways, trying to get the leader to see that one serves out of what one is. God is concerned with [who] we are.” Thus, leadership is more than a set of skills or a plethora of experiences and educational degrees. It is even more than a calling. It stems from one’s inner person and the subsequent outflowing attitude and conduct.
Of the various character traits, two facets of character are critical to team development: integrity and credibility. Integrity is being singular in thought, word, and action. This singularity helps the leader keep goals and objectives in focus. The power of integrity is revealed in at least six qualities:
Purity of heart, mind, and hands
Posture of servanthood
Perseverance
Predictable and sustainable trust
Promises kept and confidences held
Partnership and parenthood
A good leader must be truthful and dependable. One’s credibility is the single most significant determinant of whether a leader will be followed over time. With solid character emitting from the heart of a leader, other virtues naturally emanate, exemplifying the standards for the team. Jesus described essential values to His disciples in the Sermon on the Mount, especially in what is known as the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-10). These values help the team to achieve its goals and mission.
Team values are deep-seated convictions about how the team should accomplish its mission. They are the means by which a team-based vision can be achieved. Effective leaders and their staff members can be compared to a ship’s captain and the crew: the ship’s captain has a vision of what lies beyond the horizon and the crew understands the leader’s standards by which their performance will be assessed as they help sail the vessel. The leader’s values are infused into the team.
The take-home? Assess your character. It is deep-seated in you already. So what needs to change for you to better lead your team? Take time today to evaluate your integrity and credibility in your interactions with others. Pursue change from within and you will find that it produces exponential fruit in actions, attitudes, words, and decision-making.