Eight Essential Leadership Qualities

by Gary D. Foster

Leadership is the quality that makes a person stands out or differs from other ordinary workers. It is often associated with someone who is aggressive in speech and action, cares about the people they work with, and can deal with pressure in varied situations under different circumstances. It is someone who is usually ready and willing to stand up for the rights of fellow workers. Ultimately it is the followers who make someone a leader. It is also the followers that will overthrow the leader if necessary.

One of the most critical roles of a leader is during change implementation. This is the period from when a change is announced through its completion. The most unstable period of change implementation is in the middle period when confusion, fear, loss of direction, lost productivity, and lack of clarity can threaten to derail everything. It can be an emotionally traumatic time for workers as they deal with what is lost but cannot yet see the rewards of the impending change.

These are the times that leader’s true leadership qualities are put to the test. Seasoned Indian leader trainer and mechanical engineer, Yogesh Ambekar has identified eight of these indispensible leadership qualities as:

1. Good communication skill Every leader must also be a capable communicator. The bottom line is, if he possesses the other seven leadership qualities but if he fails to communicate well, he will never become a great leader. Being a good communicator is essential for developing good working relationships in either church or business. Without healthy relationships, his leadership will suffer.

2. Honesty is non-negotiable. Honesty with his peers, employees and constituents. Integrity is a key characteristic of honesty. You cannot have integrity without honesty, nor honesty without integrity. Once a leader compromises his or her integrity, it is lost.

3. Visionary outlook An important aspect of a leaders’ responsibility it to look to the future to help determine where the ministry or business should be going. This requires looking beyond today and identifying what the organization must become to remain relevant.

4. Selecting a good team The best leader in the world will never be know if he does not have a good and talented team. He needs to recruit and hire trustworthy people who will passionately take hold and run with the vision. This requires that he create an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect that will empower the team to always find the best solution.

5.Action speaks louder than words Leaders must be good listeners to insure know what is going on and understand what people need even if those needs are not overtly expressed. In addition to knowing the needs of their team, they must also be able to effectively respond to those needs. Ambekar finds that, “Responsive leaders wield influence to solve problems for those around them, often before even being asked.”

6. Ability to motivate people Motivating his team members is a never ending requirement of a good leader.

7. Consistency Leaders that are unpredictable or prone to changing their mind frequently or irrationally, kill worker morale. For most workers, doing their jobs well is confusing enough. They do not need the leader adding unwelcome surprises and stress to the mix. Keep things simple and consistent.

8. Ability to stand against critics This quality can be among the most challenging. As a leader’s success rate increases the likelihood of vocal critics multiplying also increases. It is important to accept the fact that you will not be able to “please all the people all the time.” Neither can you afford to harshly neglect every confrontation or criticism. Listen carefully because there is usually a kernel of truth in every criticism. As the Apostle Paul wisely said in Colossians 6:9, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”

(Leadership Qualities by Yogesh Ambekar)

adapted by Gary D. Foster
Gary Foster Consulting

Gary D. Foster founded and leads Gary D. Foster Consulting, a marketing and management service specializing in helping religious product companies and ministries discover and optimize new revenue streams and to better leverage existing ones. He served as an executive with Focus on the Family, where he managed their award-winning book publishing operation and $110 million direct-mail fundraising division. He also spent 12 years with the Christian Booksellers Association, where he served as President and CEO of CBA Service Corporation. He also served in executive product development and marketing positions with Cook Communications Ministries, Moody Press and Moody Magazine. Learn more about Gary at GaryDFoster.com.