You’ll never know how powerfully you may change someone’s life.
And once you touch that person’s life in a positive way, you’ll never know how many people they may change for the better.
Would you rather be a powerless, self-defeated soul who ambles through life complaining about other people and circumstances? Or do you want to stand out from the crowd as a person who makes an impact and leaves a positive legacy of a leader who has served others?
I hope you’ll choose to stand out by building your personal leadership.
Mark Miller is a business leader, best-selling author, and communicator, and co-author with Ken Blanchard of Great Leaders Grow: Becoming a Leader for Life.
Great leadership is like an iceberg, says Mark.
The 10% of the iceberg above the water line represents the leader’s skills.
The 90% of the iceberg below the water line represents the leaders’ character.
In this article, I’ll share some leadership traits you need to develop to lead effectively.
Serve Your Way Into Effective Leadership
“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: The ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” ~Albert Schweitzer
Before we get started, I’d like you to watch this video to see an example of a young man who exemplified servant leadership. A young man named Charles Steadman asked Savannah, a classmate with Cerebral Palsy, to the Homecoming Inaugural Ball.
Charles Steadman demonstrated many of the leadership qualities below when he took the initiative to ask this young woman to this event.
The leaders I have most respected have been the most service oriented.
No task was beneath them.
We can see the powerful effect on followers of a leader willing to get dirty in the trenches. It’s what’s made Undercover Boss such an effective television show.
Jesus Christ, who was God Himself, elevated servant leadership to the highest priority when he said, in Matthew 20:28
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
If you want to leave a positive mark on the world while following in Jesus’ steps, pay attention!
Here are five character traits that make great leaders different. Cultivate these five character traits to build your ability to lead through serving.
Optimism
Optimistic leaders see the best in people. Jesus chose men from all corners of society: the political zealot, the traitorous tax collector, impetuous Peter, shy John.
Each of the 12 disciples had character flaws. He chose them, taught them, and served them: and changed their lives in the process. He saw who they could be, and treated them so.
Actions You Can Take:
- Cultivate a positive attitude toward each person you interact with.
- Envision each person reaching her or his full potential. Treat each person as if s/he can reach her/his full potential.
- Pray for each person you come in contact, praying that God will bless that person as He would bless you.
Ownership
Great servant leaders take responsibility for themselves, and for the results of those they lead and serve.
Actions You Can Take:
- Take responsibility today for your actions.
- Be willing to admit your lack of servant leadership.
- Look for ways to take responsibility for your personal development and seek opportunities to mentor others.
Judgment
Great servant leaders make good decisions about who they will serve, and how much they will serve.
There is a balance to service. Don’t over-extend yourself.
As a Christian, you can follow Jesus’ example. He served a lot, but he did not meet every single person’s need. He worked, but he also rested. He served, but he also attended parties and had fun.
Actions You Can Take:
Pray every day for wisdom and sensitivity to His Spirit.
- Ask yourself candidly whether you are serving too much, or not serving enough.
- Are you taking care of your priorities, which are in line with your personal vision and your personal mission statement?
- Are you balancing your life?
Do you know what your personal values are?
Initiative
Effective servant leaders are proactive. They take action to serve people and fill needs. Often they are the first and often the only ones to step up to the plate.
Action Steps:
- Look around your workplace, your church, or your community. What are some acts of kindness you can engage in to serve others? Do one act of kindness this week.
- Practice being proactive. When you’re tempted to complain about a person or situation, ask instead, “What action can I take to help solve this situation or help this person?”
Courage
Are you willing to stand alone? Can you take a stand when your position is right, but unpopular?
In Mr. Miller’s words, “To lead well requires bold, decisive [action]”
As a servant leader, we may need to courageously serve those who normally would not have a voice.
Actions You Can Take:
- Pray for courage.
- Be willing to speak up for others, even if it’s unpopular.
- Be willing to take risks to learn new things, work on new projects, as a means of increasing your courage.
Serve Others To Build Your Personal Leadership
Choose to leave a legacy of impact in your home, your work place, your neighborhood, and your community.
Embrace and cultivate optimism, ownership, judgment, initiative, and courage as you serve your family, co-workers, and community.
You can make a difference!
What other character qualities do you feel are essential for building your personal leadership?
photo credit: maxxyustas
Stephen,
When I was assisting with an International transformational organization we always wondered the difference we made on the participants in our courses, how wide the ripple effect was going to be. Who had we touched by touching those in the course? The neat part about it is that we knew we’d never know. The wondering kept us going.
I like the way you’ve incorporated the 5 characteristics of a great leader and then actions one can take to achieve. Very effective.
RICK
Rick Lelchuk recently posted…Death of a Salesman
Rich, thank you for stopping by! I hope, when we get to heaven, to have the opportunity to see a) the impact millions of lives have had upon ours, and b) the impact we’ve had for the better on thousands of lives around us.
Hello Stephen,
You are a true leader because you are speaking about the wonderful thing Jesus has done and will do. Now of days so many people only think about themselves and not other people. When you put God first in your life you are never alone. As Christian we should always try and better ourselves.
Samantha Allen recently posted…How to Get Your Targeted Traffic to Your Website?
Samantha, I couldn’t say it any better than you just did 🙂
Stephen,
Great Post!
Leadership is necessary for success, both personal and professional. I like that you gave some specific small things people can do to improve their leadership skill. The iceberg analogy was also very interesting.
Dewane Mutunga recently posted…How To Provide Value To Customers Instead Of Selling On Price
Dewane, thank you. I think some of us either think too much or too little of ourselves. We need to realize that we all have leadership ability. Some of us may have to work harder on it that others, but it’s there waiting to be developed.
You’ve highlighted some important factors, Stephen. I like that you put optimism first. Even the most difficult tasks can be completed if we think we can do them. The mind is a very powerful thing, indeed. I always aim to leave a positive impact. I want people to remember be for some difference I’ve made in their lives – no matter how small.
I pray for wisdom. God has said He’ll give it to those who ask and He always keeps His word.
I think a great leader has to accept when he/she is wrong. This is the only thing I’d add.
Anne @ confidence blog recently posted…Boost Confidence: 5 Top Ways To Do It
Some of my greatest ‘leader’ heroes were also some of the most prayerful. I appreciate you mentioning God’s wisdom. Remember King Solomon: he became as great as he did because of God’s wisdom. [Unfortunately, when he forget Who gave him his wisdom, his greatness lost its luster].
Positive energy and mindset is one important aspect for a good leader. Stephen, I like how you shared different factors and actions you can take to achieve in building and knowing leadership qualities. Taking positive actions through out your day without much effort, but instead, having a natural response to daily events are the people I believe are true leaders.
We all will be attracted to different personalities, respond to their actions but at the end of the day, they are the leaders we look up to and gain tremendous quality in our lives.
Lynn Brown recently posted…Social Media Strategies That Work
Thank you, Lynn. I have to constantly watch my attitude. It’s very easy to join the herd in developing a complaining or negative attitude about the leaders above us, whether in government or at work. But until we sit where they sit, we’ll not understand how much work leadership is! Infusing positive energy everywhere we go is a leadership trait we all need to constantly work on.
Hi Stephen,
You make me cry the hell out of me with this video, but how inspiring and beautiful!
A leader should always set the right example without making other people feel that he or she is a know it all. It’s OK to make mistakes and admit it. That’s also the job of a leader to do that.
Thanks for your great post and video, Stephen
Yes, that video was inspirational. I’m not sure who showed more leadership: the young lady, or the young man! I agree with you: I’ve been very impressed by leaders who are both competent, but also humble enough to admit mistakes.
I am not sure that I can add to your very complete list! I know that for me the courage thing would be the one that I have to most work on… Being a leader does take courage and stepping out when most others won’t or don’t is so important. Taking risks is a big part as so many are willing to jump in and criticize the leader because they don’t like or agree with the things being done. I too have to watch my attitude as it can be easy to sucked in to the negativity, but it is so much easier when you have a personal mission and visions that you are goaling toward!
Holly recently posted…How Vulnerable Are You Willing To Be?
Holly, I agree with you. Courage and self-confidence seem to go hand in hand. The key is to act as if we are courageous and self-confident. In doing so, we build those reserves.
Hi Steve,
Wonderful post and what I resonate the most with is that you talk of God and Jesus. I start each day with a prayer. Because I am Catholic, I learned to walk the walk of Jesus. I see the world quite differently than most people sometimes. I pray constantly. I ask God for guidance all throughout my day. Actually when I work with people teaching them techniques or self help issues. I always ask one question: Do you believe there is another force above you? What do you call it? There are many names for God. Then I tell them that it is the “battery pack” for a fulfilled life.
Yes, many are out here to make money, but I call it prosperity. Money is just a number. To be a leader, we do need that confidence. We do need the courage in our hearts and mind. But when we have doubts about ourselves, we need to go to the “big guy” for a little push.
I pray for guidance each time I meet with a client. I also pray before I write anything on my blog.
Thanks Steve for this powerful post.
Donna
Donna Merrill recently posted…Law Of Attraction Part 2