The Tangibles

One of the most important tasks of a leader is to identify potential new leaders. If a nation, group or organization is to grow, finding new leaders is critical. Equally vital is the quality of leaders being discovered. Good leaders learn to look for qualities in people that are conducive to good leadership. If you want to have a culture that reproduces leaders, note the following.

But, where do you find these people who can be future leaders? I find it helps to look for certain qualities, which all good leaders need or qualities that, consistently over time, seem to make good leaders. Here are 10 attributes I consider valuable traits when looking for new leaders:

Concern/Love for others – You can’t lead people effectively if you don’t genuinely love people.

Not a complainer – Candidly speaking, leadership encounters complainers regardless of what we do.

Teachable and open to suggestions – A person who thinks they have all the answers will repel other leaders.

Excellence in following – This is a biggie for me. I try to follow people I lead, because there are times they know more than I do.

Reliability – Leadership is about trust, and trust is developed over time and consistency by doing what you said you would do.

Interest – The people with a burning passion for the church or organization often make great leaders.

Good character – Character counts. Not perfection. Not flawless. But, good character is necessary to be trusted on a team.

Potential – God always saw potential in others they themselves couldn’t see.

Confidence – Leaders have to move forward when others are ready to retreat. That takes confidence.

People skills – This goes without saying, but you can’t lead people if you can’t communicate with people.

Those are some traits that should exist in potential leaders.

Do As I Do!

Leaders must be proactive about discovering the full potential in others, and equally in themselves, in order to define their leadership identity. People should begin to understand how their leadership identity influences the evolution of the business when they can articulate the unique ways they think, what gives their leadership distinction, the impact their presence creates and what it is they serve. A strong leadership identity can provide clarity and alignment throughout the organization even as it leverages the unique differences in people to see and seize opportunities previously unseen.

Most importantly, we must be such leaders who say 'do as I do' and not 'do as I say' only.