What makes a good leader?

I am doing some research on leadership at the moment and was wanting some input. I have material from people like John Maxwell etc... so am not looking for that.

What I am hoping for is things you have personally learned, either by being a leader, or by observation in other church leaders - maybe a Pastor or leader of a ministry you have been a part of.

Please include positive and negatives, but DO NOT include people's names. This is not a 'name and shame' post, it is for educational purposes. We can learn from the principles, without pointing finges at specific people.

Things like:

What makes a good leader?
What are the differences between Christian leaders and secular leaders?
What are the ESSENTIAL qualities of Christian leaders?
How is leadership developed?
What are the pitfalls leaders need to watch out for?
Where do leaders miss it?
What makes a person a leader?
What kinds of leaders do people want to follow?
What about a person in a leadership position who has no leadership ability?

I do have answers to questione like these, just looking for further insight and ideas.

Thank you

Owen

I have seen leaders all my life in the military. some where in name only. In my experience a good leader is someone who instills a desire a follow them. Good leaders think of the mission and the people as at least equals. Sometimes in the military the mission has to take priority over the people but only for as long as absolutely needed.

Leaders dont tell people what to do. They do it and invite the troops to do it with them. Leadership is a learned trait and anyone willing to learn and having a heart for the job and people can learn it.

I tell my people that I would never ask them to do anything I have not already done myself first. I then do that task with them if possible.

Leadership isnt a badge or status but a responsibility. A leader works for the mission and the people and should always be a servant to both. I have led in war time and in peacetime and find that these things always work whatever the mission.

My people come first always before me.

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A servant makes the best leader in God's economy. If one cannot yield, the one will never be able to teach submission. As the best leaders are those we desire to emulate, one who doesn't submit with his life will not be helping God in creating yielded people by his walk.

A good leader has three elements.

They must have a vision - a destination to go to or they cannot lead people there.
They must have a plan - if they don't know the route to the destination they cannot lead people there
They must have influence - if no one wants to follow them to the destination along their route, then they are not leaders.

I think you should be able to sum up each of these in a sentence.

E.g.

My vision is to create a word of faith, multi-racial, cell church in London that lifts the life of people across the world.

My route is to develop strong cell leaders, train people in righteousness and evangelise using personal discipleship and healing crusades

My influence is found in caring for people as individuals, loving them and letting them love us, showing them out to step out in their giftings and teaching the Word in a clear and relevant way.

If you cannot sum up what you are doing so succinctly, I would challenge you to do so immediately.

Blessings,
Benjamin

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Paul speaks of the hidden man of the heart. That is the You that is in you. The visible you is not the You that puts you over. It is the unseen You who wins the fight. - E.W. Kenyon

A good leader puts the Word and worship first, and cares about people and their spiritual condition next. He has character, integrity, and compassion. He's strong against the enemy and never gives up