The Character of the Movement Leader
What are the essential qualities that differentiate a movement leader from other leaders?
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Servanthood
Jesus says the servant is the leader. Greenleaf became popular stating the same concept in 20th century prose.
If we begin with the Ephesians 4 passage on leadership functions it begins with love, humility and patience. Patience is also identified in the business management literature
Qualities in any Level of Leadership
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The Sermon on the Mount
- Love
- Humility
- Single-minded love for God
- Peacemaker
- Hunger for righteousness
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The Fruit of the Spirit
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Faithfulness
- Self Control
- Gentleness
- Kindness
The Seven Virtues
- Patience
- Integrity - Honesty - Truthfulness
Mangerial Qualities from Management Literature
- Accountability
- TIme Management
- Credibility
- Consistent on inside and outside just as God is faithful and consistent
- Faithfulness
- Hard Worker
- Family man or woman
- Holistic Workstyle
- Balance
9 Competencies from Guggenheimer (from American Managers)
- Passion
- Humor
- Courage
- Teamwork
- Vision
- Integrity & Trust
- Energy & Enthusiasm
- Vitality
- Prioroities
- Creativity
Style
- Listener
- Motivator
- Role Model
- Being One of the Boys
- Encourager
Additional Qualities of Movement Leaders
What marks the top business executives, the leaders of large movemnts, the apostles from lesser capacity leaders? Clearly one issue is longer time frames, another capacity building (building Leadership capital). What are critical values that make some effective in building these? (Go to movement Leadership principles to see parallel principles)
- Singleminded - doesn't look back
- Perseverance
- Creativity
- Awareness of the Environment
- Accurate Cultural Interpreter
- Sustained Passion
- Spiritual Authority
- Builds Broad Leadership Capital
- Hearing God consistently before and beyond others (broad scale prophetic)
- Capacity to work with diverse leadership styles
- Has a Voice (Covey)
- Builds Momentum (Grigg, McManus)
Readings
Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant
Leadership : a Journey into the Nature of Legitimate Power and Greatness.
Mahwah, NJ, Paulist Press.
Heschel, A. J. (1962). The Prophets. New York, Harper & Row.
Tetlow, R. S. (2003). What Titans Can Teach Us. Leadership at the Top. Boston, Harvard Business Review: 115-132. MATUL Leadership
Guiggenheimer, Patricia and Diana Szulc. The Nine Leadership Competencies. Understanding Leadership Competencies. Crisp Publications. ISBN 9781560524977