I’ve been asking a number of folks… and now I should ask you: What qualities do you look for when you’re trying to find a leader for a new mission team? In other words — what are the traits, characteristics, and personality types? Here are some factors I’ve heard so far:
* Faith – Strong trust in God * Grounded in Scripture * Focused * Empowering * Servant leader — humble * People are drawn to his dreams. In short, he/she has followers. * Ability to cast a vision for a dream that hasn’t happened yet — Articulate, innovative, creative, a positive life force and a positive thinker, “can do” mentality * Possesses an enduring spirit. Doesn’t give up easily. Exudes determination. * Empathy: Creating a legitimate rapport with your staff makes it less likely that personal issues and resentment can creep in and derail the group. When your team knows that you are empathetic to their concerns, they will be more likely to work with you and share in your vision, rather than foster negative feelings. * Consistency: Being a consistent leader will gain you respect and credibility, which is essential to getting buy-in from the group. By setting an example of fairness and credibility, the team will want to act the same way. * Honesty: Another characteristic of leadership that lends itself to credibility. Those who are honest, especially about concerns, make it far more likely that obstacles will be addressed rather than avoided. Honesty also allows for better assessment and growth. * Direction: Having the vision to break out of the norm and aim for great things –then the wherewithal to set the steps necessary to get there– is an essential characteristic of good leadership. By seeing what can be and managing the goals on how to get there, a good leader can create impressive change. * Communication: Effective communication helps keep the team working on the right projects with the right attitude. If you communicate effectively about expectations, issues and advice, your staff will be more likely to react and meet your goals. * Flexibility: Not every problem demands the same solution. By being flexible to new ideas and open-minded enough to consider them, you increase the likelihood that you will find the best possible answer. You will set a good example for your team and reward good ideas. * Conviction: A strong vision and the willingness to see it through is one of the most important characterizes of leadership. The leader who believes in the mission and works toward it will be an inspiration and a resource to their followers. * Committed and growing relationship with God. * Sensitivity, ability and willingness to deal with the challenges and issues full-time missionaries encounter. * Compassionate heart for missions and world evangelism. * Ability and commitment to work well in teams and with other people. * Ability to coach, mentor, and empower other workers toward effective ministry. * Ability to lead in the establishment and implementation of team vision, values, and a strategic ministry plan.
Now, using the comment box below, what attributes would you add? Thanks for your help!
Doug
Good judgment (preferably with a proven track record) is essential. You can be the best leader in the world but if you are leading me in a bad direction that don’t cut it…
– Dependent on the Grace of the Holy Spirit to provide discernment and wisdom;
– Increasing in Christlikeness;
– Scripture inspired prayer life; depending upon the Holy Spirit, Who resides within.
– We are responsible to “be filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18); to “walk in the Spirit” (Gal 5:16); we are not to “grieve the Spirit” (Eph 4:30); we are not to “quench the Spirit” (1 Thess 5:19);
The Gift of Leadership, I think its a gift from God, not everyone has it, but a true leader is one who people follow.
They have to give their life for the kingdom, and whole heartedly look for where God is going. Missions seems to be lacking these people at the moment. Most of Missions seems to be run by managers not by leaders. Managers are threatened by real leaders.
Leaders expect with anticipation that God will do great things and yearn and motivate others to come and join.
Leaders are those who won’t settle for the normal or the “way its done.”
“Where have all the leaders gone.”