Here are some of the key points from my talk about leadership when I spoke at CLIMB in March 2012. ( www.weclimb.org ) Each statement is a flyby at 30,000 feet and could be expanded on; here are the highlights. By Mark Marston, 05-12-2012
I Like a Leader Who
I like leader who: Possesses Integrity.
"It is not your business to succeed, but to do right: when you have done so, the rest lies with God." C.S. Lewis
I like a leader who: Casts their vision again and again.
I like to follow someone who has a clear vision of where they are going, and communicates it repeatedly.
I like a leader who: Provides feedback regularly
Let employees hear from you when you see something good not just something bad.
I like a leader who: Gives both authority and responsibility.
When you give someone responsibilities, also give them enough authority to carry out those responsibilities.
I like a leader who: Inspires people to do more and to be better.
I like a leader who: Believes in a well rounded team.
You need others who aren't like you and don't expect them all to be like you.
I like a leader who: Leads by example - do as I do.
Do as I say, not as I do is a REAL demotivator.
Greg Sidders example: take a small chain, put it on the table, push it from behind, what do you get? A jumbled mess. To move a chain you need to pull it. Pull people don't push people; which is to say, “Lead by example”. Move people forward toward a common goal. The leader is not the goal and the follower is not the goal, leader casts the vision, leads by example, and everyone moves forward toward the goal.
I like a leader who: Never asks or tells a subordinate to lie.
When you don't want to take a call, do you tell your employee to say, “He's not here?” Or do you instruct them to say, “She's not available?” As a follower, who has been put in many awkward spots, I ask you to consider what type of positions in which you place people. Prov 21 says, “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor.”
I like a leader who: Looks for good people, not just talented people.
I think that it's a lot easier to train someone to perform a task, then it is to build the kind of character into them that you really want in the people who work for you. I think leaders should look for good people, talented people not just skilled people.
I like a leader who: Demonstrates true strength by being able to admit they need others.
A good leader:
Mark Marston, 05-12-2012
I Like a Leader Who
I like leader who: Possesses Integrity.
"It is not your business to succeed, but to do right: when you have done so, the rest lies with God." C.S. Lewis
I like a leader who: Casts their vision again and again.
I like to follow someone who has a clear vision of where they are going, and communicates it repeatedly.
I like a leader who: Provides feedback regularly
Let employees hear from you when you see something good not just something bad.
I like a leader who: Gives both authority and responsibility.
When you give someone responsibilities, also give them enough authority to carry out those responsibilities.
I like a leader who: Inspires people to do more and to be better.
I like a leader who: Believes in a well rounded team.
You need others who aren't like you and don't expect them all to be like you.
I like a leader who: Leads by example - do as I do.
Do as I say, not as I do is a REAL demotivator.
Greg Sidders example: take a small chain, put it on the table, push it from behind, what do you get? A jumbled mess. To move a chain you need to pull it. Pull people don't push people; which is to say, “Lead by example”. Move people forward toward a common goal. The leader is not the goal and the follower is not the goal, leader casts the vision, leads by example, and everyone moves forward toward the goal.
I like a leader who: Never asks or tells a subordinate to lie.
When you don't want to take a call, do you tell your employee to say, “He's not here?” Or do you instruct them to say, “She's not available?” As a follower, who has been put in many awkward spots, I ask you to consider what type of positions in which you place people. Prov 21 says, “A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor.”
I like a leader who: Looks for good people, not just talented people.
I think that it's a lot easier to train someone to perform a task, then it is to build the kind of character into them that you really want in the people who work for you. I think leaders should look for good people, talented people not just skilled people.
I like a leader who: Demonstrates true strength by being able to admit they need others.
A good leader:
- Submits her leadership to the lordship of Christ.
- Asks, “How do my mission, my passion, my goals fit with pursuing God's purposes?”
- Helps followers go as far as they can with their skills, talents, and abilities. He helps them stretch and grow, and increase in responsibilities, and skill sets.
- Finds ways to connect with, and work together with, other leaders who compliment them.
- Trains and raises up new leaders.
- Never loose sight of his mission and revisits it often.
Mark Marston, 05-12-2012