The Truth About Leadership

In the Truth About Leadership, Kouzes and Posner describe what research has revealed about leadership and how certain aspects of leadership endure over time.  Here are a couple of things that I gleaned from reading the text.  I think these 10 lessons are essential for pastors and church leaders to review often.

1. Individuals make a difference not programs. Inspirational leadership is accompanied by a positive attitude.
2. Credibility is the foundation of leadership.
3. Values drive commitment. For a humbling exercise, write down desired values, actual values and stated values.  This is one of the most desired values (and stated) "Lost people matter to God".  Actually many times it is not the actual value. The actual value is; "we matter to God and lost people would to if they came to our church and acted like us."
4. Focusing on the vision of the church sets leaders apart. Good vision casting connects the hopes and aspirations with the congregation.
5. Pastors cannot do it alone.
6. Trust rules!  Honest leaders not only tell the truth, they also lives according to their own guiding principles.
7. Difficult times (cross bearing) is the nuts and bolts of greatness.
8. Leaders either lead by example or they do not lead at all.  Words are cheap - Action is powerful.
9. The best leaders (and pastors) are the best learners.
10. Leadership comes from the heart.

I stand ready to protect and fight for the truth of this statement: Jesus is and will always be the Model of Leadership - across the board and in any situation.