Introduction: The Definition of a Leader Because you are the leader I am talking about, in this part of the book you will learn the definition of leadership, see some of the qualities leaders must possess. You will also discover that leaders are not born but rather they are called by God, made by God over a process of time and then announced by Him at the appointed time to carry out His divine purpose for man on earth. You will also realize that academic qualification and titles are not the same as “leader” or “leadership.” There is no single definition of leadership. If you understand this statement then you have taken the first step toward understanding who a leader is and toward becoming a successful leader yourself. Some common definitions and characteristic of leadership include the following: • A leader is a servant of the people. • A leader is the appointed or elected head of a group of people, organization, or a team. • A leader is the one taking the lead. • A leader is the one setting the pace for others to follow because he is the exemplary one. • A leader is the one making an impact with the maximum cooperation of the followers. • A leader is one that nature and circumstances of life has shaped to lead the people. • A leader is one who knows his Source and cannot do without his Source. • The leader makes efforts to walk correctly with God. • The leader takes out time to listen and hear what God’s plan is for the people at a given time. • The good leader has completely yielded to the inner leadership of the Holy Spirit. • The leader is sincere and sensitive to the needs of others. • The leader has gone through appropriate training for maximum efficiency. • A leader is a charismatic individual who is able to make good choices and motivate others to reach a common goal. • A leader submits to responsible God fearing people who can call him to order whenever necessary. • A leader has uncommon wisdom and understanding. • A leader is able to discern situations and problems and proffer a suitable solution. • The leader carries out decisions with the help and support of the followers. The leader is neither the smartest nor the weakest. Neither is he the smallest in size and heart; but he is the leader because he has a contrite heart and a desire to serve. This is the simplest explanation I can give of the scripture that says …he that must be great must be the smallest. So let’s continue with some more characteristics of a leader. • The leader has a contrite heart. • The leader is organized spiritually and physically. • The leader has a high degree of tactical abilities. • The leader has a very good measure of technical precision. • The leader has the interests of the people at heart because it is through meeting the people’s interests that the leader fulfils his calling. • The leader is totally engrossed in finding a solution to the problems of the people. • The leader has a traceable spiritual and physical consanguinity with the followers. • The leader is treasured by the people. • The leader is like a doctor, well trained in the diagnosis of the needs of the followers. • The attributes of this leader must include everything good and nothing bad must be found in him. • The leader has unbounded hospitality to the followers. • The leader has unbroken and unchanging affection for the followers. • The leader is a man or woman of unconquerable patience. • The leader is slow to anger, quick to listen and quick to discern. • The leader is an undaunted defender of the rights of the followers. • The leader has an unerring fidelity to his spouse and is married to only one partner. • The leader is coherent because he is spiritually sound. • The good leader practices the principle of checks and balances in every aspect of his private and public life. • The good leader keep men and women of vision around him. • The good leader understands that a corrupt government cannot solve the problem of corruption when it is part of it and that it is only a government free of corruption that can solve the problem. • The good leader is not led by expired intelligence. That is, the leader is not influenced by those with a colonial mentality or expired wisdom. • The leader is connected to the current source of information at all times. • The leader is not limited by anything because he has seen where he is going. • The good leader is up to date on the latest leadership trends by searching, reading, studying and always daring to make a difference. • The good leader should inspire, be able to pull together a diverse team to work toward a common goal and be able to make good decisions that will affect the nation in a positive way. • The true leader has an unflinching zeal to serve the people with unwavering allegiance and boldness. All these characteristics point to the fact that leadership is all about making an impact and it involves more than one person. This is the kind of leadership system we need now in Nigeria. This is the kind of leader we need now in Nigeria...
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:25:40 +0000
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