The Heart of a Leader

Today, in our society, we are surrounded by people we may call leaders. They are leaders in government, business, education and we tend to think that a leader is a person who has power, who is charismatic, well-connected or even wealthy, but leadership goes beyond that. Leadership is not about power and dominance toward others. True leaders will have the desire to make others stand on their own. True leaders do not want to have many follower, they want to teach others to become leaders.

Many leaders think that to be effective leaders we need experience, education or training. Though those are important, there is one most important tool in leadership we need; the heart. Knowing what it is and how to use it is the key to become effective leader. Leaders who have “The heart of a leader” will:

1. Having strong vision – Proverbs 29: 18 says: Where there is no vision, the people perish (KJV). Leadership begin with visions. A vision generates direction. Lack of vision will result to confusion, inefficiency and at worst destruction. However, vision will be useless for a leader if he fails to communicate and translate the vision into specific, applicable principles. Leaders need to take vision into actions.
2. Shepherding – Bill Hybels explained a shepherding leader builds a team slowly. He loves the team members deeply, nurture and support teams in a gentle way and consistent. Leading like a shepherd focus on relationship with those in our circle and those who are entrusted to our care. It involves awareness, compassion, protection and commitment to fulfill responsibilities given to us as leaders. Jesus is the perfect example as a leader in term of shepherding.
3. Not self-seeking – true leader will build his team. He will not just focus on his own need. He will think others above himself. When it times to take credit, he makes himself invisible; but he will be the first to arrive at the time of need.
4. Dynamic determination – this relate to the personality trait of a leader to have a strong will, the ability to initiate and break the chains that often keep others from getting started. It is a courage and boldness to act while others don’t.
5. Having desire to develop people rather dictate plans – leadership is not only about accomplishing plans. It is more on how we develop our team member. We can get people to do what we want, but if they don’t change in their heart. We have not taken them to where God wants them to be.

Being an effective leader, we need to have the heart as a leader. Ken Blanchard believes leadership should not be done purely for personal gain or goal accomplishment; it should fulfill a much higher purpose. Leading at a higher level is the process of achieving results while acting with respect, care, and fairness for the well-being of all people involved. When we realize it’s not all about us then we begin to lead at a higher level.

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