Are You a Leader?

I'm always interested in how various people define leadership.  To some you either have it or you don't.  To others leadership is the synthesis of traits which can be learned and developed.

Pastor Tony Morgan wrote a great post called, 10 Easy Ways to Know You're Not a Leader.  Tony is self-confessedly in the "you have it or you don't" leadership camp.  While I'm not sure I agree with that I love his Top Ten NOTs of leadership:

1. You’re waiting on a bigger staff and more money to accomplish your vision.
2. You think you need to be in charge to have influence.
3. You’re content.
4. You tend to foster division instead of generating a helpful dialogue.
5. You think you need to say something to be heard.
6. You find it easier to blame others for your circumstances than to take responsibility for solutions.
7. It’s been some time since you said, “I messed up.”
8. You’re driven by the task instead of the relationships and the vision.
9. Your dreams are so small, people think they can be achieved.
10. No one is following you.

I think this is a pretty good list.  While you might take issue with one or two, flipped on their heads this is a pretty good list of characteristics.  As I read through each item different things hit me, especially numbers one and two.

#1. I just listed to a great podcast from the guys at Manager Tools.  One of the things that came through from their experience is that good leaders get the job done and don't wait for more funding, more personnel, etc.

#2. I was struck by many conversations with my good friend David Aderholdt who has frequently commented that he feels that one can often have more influence outside of leadership positions than inside them.

May God all give us both great vision for what he wants done, and the perseverance to gut it out until we get there.

via Michael Hyatt