The Leadership Buffet – The Authentic Pastor/Leader
As I introduced last week from my book The Humility Factor, there is a literal buffet of leadership styles that can be effective in our churches and our organizations, and every one of them has positive and negative characteristics that impact the lives of the people who follow the leaders. You will remember I believe because churches and organizations are all unique and need leaders who have particular strengths, talents, and qualities that match the situation; however, I also am convinced that in addition to their unique skill set, personality, and viewpoints, leaders must be humble, following the principles of humble intelligence modeled by Jesus. Remember, the words pastor and leader are interchangeable. Organizations need humble leaders just as much as churches need humble pastors.
Authentic
According to many leadership experts and scholars, the traits of an authentic leader are self-awareness, a clear moral perspective, discipline, relational transparency and purpose-driven focus. They are agile, adapt well to other cultures, and are able to find solutions to challenges because they are open to other people’s perspectives. Authentic leaders are individuals who know who they are and what they think and are perceived by others as being aware of their own values, moral perspective, knowledge and strengths. One of the true strengths of authentic leaders is that they are presumed to be free of the need to engage in ego-protecting biases that distort the process of self-relevant information. Many 21st century leaders openly aspire to be authentic leaders.
* * *
Impact
When the humility factor is added to the leadership style of Authentic, the humble pastor outcome is that the leader draws people to themselves and their cause. Positive qualities are amplified, while negative qualities fall away due to heightened self-awareness and a broken and meek spirit. People trust and desire to follow this kind of leader.
* * *
All organizations, particularly churches, need authentic leaders who can be trusted, whose ego can handle the accolades given to them, and the character to resist the lure of ambition and celebrity. As leaders, we owe it to our people and our calling to be an authentic leader.
In the weeks to follow, we’ll continue to take a close look at the other dishes on the leadership buffet.
Lead well. Lead humbly.