What Makes A Good Leader?

Take note, young leaders. This is a million dollar question. Especially if you’re able to get the answer.

New leaders need to be curious and intentional about discovering what makes a leader good.

Answering this one question will set you on the right path of leadership.

Do you know the traits of a good leader?

You may find that there are many answers to this question. And I think there are.

We’ve seen great leadership qualities in many different people. Astoningishly, leadership looks different this way.

Yet, I know there are qualities that make a good leader.

What Doesn’t Make A Good Leader?

Let’s first take a look at what doesn’t make a leader. This may clarify where we’re going.

Age doesn’t make a good leader: I love what Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12. Paul tells him to let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Timothy was a young leader. There were people who looked down on him for this. Yet, as we see here, there’s no age requirement to be a leader.

Title doesn’t make a good leader: We all know people who waited and waited and waited for a title to become a leader. Only to see their leadership fail.

A title may get you places but it doesn’t make you a leader.

Knowledge doesn’t make you a good leader: Plenty of people study books and listen to encouraging material. They may even go back to college to earn a new degree.

Yet these learners may not become leaders. Though I do believe that every leader is an intense learner.

Passion doesn’t make you a good leader: I love passionate people. There’s an energy that exudes from them that can be captivating.

Still, passion alone doesn’t make a leader. It shows excitement and energy. If it stays there, we don’t have a leader.

What Makes A Good Leader?

This is the question we all need to ask ourselves. Or maybe we could reframe it as: What would make me a good leader?

Make it personal. Dig deep. See what you can bring to the table.

There’s more to it than that. Let’s look at what makes a good leader.

Proper conduct makes a good leader: If we look at what Paul said in 1 Timothy 4:12, we see he gives us a glimpse at one aspect of good leadership: but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

Good leaders set an example. They live out what they teach and preach.

Taking responsibility for your actions makes a good leader: We see poor leaders who are constantly passing the buck. Whether it’s the fact that their team didn’t meet budget, a project went over deadline, or some other business failure, the fault lies with someone else.

Good leaders know that because of their position, results ultimately fall on them. John G. Miller, author of the book QBQ!, frequently shares that good leaders take responsibility for their actions. And I must agree.

Seeking wise counsel can make you a good leader: When we’re leading, we can’t be lead alone. It doesn’t work that way.

In Proverbs 15:22, the Bible tells us that Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

This means we need to find people we trust and who are willing to tell us the truth. Without these wise people in our lives, the leadership plans we have will fail.

Clear communication makes a good leader: Have you ever been led by someone who doesn’t communicate well? They either withhold information critical to your job or they don’t respond to emails?

This lack of communication is infuriating. It also tells those you’re leading that they don’t matter.

Good leaders open up clear lines of communication. They share critical information freely with those who need it.

These are but a few pieces of what makes a leader good. Now, I want your input. Will you answer today’s question and share what other leadership qualities make a good leader?

Question: What do you think makes a good leader? Share your traits in the comment section below.

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