Leveraging Your Leadership Style

Abingdon Press

Chapter One

Leadership is an art, not a science. Over one hundred years of leadership writing has brought American society to a fundamental truth: Leadership is about people ... and people are messy! Today, in the early stages of the twenty-first century, we are learning that leadership is a human endeavor that demands skill and grace not easily learned in educational, corporate, or seminar settings. Good leadership skills are good relationship skills. Leaders who lead well are self-aware and capable of influencing others by the strength of their character and the boldness of their vision. Effective leaders attract followers who are willing to trust them with their vocations and their futures.

In my (John) own leadership setting, I have a rare privilege. Our organization is young (less than ten years old), and staffing would typically be a major concern. Of the eight major staff people I work with on a regular basis (four of whom report directly to me), I have known three of them for more than twenty years, two of them for more than fifteen years, and one of them for more than ten years. The privilege of relationships built over time has allowed me and staff members to develop trust and confidence tested over time and through the journey of life together. The leadership culture that we have created today, and the decisions we make together, are based on years of trusting and tested relationship investments.

It's About Character

Because leadership is ultimately about character and influence, we believe that every person can exercise some measure of leadership. Leadership may initially be "self" leadership, but it can ultimately expand to influencing others in light of the organic nature of character to "breed" itself in others. Character doesn't stand still ... it moves to influence others. Because character influences others, we offer this resource to equip leaders to leverage their leadership style by connecting leadership and personality style in a positive and winsome combination.

Leaders who can adopt this vision of leadership (relational influence and compelling vision) will find themselves consistently building trust and developing relationships that last. My personal tendency is to be very task oriented. But I realized long ago that no tasks of lasting value are ever accomplished in organizational settings without buy-in of a large number of people in an environment of sustained healthy relationships. In order to leverage their leadership style, readers will need to learn their own leadership style (you'll discover that in chapter 2 and following) and the styles of others. But learning your personal style and those of others will not be helpful unless you commit to building an environment where relationships are valued and relational health is encouraged.

In addition to a commitment to relational health, leaders must also embrace a compelling vision of the future. In the Bible, Isaiah 26:3 says that God "will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in [God]." Leveraging Your Leadership Style will help you measure your success as a leader in light of a firm purpose and a clear vision of your leadership role. We think that success in life comes from mastering specific disciplines and putting those disciplines into play on the field of life.

Have a Clear Purpose

One of the most successful books in recent history is The Purpose Driven Life by Dr. Rick Warren. In his book, he includes a number of key concepts worth our attention: "The purpose of your life is far greater than your own personal fulfillment, your peace of mind or even your happiness." "It's far greater than your family, your career, or even your wildest dreams and ambitions."

Our understanding of life is that our purpose is found in right relationship to God through Jesus Christ. We believe that when you discover that purpose, it focuses your life and gives meaning and value to your life. When you have clarity of focus, then you can maximize the energy you apply to specific circumstances. Once your vision, focus, and energy are all aligned, we think that life becomes a glorious and grand adventure!

Leaders Are Growing People

Leaders are growing people. They begin by growing themselves, and then they grow those around them. Leaders create a growing environment because they have a vision for themselves, their people, and their organizations. The leaders we have been most impressed with over time are those who are growing spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. I (John) have been impressed with many leaders who have continued the discipline of personal growth through the course of their lives. Watching people who grow people has personally motivated me to be a leader who invests in the lives of others. In our own organization, we regularly invest in training, development, and personal growth for each of our team members. Further, we regularly "benchmark" our organization with other excellent organizations so that we can learn from people and places where growth is taking place.

Investing in Others for Maximum Impact

Leaders invest their lives into the lives of others for maximum impact. One of the paradoxes of leadership is the need to be growing so that you can give yourself away. The more that you give yourself away, the more you need to keep growing so that you can keep giving. The more you grow and give, the more fruitful your leadership harvest will be! Even the Bible says, "You reap whatever you sow"! (Galatians 6:7). It is particularly true in human relationships that people who invest themselves in others will never lack for an opportunity to make a positive difference. Robert Schuller, founding pastor and visionary leader of the Crystal Cathedral church in Southern California, has long told pastors of local churches that "the secret of a growing church is so simple ... find the hurt and heal it!" The same is true for leaders: invest your life in others, and you will always have a leadership harvest in the relationships of your life. Those who learn what Leveraging Your Leadership Style is all about will have taken the strategic and relational steps to become a peak performer in each of the dimensions that John Maxwell and others have identified for success.

Leadership Practices

Frances Hesselbein, head of the Drucker Foundation (founded by management guru Peter Drucker) and former head of Girl Scouts of America, is one of the keenest observers of the state of leadership research and practice today. In a summary statement about leadership practices, she observed:

All the effective leaders I have encountered—both those I worked with and those I merely watched—know four simple things:

1. The only definition of a leader is someone who has followers. Some people are thinkers. Some are prophets. Both roles are important and badly needed. But without followers, there can be no leaders. 2. An effective leader is not someone who is loved or admired. He or she is someone whose followers do the right things. Popularity is not leadership. Results are. 3. Leaders are highly visible. They, therefore, set examples. 4. Leadership is not rank, privileges, titles, or money. It is responsibility.

...