There are lots of different leadership styles out there. Positive and negative. Effective and ineffective. People-centered and task-centered. But successful leadership doesn’t automatically mean godly leadership. Successful leaders celebrate results, but outstanding leadership brings people with you to celebrate together. One thing great leaders all have in common, no matter their individual success or style, is the leadership attitude they hold.
1. A godly leadership attitude is to place others before ourselves
Great leaders live to serve, not to be served. They give to others according to their needs, instead of taking because of their own needs. This attitude builds loyalty because everyone wants to follow a leader committed to seeing them succeed. Loyalty breeds connection and connection unlocks service. Imagine how this would play out in the leadership functions of communication, directing, and teamwork, and the difference that would make in your organisation.
2. Godly leaders allow themselves to be influenced by others.
None of us is an island, and every single one of us needs others in our lives. We all have knowledge or skill gaps and need teaching, training, coaching or mentoring. When we are teachable, people see – they see a humility that is approachable and comforting. Would you want to follow someone who knows it all? When we are leading and living as if we are open to influence from others, people will notice.
3. A godly leadership attitude is understanding our internal world’s power.
Leadership roles and responsibilities are a sobering mirror that exposes our hearts. Our insecurities will manifest in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. We are exposed, and the people around us will see us in a new light, and they might not like what they see. So it is imperative that we identify and resolve any insecurity or unhealthy patterns of thinking. If we fail to do so, what is in us will come out of us – and more people will notice that we truly believe! If some of our pain and fear are evident, our leadership credibility will be undermined in the eyes of those we are leading. Unhealthy thinking that will erode our leadership effectiveness includes independence, rebellion, fear of people’s opinions, passivity, jealousy, competitiveness, comparison, fear of failure, fear of risk, control, manipulation, blame-shifting, and perfectionism. Whilst this isn’t an exhaustive list, it is interesting to note that these are internal attitudes. My Strongpoints assessment can help you identify the unhealthy areas of thinking you may have as a leader, as well as show you the strengths and talents you carry that you can harness.
All change has to start with us changing the way we think. Oftentimes, self-discovery is the beginning of that journey.
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