Leadership Traits

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11, NIV

In a Zoom call this week, my friend Pastor Michele Fischer pointed out that this promise from God came at the beginning of the Israelites’ exile. The greatest trails were yet to come, but they emerged from this experience with a renewed and focused faith. Perhaps that is where we are right now. Although there are signs of encouragement in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not through it yet and we continue to struggle not only with systemic inequality but the prospective of an increasingly toxic political climate. How will we handle this as Christian leaders?

In a recent blog, church consultant Will Mancini suggests that during these times, we concentrate on certain traits that can provide a way forward.

First, security. This is a time to reaffirm our calling as clergy and laity. Mancini writes, “Effective leaders are secure in who God has called them to be and what [God] has called them to do.” We are called to be a non-anxious presence in a volatile time.

Second, positivity. We need a positive attitude toward the future. Mark Tidsworth often reminds us of the Stockdale Paradox: ruthless honesty plus unwavering hope. As a prisoner of war, Admiral James Stockdale believed that he and his fellow prisoners would prevail in the end regardless of the reality of horrific conditions. Yes, things are bad, but there is a way forward.

Third, simplicity. There is plenty of complexity right now with stresses from work, family, and society. We need to be clear and simple in presenting the way forward. Mancini notes, “Effective leaders are simple … but not simplistic.”

Fourth, agility. “If you’re not able to move quickly and easily as a leader, you won’t thrive,” says Mancini. We make good moves based on the needs but always hold to our mission and vision. This is “traditioned innovation”--embracing new possibilities but not forgetting who we are and who God has called us to be.

To Mancini’s list, I would add self-care. There is so much potential for change and growth in our present situation, but we must care for our spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational lives. Only when we do that will we have the strength to be secure, positive, simple, and agile.

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