Coming Election
During this period of time from now to November 2020, we in the USA will be looking carefully for the qualities we seek in a good leader… wanting to elect a great leader … someone worthy of following.
Our Ideas & Biblical Principles
I asked Bob this morning, “If you had to name just seven qualities you think are essential for effective leaders, what would they be?”
His answers didn’t totally match the Biblical principles that prompted this blog title, but some were right on. I was reading 1 Timothy 3:1-3 during my devotional time up in my angel room this morning. This is what it said:
“… If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. Now the overseer must be above reproach… temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
An overseer is one who sees over his followers. A supervisor, head, manager, head honcho! And s/he must lead with qualities worthy of emulation.
Bob said,
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Intelligence
- Experience
- Compassion
- Interdependence (not someone who thinks s/he can do it all alone)
- Respect
The Bible went on to say in 1 Timothy 3:6-7 (The parenthesis are my additions):
“He must not be a recent convert (in other words, s/he needs experience in his/her area of leadership), or he may become conceited… He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace…”
If the leader’s reputation is tarnished, it is like handing his/her followers a handful of worms. They just come crawling out…
1 Timothy 3:8-10 says,
“Deacons, likewise, are to be [persons] of respect, sincere… and not pursuing dishonest gain. They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.”
Being a deacon is often considered synonymous with being an “elder.” In the Catholic church, it is a position below that of priest. In the protestant church, an elder is part of the ruling or decision-making body. A deacon is a part of a group of leaders elected to reach out in service to the congregation and the community at large. All religions have “deacons” whose job it is to be the hands and feet of God – serving those in need. Deacons are respected leaders whose job it is to serve those who count on them.
Your Ideas & Mine
So have you come up with your own list of seven qualities a good leader needs? Will you let those qualities guide your decision when you vote in your next election?
Before you read on, make your own list. What are the seven qualities you deem most important in an effective leader?
These are the ones I gleaned from my study of the third chapter of 1 Timothy:
- competent (gained from applicable experience)
- wise (wisdom borne of Godly counsel, intelligence and study)
- mature (mentally and spiritually solid)
- gentle (compassionate & not quarrelsome)
- self-controlled (exhibiting peace and unity)
- respectable (leading a life worthy of emulation)
- generous (always giving his/her best to/for followers)
May we each live a life
That is worthy of emulation –
A life that is an open book.
Tell me, what are the qualities
that are on your list for great leaders?
See ya tomorrow.
Have a Super Saturday!
Hugs,
JanBeek
Comments on: "7 Qualities of Great Leaders" (11)
that is a great list!
Thank you. Which ones resonated with you most?
hmm…..great question. they are all so important but I would say respectable. Hope you had a blessed Mother’s Day.
Ah yes… how can we follow a leader we don’t respect? Those who do amaze me! My mother’s day was wonderful… different… but I am grateful for all the ways my family reached out. Hope yours was grand, too, Wendi.
🙂 thank you so much Jan……..
Okay my list is more than 7 because it combines Bob’s and yours. Although many of all these overlap. So glad you posed this question and hope all readers give this serious thought.
Thank you, Fran. I think it’s a question we all need to ask ourselves and live/vote according to our answers. <3 See ya tomorrow on ZOOM. <3 Happy Mother's Day! <3
Honesty and integrity.
Inspires Others.
Commitment and Passion.
Good Communicator.
Decision Making Capabilities.
Accountability.
Consideration of others (not self serving)
Thank you for your excellent response!
A very good way of focussing on such a crucial upcoming process.
Yes, Derrick, we need to focus on the process with intelligence and knowledge and discernment. I pray all voters will do so!