Becoming a Character Led Leader
Leaders are everywhere—in our homes, schools, offices, boardrooms, and government. And despite having access to more opportunities, training, connection, and resources than ever before, we see leaders fail every day. As you’ve probably experienced, the consequences are messy, disruptive, and often painful.
If failure is to be avoided, we must first understand what success includes. Money? Power? Prestige? Followers on social media? More letters at the end of your name? A corner office?
Leaders today are failing because they are chasing worldly success by investing their most precious resource—their time—in developing the wrong skills. And even those that “make it” find themselves wondering what it is all for.
It’s hard to pin down, but one study revealed there are over 15,000 leadership books in print today. There is value in learning better time management, maximizing your team’s potential, or learning new communication strategies. But lasting impact comes when a leader takes a vulnerable look inside, at the condition of his or her character.
Becoming a character-led leader requires time, patience, and intentional internal work. This behind-the-scenes investment isn’t a recipe for overnight success. But it will give you the endurance needed to face challenges, guide difficult decisions, and help you set and stick to your priorities.
The cost may be high—a lost job, deal, or opportunities—but character-led leadership bears fruit as you live in alignment with your values and find deeper meaning in your work.
The greatest model of a character-led leader is the person of Jesus. Philippians 2 is a beautiful reminder of how Jesus took the posture of a servant as he demonstrated his great love for us. Character-led leadership is synonymous with the biblical model of a servant leader.
Whether you have influence in your home, small group, school, or office, you are called to follow his example. Each of the seven practices of character-led leaders will deepen your faith and align your values with biblical truth.
The practices of a character-led leader:
Get Wise - Expand Your Biblical Perspective
Get Vulnerable - Uncover Your Unique Story
Get Focused - Maximize Time and Energy
Get Clear - Develop Endurance for Every Season
Get Connected - Grow Your Community and Opportunities
Get Humble - Learn Self-Care and Foster Gratitude
Get Serving - Share Your Influence and Help Others Grow
If you are ready to break the cycle of chasing worldly success and invest in meaningful change, put down the latest best-seller, pick up the Bible, and begin to cultivate truth in your heart.
We want to pastor the heart of leaders to see them reach their full potential for God’s Kingdom and find purpose in their work and lives. Our free online course can encourage and equip you on your journey to greater depth and maturity as you learn how to apply each of these seven practices.
1 https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/the-paradox-of-leadership/#:~:text=Leaders%20transcend%20the%20confines%20of%20a%20defining%20box.&text=According%20to%20a%20recent%20survey,in%20the%20thousands%20each%20year.
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