One can find many definitions of leadership. At its most basic, leadership is the ability to influence others. Peter Drucker said, “The only definition of a leader is someone who has followers.” John Maxwell, in a similar way, says, “Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.” In an article in Forbes some years ago, Kevin Kruse provided this definition, “Leadership is a process of social influence, which maximizes the efforts of others, towards the achievement of a goal.”

Peter Drucker described five major roles of leadership as the following:

• setting objectives
• organizing the group
• motivating and communicating
• measuring performance
• developing people

Again, we see here the importance of influence.

Our Faith Guides Our Leadership

As a Christ-follower who is also a leader, our influence should bear the aroma of Christ in all that we do.

“But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.” – 2 Cor 2:14–17, ESV

In the 3^rd chapter of 2 Corinthians, we are then told that we are being transformed into the image of Christ. These two descriptions then should be our guide as we seek to “love our neighbors as ourselves.” We are to love as Christ does and as He instructed us in Matthew 22 and Mark 12, when He spoke of the Great Commandment(s). The Greek word used here is agapaõ, or agape love. This word is generally thought of as unconditional love, or we can refer to Paul Tripp’s definition of love as “Love is willing self-sacrifice for the good of another that does not require reciprocation or that the person being loved is deserving.”

Further important principles of leadership that we find in Scripture might include the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22–23) or the “One Another” commands. Of course, there are many books that further describe the Bible’s description of leadership and the importance that is placed on leading well.

The Traits of Leadership

Leadership is not a position or a title. Leadership is not about doing; it is about being. Leadership can be considered a reward from those we lead, a result of who we are and how we interact with those who we seek to influence.

As a leader, our team members observe and make decisions regarding who we are and the degree to which they are willing to be influenced based on our character and competencies. While competencies may be more visible, the strength of our relationship or influence is most dependent on our character.

If, as a leader we hope to influence others, we must demonstrate the character of leadership. Character can be defined as that set of capacities the leader needs to meet the demands of reality. Character is important for effective leadership because positive character traits draw other people into relationship. When we first meet someone or as we interact, our brain subconsciously asks the questions, “Is this a person that I could respect?” and “Is this a person that I could trust?” Negative or weak character traits in an individual cause people to disrespect or distrust the individual. Positive traits draw us into relationship. This relationship can be one of influence.

A wide range of positive character traits are considered to be important for effective leadership. Some of the most important character traits for developing a relationship of trust and respect in a leader are the following:

• Forward-looking / Vision
• Positive outlook / Confident / Inspiring
• Flexible / Resilient
• Openness / Approachable / Personable
• Principled / Integrity
• Authenticity
• Humility
• Empathetic / Caring / Compassionate
• Results-oriented
• Honesty

Our character shows up in the big things and the little things. One might carefully craft a presentation or speech with all the right words to attempt to demonstrate character, but all of what we say and do add up to truly demonstrate our character. In fact, it is often the little things that we do without thinking that really show our character. After all, character is sometimes described as “who we are when no one is looking.”

As an example, the author at one time met a young man who was dating our daughter. Of course, he was on his best behavior and tried to show himself well. During our time together, we went on a short trip. As he got out of the car, he dropped a tissue. Rather than pick it up he simply kicked it under the car, thinking he was unnoticed. This became a part of my judgment of his character, which eventually proved to be accurate. When my daughter came to know him better, she wisely “kicked him to the curb.”

The other part of who we are as leaders are our competencies. Competencies are the skills, abilities, or experiences that a leader demonstrates in performing their duties. Followers want to know that their leader is knowledgeable and capable as a counterpart to character for a relationship of respect and trust. A leader has credibility based on competencies. The major competencies of leadership include the following:

• Communication skills – presenting, inspiring, negotiating
• Problem solving and decision-making skills – prioritizing, weighing options, thinking deeply, considering risks
• Skills in developing and coaching others – identifying potential, encouraging
• Planning, organizing, and executing skills – project management, delegation, supervision
• Interpersonal and relational skills – team building, relating, being vulnerable, openness, empathizing, understanding, and managing emotions
• Strategic thinking and visioning skills – forward-thinking, integrating information
• Functional and technical skills – skills within a functional area, expands at higher levels of an organization

There is a common saying, “Hire for character, train for skills.” Competencies play a role in building a relationship of trust and respect but do not have the same weight as character. The other reason for seeking character first is that character is a defining part of the person; they define what a person is. Character can grow or change but requires much effort to do so. Skills are more easily added to a leader’s personal portfolio. In fact, character traits often are foundational to skills. For example, communication skills are one of the important competencies of a leader, but communication is only effective when it is built upon character traits such as compassion, openness, humility, and vision.

Integrating Our Faith and Leadership

As we review the character traits of effective leaders, we see a picture of Christ’s character. As we are being transformed into the image of Christ, we naturally grow in the character traits of leadership. This “aroma of Christ” should or must be evident in all our actions if we are to influence others towards their own relationship with Christ.

So, how does our understanding and desire to represent Christ mesh with the character and competencies of leadership. Let us examine some example scenarios.

As we provide feedback to associates, do we have a critical attitude or a constructive attitude? Do we even place an importance on providing consistent and frequent feedback? We are told in 1 Thes 5:11 to “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” Providing coaching and feedback are two of the most important tools of effective leaders, useful in developing or building up others. Is it our natural inclination to build up associates by stepping in and taking time to do so?

Similarly, do our performance reviews “speak the truth in love” or do they speak otherwise? We must present a clear understanding of the truth regarding performance, but we must be clear that we are on the same team, seeking development and success of the associate. Even when this might entail sending the associate off to find a more suitable opportunity elsewhere, we can do so with encouragement and support.

We can go on with more examples. Do our conversations, including both the words and underlying attitudes, bear the aroma of Christ? Do we consistently treat others with respect and care? Do we “do what we say and say what we do” consistently? Are we open and personable with all? Do we love our neighbors or associates as ourselves? In a meeting or discussion, who is the most important person?

In short, do our organizations seek to follow, to be influenced, by us? And as they are influenced, do they sense the aroma or see the image of Christ?