Recently I have experienced work environments of all kinds – clothing, nonprofits, and now even employment in education. I have quickly learned some distinct and drastic differences in the leadership of two clear subdivides (the black and white where the beauty of gray no longer resonates)…one perspective that focuses on Christian values (people matter) and another perspective that centers around the daily routines of a business (money matters). Quotas of monetary gains focus more attention than the actual relationships that an abundant life offers (great memoires with friendships, families, and significant others).
Great Leaders…
1.) Respond positively when bad and good news comes (thinking of the good in all circumstances). I called a leader of one organization to explain that our power might be out for several days and that I may not have access to an electrical outlet. This person’s response was: “Is your family alright? We will make it work.”
2.) Encourage.
When I was having a hard time holding my head up because of what I perceived to be hard times, comforting words were given. They encourage because they experience the joy of Christ, and they have the natural ability to see the good in other people.
3.) Are Real, speaking well of others.
What you see is what you get. There is no hidden show of deception beneath the book cover involving a real leader. Their example is set by a true meaning of what it means to treat others as you would have others treat you.
4.) Are Grateful.
…just thankful for life, serving a Christian-focused cause.
5.) Are Gracious.
…show grace to the sick, students during exam week, or those suffering from natural disaster who have lost everything.
6.) Think about the welfare of team members when circumstances deviate from the norm.
I was prayed for by others in the middle of my distress.
7.) Have a Kingdom perspective and mindset.
These two individuals were praying for the deaths of fellow statesmen in my home, Alabama. Relief is not evident in actions. It is evident in prayer.
Poor Leaders…
1.) Responds negatively when bad and good news comes (thinking of the bad in all circumstances). I have been given several compliments from clients on the job. Despite phone calls from these clients to my superior, at the end of the day, the negative was the focused on more than the positive.
2.) Discourage.
One particular leader seems mad all the time and treats people harshly with critical words. This individual often lacks the ability to see the good in other people.
3.) Are Fake, speaking badly of others.
They pretend to be something they are not. Sometimes the package or offer of a job is more attractive than the job itself. I have heard on several accounts almost every employee, leaders included, in one particular organization talking bad about other people (gossip rather than encouragement).
4.) Are ungrateful.
…almost hating everything they do, therefore making sure everyone experiences the misery with them.
5.) Are ungracious.
…Grace is not shown despite illness, class work, or natural disaster that is occurring throughout the state.
6.) Think about their own personal progress instead of others.
For instance, I was given grief at one business for calling in sick one day and then having a doctor’s appointment another day, thus being late one hour to work.
7.) Have an earthly perspective and mindset.
While tornadoes were racing around Alabama, other businesses were closed while our business stayed open not for the safety of those who worked there but rather to make a dime.
Now after looking at these drastic differences between leaders, would you rather work for the first set of seven characteristics or the second set of seven? When I stumble, become frustrated, or even remain disappointed with a job, the source of leadership might explain why. With poor leadership comes a poor experience, and it becomes difficult for the layman person to rise and become great when those around him or her hates their occupation and therefore perhaps their own life as well. Your teammates can only be as great as those who lead them. In my humble opinion, you can never become more when those who lead inhibit you from doing so. That is when it might be time to start over somewhere else, somewhere focused on the right seven characteristics of a great leader.
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