The characteristics of good leadership

Introduction

Some directions were characterized as good and were used as challenges for others to emulate. This description, however, raises an obvious question: which of these criteria were characterized as good leadership? It 'true that some leaders, whose leadership does not fall into this category, have good qualities that others can emulate. For this reason it is important not only to know that the leadership has been characterized as good, but also to learn the characteristics that qualify him as well. According to Anthony D'Souza, leadership involves an inter-relationship between three elements:

(A) The quality of skills and needs of followers
(B) The needs and expectations of the group
(C) The requests or requirements situation.1

It can be observed from what D'Souza said that the first element deals with the personality of the leader, the second, third and his followers, the task at hand.

On the basis of what has been said that the characteristics of good leadership will be identified under the following headings: -

(A) The personal characteristics of leaders
(B) The characteristics of the followers
(C) The leader of the task or mission. Selected leaders in the Bible, whose leadership

were classified as good will be the basis of this presentation.

(A) the personal characteristics of leaders

You can see from the scriptures that God was very selective in choosing leaders for specific tasks. God specifically chose Nehemiah to lead the rebuilding of the wall of Jerusalem, Moses lead the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, Paul, the pioneer missionary work among the heathen, and David, whose family would have a lasting dynasty, to replace Saul. These men certainly had qualities that were essential to good leadership. God has recognized these qualities in them as potential when he chose them.

In this section some of the qualities of leaders mentioned above will be discussed in more general terms. The aim is to show that it is recognized that good personal qualities of leaders, when applied to leadership are the hallmarks of good leadership.

Nehemiah

Reflecting on the book of Nehemiah, John White said that "the book of Nehemiah is primarily to unfold for us by God's on-going plan for his people. But it's always the man, his character and his leadership holds my interest ".2 Two important things stand out from the evaluative statement on John White Nehemiah leadership that are characteristic of good leadership. The first is the character and conduct of Nehemiah himself as a leader and the second is his leadership skills. White also praised it, probably one of the reasons why it was chosen as cupbearer Nehemiah was due to a well-trained staff of quality as that of a stable character. Such well-trained stable character was not only the efforts of Nehemiah himself. This can be seen in the following statement - "God has used the active life of prayer of Nehemiah to mold him into a divine leader" .3 As a leading example, Nehemiah was dependent upon God, from whom he received his personal support and the ' encouragement, which has motivated enough to succeed. Nehemiah met its ministry and its leadership has been characterized as good. His good conduct and his demonstration of leadership skills are personal traits of leadership, which made him successful.

Moses

The education of the Moses' as an adopted son of Pharaoh's daughter was oriented towards the leadership. The attack, which led to his flight from Egypt, has revealed that he has recognized his leadership qualities before God called him to leadership. However, it took 40 years from the time of his escape from Egypt, before God called him to leadership. Joyce Peel noted that Moses learned to be a pastor. Long years of care sheep taught me patience was needed as a leader of the sons of Cantankerous Israel.4 Joyce Peel This observation demonstrates that the personal quality of patience in the life of Moses' was a feature of his good leadership. This quality was evident in the life of Moses through the major challenges he faced as a leader in Israel. An example is when he came down from Mount Sinai and found the people worshiping the golden calf. He broke the tablet engraved with the commandment of God, and, with an overwhelming cry, 'Who is the Lord's side?', Summons the faithful Levites to massacre.5 The next day he scolds the people and then with his heart broken, back to the mountains, to plead their forgiveness.6

Patience is not only the quality of the staff that Moses had. But it has been used to demonstrate that good personal qualities, when applied to leadership, lead to positive results. Consequently, the good qualities are personal characteristics of good leadership.

Paul

Paul had great success in the ministry that God called him to. Results should however be seen as pointers to the personal skills or qualities that a leader is that they did to succeed. What then were the qualities that made Paul to succeed? First, it is important to look at some of the results that Paul made. He had a big impact in his missionary work and also in his writing. John Stott has noted that thirteen letters attributed to Paul, our New Testament form, almost exactly one quarter of the entire New Testament. It 'was the rediscovery of the theology of Paul that has led to the reform of the sixteenth century, the theological revolution that led to an upheaval in the Roman Catholic Church and led to the birth of our everyday educational background Protestant Churches.7 Paul gave him this advantage. It should not go unnoticed that this great Apostle used all that he had personally made in his formative years in his leadership role. Drawing on his personal qualities, in the lead to positive results in its leadership was a characteristic of good leadership of Paul.

David

According to Ted W. Engstrom, David The second king of Israel was a stark contrast to Saul, the first king.8 This was because of his noble qualities, generous and admirably demonstrated in his leadership. This comparison indicates that the leadership of David was not only better than Saul, but his leadership can be called good. John C. Maxwell also compared the two leaders. In response to a question, which placed - 'Why did not Saul as king of Israel, while David, who appeared weakest success' said it was because the attitude of David. Unlike Saul, David sought to become a better leader.9 It 's clear from these two authors, David's personal qualities, particularly his attitude to always be a better leader were the characteristics of its good leadership. Have the qualifications or qualities is one thing, but their application in their role of leadership is another. David applied his leadership qualities in guiding and has an impact as a leader.

The characteristics of the Followers

Some of the characteristics of good leadership can be identified with the followers. Before identifying these characteristics, it would be useful to examine some of the definitions of leadership, to be reminded of the relationship between leaders and followers. According to Oswald Sanders, leadership is influence. It 'a person's ability to influence others to follow his example. Ted W. Enngstrom defines leadership with only two words - 'leaders to lead.' Myron Rush also gave a definition of leadership and his definition of leadership as 'leaders playing on followers'. These definitions indicate the relationship between leaders and followers, but more significantly, what they considered to be the focus of the report. Oswald Sanders Engstrom and concentrate on the following. This caution identifies the characteristics of good leadership - willing followers. If one takes into account the point D'Souza mentioned in the introduction, that one element of leadership is 'the needs and expectations of the group', it follows that one of the reasons why people willingly follow their leader is because their needs and expectations are met. Another feature can be identified from the definition Myron Rush - by the head of followers, there is the guarantee of the continuity of that ministry. The four leaders, Nehemiah, Moses, Paul and David, whose leadership has been classified as good, will now be used as a test to identify the two features.

Nehemiah

When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem from Susa, he first personally assessed the situation of the destruction of Jerusalem. Then he called the people and shared his vision. The Bible says that people have responded to Nehemiah (cf. Ne. 2:8). This clearly shows that from the beginning of his mission, Nehemiah was willing followers. They were willing to follow because they realize that the vision was good and that some of their needs as a community are met. Maxwell noted that the wall of Jerusalem has been rebuilt thanks to the ability of Nehemiah to work with people and bring them where they need to go.10 This shows that Nehemiah had willing followers.

Nehemiah also gave recognition to subordinate leaders like him delegate their responsibility. This, as he said, opens the potential for leadership others.11 Therefore we can say that Nehemiah had followers not only willing, but the leaders have been played under his ministry.

Moses

When Moses returned to Egypt to set free the Israelites, were initially excited. But when Moses did not worsen their situation were more excited to freedom. However, by the end of the ninth plague, he realized that Moses was a servant of God sent to rescue them. They followed Moses' instructions to observe the Passover and then followed him willingly took them out of Egypt.

There is also the scriptural evidence that the leaders were produced under the guidance of Moses'. One example is that of Joshua, which replaced it. Joshua was Moses' personal assistant was mentored by Moses to become a leader. Leadership of Moses' and then had the characteristics of followers and willing to play the leader.

Paul

Even when he was "Paul the aged", was the model and leader of a group of dynamic young people. The affection was kindled in the hearts of his followers was reflected in the tears that flowed when he told them that he would have seen more (Acts 20: 36-38) .12 Sanders revealed in the passage quoted above, who leads the apostle Paul had the characteristics of willing followers. His ministry has had great impact in the lives of many who were not even willing to exchange his leadership for another.

As the Lord Jesus, Paul has spent his life in a few people, because he was expecting a lot from them. These were the people who took his missionary journeys. Two people, Timothy and Titus became the leaders of local churches. Therefore, like Moses, the leadership of Paul had the characteristics of followers who want to, and the production of garments.

David

David rose to fame when he killed Goliath, the Philistine giant. Eugene H. Merrill, commenting on the victory of David given that with its growing popularity among the people came to a deterioration of his relationship with Saul, the king became insanely jealous of the new Israel hero.13 It 'obvious that David had a large following . People followed him because they saw potential in him. They recognized it as a great leader, even before the official recognition was given to him.

David ruled Israel for 40 years and when he was stepping down as King Solomon, his son had already been treated for that position. So, like Nehemiah, Moses and Paul David's leadership was characterized by the production of willing followers and leaders.

(C) The leader of the task or a committee

You can see from Scripture that God will always give a specific task or mission of every person who calls the leadership. Some of the characteristics of good leadership can be identified in the manner in which leaders decided to carry out their task or mission. There are two things which are of primary importance to how a leader accomplishes his work. These are his vision and his leadership style. The vision of a leader and leadership style may be the characteristics of leadership, both good and bad. However, in this section, the goal is to shoe as these two features can be the characteristics of a good leadership.

According to John Haggai, a vision is important because it is a key factor for success leadership.14 A leader can have a good vision and his vision, however, does not contribute in any way to do his good leadership. Haggai shows what a leader must do to make his vision of a feature that contributes to good leadership. First, he argues that both leaders and followers must understand the vision. And 'responsibility of leaders to help followers understand the vision and accept it. Second, both leaders and followers must commit to act on the vision. This action involves the design goal of a program to realize the vision. In this way both the leaders and followers are prepared to face the difficulties and barriers. It is in this way a vision may be a feature of good leadership.15

Mentioned issues that may be a characteristic of good leadership is the leadership style. Styles of leadership was due to the classification by different authors. Anthony D'Souza classified leadership styles on a continuum where one end is described as a task-oriented and the other as value-oriented.16 Myron Rush also agree with D'Souza that leadership styles can be seen in a continuum, but used different descriptive terms for the different styles within continuum.17 The four styles are used in the continuous Rush: dictatorial, authoritative, consultative and participatory. These authors on the topic styles was not to emphasize the best, but rather to show the importance of all of them. The point was that they were doing a good leader has had the characteristics of different leadership styles. The leader must be flexible to changing situations. When you are able to adapt their leadership styles to new situations, then his style of leadership ... became characteristic of good leadership. Myron Rush gave examples of situations in which particular leadership styles are appropriate. He said, dictatorial style of leadership is appropriate in an emergency or when people's lives are at stake, consultative style in conducting ongoing planning process for the department or organization; authoritarian style when employees constantly misuse of authority and participative style, as people become competent in performing their routine responsibilities.18

The four leaders mentioned in this document, whose leaderships have been classified as good, will now be used as test cases to determine if the points mentioned here are properties of their leadership.

Nehemiah

Joyce Peel, commenting Nehemiah task of building the walls of Jerusalem said that a depressed nation needs an inspired leader who can unite and galvanize his people in action. Such a man was Nehemiah.19 These words not only revealed that Nehemiah had a clear vision of his task, but was also able to make his followers understand the vision and commitment to act on it. This was just one of the reasons why they were able to rebuild the walls in fifty days. Many Jews lamented over the ruins of Jerusalem city walls, but it took the vision of a man who knew how to bring people together and gave them hope to change that. Engstrom has also highlighted the fact that people caught sight of Nehemiah and acted on it, when he observed:. "Just read the Book of Nehemiah to discover the importance of people in the workplace leaders in building ever the walls of the temple and the city lost sight of the objective and the total picture. Were able to maintain this using all active people as the experts who have been trained to do a specific job "leadership 0.20 Nehemiah had the characteristic of a clear vision that has been actively pursued by himself and his followers.

It can be observed from the book of Nehemiah, Nehemiah used the consultative style of leadership when he arrived in Jerusalem to begin the work. However, in the last chapters of the book, when things went wrong, his style of leadership changed an authoritative one. Therefore we can say that the leadership of Nehemiah had the characteristics of a vision and a change in leadership style.

Moses

Moses has a clear vision when he returned to Egypt to lead the Israelites from slavery. The Israelites wanted to be free, but have questioned the ability of Moses setting them free. However, when they know that Moses was a servant of God, that would free them from slavery, they obeyed his instructions and then follow it went out of Egypt.

The records also show that the biblical Moses changed his style of leadership. Before Jethro came to visit him, carrying a heavy workload all by himself. Myron Rush stressed that it was an authoritative leadership style, for Moses had to make every decision.21 After meeting with Jethro his style of leadership changed in more than one advisory.

Paul

Paul's vision was not clear to him alone but also to his followers. Since the road to Damascus experience, he knew he was called by God to be a missionary.

Sanders noted that Paul was a missionary trail-blazers, leaving behind a series of new churches. This is a face significant that the most progress missionaries of the past fifty years have followed the discovery or re-emphasis of Paul's missionary principles.22 E 'because the vision of Paul and the principle of achieving that vision was so clear that long after that went people still followed his footsteps.

It can also be seen from the story that Paul Acts changed its leadership styles. For example, in the quarrel between him and Barnabas over John Mark, Paul displayed an authoritative leadership style. Most of the time is authoritative when it comes to issues in the Church. At other times showed a consultative style of leadership - in number leading to the Jerusalem council. It may be noted that the leadership of Paul was characteristic of a clear vision and leadership styles that change.

David

Two things are very clear in Scripture of David. The first is his vision for Israel and another his vision of God, David was a king of war and led his army into battle against the enemies of Israel and took the land God gave them. He also lived his life in devotion to God he had a vision to build a dwelling for the Lord. Even if God has denied him this privilege, he made great preparations for this temple, which was later built by his son Solomon.

It 's clear in Scripture that David changed his styles of leadership according to changing situations. Showed an authoritative leadership style when he led his men into battle. For example, in a situation where Nabal refused to reward him and his men with food supply to protect his servants and flocks in the fields. At other times showed a consultative style of leadership. When the Bible records are examined, one could clearly see that the direction of David show characteristics of a clear vision and a style change of leadership.

Conclusion

In this article some of the characteristics of good leadership have been identified. This was done under the following headings: (a) the personal characteristics of leaders, followers and the characteristics of the task of the leader or committee. These divisions were based on the results of Anthony D'Souza, who revealed that leadership involves an inter-relationship between three elements - the leader, the followers and the task at hand. Six characteristics of good leadership have been identified and are as follows:

a) The personal qualities of leaders, who give him his leadership skills.
b) The conduct of a leader or a character that is formed by the divine life that is living.
c) The will of the people to follow without force.
d) The reproduction of the leader of followers.
e) The clear vision of the leader, which eventually becomes the vision of people and

focus in the ministry.
f) Changes in leadership style to respond to different leadership situations.

Are you a leader, whose leaderships have been characterized as good, were used as test cases to see if the quality of which can be found in their leadership. It 's been shown that these characteristics have been evident in each of their leadership. There are many other qualifications of good leadership, but it is of primary importance to have a balance in three major areas identified. An individual can have all the good qualities of leadership and yet its leadership can not be good for his style of leadership. In addition, people can not follow the leader, because his vision is not clear to them. Good leadership does not only depend on the leader or follower or leadership style, but all three of these qualities. When there is a balance in these three areas, leadership becomes exceptional and that was the kind of leadership Nehemiah, Moses, Paul and David portrait.

FINAL NOTES

1. Anthony D'souze, be a leader (Achimota: African Christian Press, 1990),

p 25.

2. John White, excellence in leadership: the model of Nehemiah (Leicester:

Intervarsity Press, 1986), p 10-11.

3. Ibid, p 14.

4. Joyce Peel, A Journey through the Old Testament: The History of God

Relationship with the woman, man and the world (Oxford: Reading the Bible

Fellowship, 1993), p 35.

5. Ibid, p 41.

6. Ibid. p 41.

7. John Stott, Men with a message: An Introduction To New Testament and its

Writers (Suffolk: Evangelical Literature Trust, 1996), P 86.

8. Ted W. Engstrom, the creation of a Christian leader (Michigan: Zondervan

Publishing House, 1976), p 30.

9. John C. Maxwell, The 21 minutes a day most powerful leader; Revitalising the

A Spirit Empower its leadership (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publisher, 2000), p 4.

10. John C. Maxwell, 21 minutes The most powerful leader in a Day: Revitalize Your

Empower the Spirit and its leadership (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000),

P 68.

11. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Guide (Chicago: Moody Press, 1994), p 166.

12. Oswald Sanders, Paul Leader: A Vision for Christian Leadership Today (Glasgow:

Kingsway Publication Ltd., 1983), p 42.

13. Eugene H Merrill, Samuel: The Bible Knowledge Commentary (Colorado: Chariot

Victor Publishing, 1985), p 449.

14. John Haggai, Lead On! Leadership that lasts in a changing world (London: Word

Publishing, 1986), p 16.

15. Ibid. p 17.

16. Anthony D'Souza, being a leader (Achimota: African Christian Press, 1990), p 36

17. Myron Rush, Management: A Biblical Perspective (Illinois: Victor Books, 1996), p 219.

18. Myron Rush, Management: a biblical approach (Illinios: Victor Books, 1983), p 226.

19. Joyce Peel, traveling through the Old Testament: the story of God's relationship with

Man Woman and the World (Oxford: The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1993), p 141.

20. Ted W Engstrom, The Making of a Christian leader: How to develop management

And Human Relations Skills (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), p

21. Myron Rush, Management: A Biblical Perspective (Illinois: Victor Books, 1976), p 220.

22. Oswald Sanders, Paul: a vision for Christian Leadership Today (Glasgow: Kingsway

Publishing Ltd, 1983), p 967.

END NOTE

1. Anthony D'Souza, being a leader (Achimota: African Christian Press, 1990),

p 25.
2. John White, excellence in leadership: the model of Nehemiah (Leicester:

Intervarsity Press, 1986), p 10-11.
3. Ibid. p 14.
4. Joyce Peel, A Journey through the Old Testament: The History of God

Relationship with the woman, man and the world (Oxford: Reading the Bible

Fellowship, 1993), p 35 .......