What’s below the surface in a leader?
While cleaning up some trails in the woods, I ran across a sizable rock that was buried. For safety purposes, I felt the rock should be dug up and removed from the trail.
I have moved many rocks like this in the past. Normally, what you see above the surface is about one-fourth of the rock, and typically isn’t much of a challenge to dig it out and move it off the trail. This rock turned out to be much more challenging. Only about five percent of the rock was exposed and the balance was buried.
This rock had much more depth, stability and balance than what met the eye. This got me thinking about leadership. What you normally see in a leader is their skills and physical talents in leading people. What you don’t see below the surface is their character.
This aspect of leadership separates servant leaders from just normal leaders who may or may not have shown signs of success. The depth of a leader’s character, what is in their heart, is what will separate a true servant leader from the pack.
In Warren Bennis’ book, The Leadership Advantage, he points out that researchers at Harvard University indicate that 85 percent of a leader’s performance depends on their personal character, qualities of their heart.
Key aspects of a servant leader’s heart that will separate them from the pack would include:
- A true desire to serve others, above and beyond one’s self
- A true desire for never-ending development of one’s ability
- A passion for excellence
- A willingness to always accept responsibility for their actions
- Committed to humility and vulnerability
- A true desire to make a positive impact on society
The great thing about all these things is they are choices. While issues of the heart don’t change overnight, we can be intentional about working towards positively developing each of these areas of our character in an effort to become effective servant leaders.
Join me in checking each of these areas to see how we are doing. Ask others (truth-tellers) their opinions of you in these areas as well. Then commit yourself to driving improvement. It will make an impact on your level of influence and the significance of your work and life!
“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:13).
Photo source: istock
 | Mark Deterding is the founder and principal of Triune Leadership Services, LLC. In 2011 he formed Triune Leadership Services to follow his passion of working with leaders to help them develop core servant leadership capabilities that allow them to lead at a higher level and enable them to achieve their God-given potential. He is married to his wife Kim, and they have two sons, two lovely daughter-in-laws, and three wonderful grandchildren. This article was first published on triuneleadershipservices.com. Used with permission. Learn More » |
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