Leadership requires far more than an attractive appearance and impressive promises. What God demands in leaders are: integrity, humility, and courage. It takes integrity to be fair and honest even when you face pressures to show partiality. Some people expect favors or to be exempted from the same standards others face. One of your greatest temptations will be to compromise in the face of pressure from dominating or intimidating colleagues and clients.
God also expects humility. That is, no job, or responsibility is beneath you if it is good for your people. Godly leaders do not merely pander to the top executives while ignoring the shop floor laborers. No one is “beneath” you! Great leaders realize that every person is someone of value and so they treat them as such.
Finally, godly leaders demonstrate courage. They fear God, not people. They refuse to be bullied into compromising their convictions. They do not allow the loudest or most intimidating people to sway their opinions. Godly leaders are driven by principle, not fear.
Today’s leaders are often motivated more by popular opinion than by inner conviction. Reflect on these qualities in your life. At what level are you functioning with integrity, humility, and courage? How might you step it up a notch in these areas in the days ahead?