The difference between average leaders and great leaders …

There are average leaders, and there are great leaders.

Unfortunately, there are many more average leaders than there are great leaders.

What makes a leader “great” instead of “average”?

There are several characteristics that contribute to making the difference, but of all of the great leaders I’ve had the chance to work with, learn from, or observe, there are five key characteristics that seem common among them:

1. Great leaders are ORIGINATORS.
Great leaders don’t know the meaning of “cookie cutter.” Great leaders approach their work from a very clear vision, and vision doesn’t come in cookie cutter format. While great leaders usually are keen about what others are doing, they understand they are in a different place with different people and different resources called to do their unique work. So they focus on what is possible with God and create original work.

Lately I’ve noticed what almost seems to be a trend among “average” pastors regarding sermon preparation. I’ve noticed when they begin a new sermon series they run out and buy the hottest book on their subject that is written by a “great” leader, and then regurgitate the contents of the book to their congregations. It’s one thing to study for learning, another to copy.

Average leaders replicate what great leaders are originating.

2. Great leaders are INNOVATORS.
Great leaders don’t simply think outside the box, they think without a box! Because they work from vision, their leadership thinking routinely flows to that which doesn’t exist yet. They think in terms of “What should be done?” (value-driven, without limits) instead of “What could be done?” (limited from a starting point of what has been done) and thus create their own starting point instead of limiting themselves from where they can begin and where they can go. Doing so often means they have to change how people think, change expectations, and change existing methodolgies. They don’t think twice about innovating their way to their goals.

3. Great leaders are THINKERS.
The average leader makes the excuse they are too busy with all their responsibilities to take time simply for thinking. That means most of their thinking is done “on the run,” and their leadership suffers for it. Great leaders understand the necessity of applying clear and thorough thought to their work and make time for it in spite of their pressing responsibilities.

4. Great leaders are DEEP.
Great leaders understand the truth in the time-worn saying, “You can only draw out of a well what’s in it.” In that case, one would think that with all the books on leadership, tons of leadership conferences, and a host of other resources available, that we would have more “great” leaders. The difference is that great leaders don’t simply study what others have studied and “mastered,” but have so studied, and dug, and worked at their learning that they have developed more masterful knowledge and skills. They don’t rely on the learning of others alone but apply themselves to acquiring knowledge to the point of understanding and wisdom. Thus, they have a “depth” to draw from.

5. Great leaders are DISCIPLINED.
Discipline is easier for the introvert. But I have observed that discipline is even characteristic of more extroverted leaders. The extroverts often dive into their work with a focus, but need to take breaks to interact with others. But then they rein themselves in and take themselves back to their work. They apply discipline to keep them focused on, and in, their work.

There are other characteristics that make a leader “great” but these are a few that seem to be common. How do you fare regarding these characteristics? What can you do to grow in each of these five areas to help you become a better leader?

Scotty