The Characteristics of a True Leader


(Adapted by Randy Howard from an Article by Brian Catanella with Permission)

Over the course of my life as a leader, I have a heard a number of alarming statements from those who have declared their aspiration to lead. Statements such as:

“It’s not my job. Someone else will do it.”
“It can wait, I'm ticked off right now.”
“Why I am expected to do all the work, that’s a raw deal.”

These are things that people will say without ever thinking about what it really reveals about them. Even though they say they want to be a leader, they indicate by their words an attitude of immaturity lacking the character and qualities of a real leader. It doesn’t mean they can’t change and become a good leader, but there needs to be an eye opening revelation of the heart.

Sports is an arena where one is really tested as to being a real leader or not. In a basketball game between Alabama and Houston recently, a young man by the name of Jamal Shead and starting guard on the Houston team showed us real leadership. Here’s what happened. On a last second controversial loss, the Houston team blew a gasket arguing with the referees and protesting the game. In fits of anger, most of the players and even the coach left the court destroying everything in their path. They kicked over chairs, garbage cans and some pounded the rails with their hands.

But not Jamal Shead. He stood there calmly as his teammates through their fits. Then Jamal humbly picked up every piece of garbage that had been strewn across the floor and put the trash back in the trash bin. You can Watch it here.

True leaders are those who know they are never too big to serve! Hall of Fame Coach John Wooden would customarily walk around picking up trash in the locker room so his managers wouldn't have to do it.

Super Bowl Champion Ed Reed challenged his teammates on the Baltimore Ravens to clean up after themselves and pick up their towels. He aimed to teach them to act like winners most importantly in the small things.

If you want to be a good even great leader, then understand that it starts small with something no one else wants to do. It is about taking the initiative that no one else will, roll up your sleeves and get to work.

In our day, the world needs true leadership - servant leadership! We need to slow down, look around and be the one that stands out as humbly serving others when no one else will. See who needs help and also see what needs to be done. We serve people but we also serve situations. Jamal Snead, by picking up trash and cleaning up a mess his teammates had made, served his teammates by showing them real leadership. He served the onlookers by exemplifying character and integrity. He served the arena staff by doing something so that they would not have to. Overall, he served a situation by modeling humility, grace and a sound mind.

I'm really moved by the seemingly little thing that Jamal Shead did. In all reality, it was something massive and profound. Every day we have choices to make that will either reveal us to be true leaders or terribly lacking. Most often, people choose the convenient way out. They leave things to be done by others when they could have taken the lead and accomplished what may be perceived as small and unimportant.

Do we choose the convenient way or the way that honors God? The choice is ours to make so may we be examples to those around us. 

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