Effective leaders

My job gives me the opportunity to interact with a lot of people in leadership roles. Many of these leaders are highly effective, and I learn a lot from them. I especially enjoy learning from those who have been in positions of leadership for many years and continued to remain effective. As I reflect on what I see in these extraordinary leaders, I have observed four common aspects of their leadership.

People 

Effective long-term leaders love people and understand the importance of investing in people. While these leaders recognize the need for structure, they always emphasize people over policies and procedures. When we allow our structures to become more important than the people they were designed to serve, our effectiveness begins to wane. 

If a system has outlived its usefulness and people are crying out for change, effective leaders listen. We simply can’t lead well if we don’t make people our priority.

Passion

Leaders with staying power must be passionate about what they are trying to accomplish. If they are merely fulfilling the tasks of a job description or collecting a paycheck, but are not personally passionate about their mission, they will soon leave for another job that has a better job description or a bigger paycheck. Leaders like this usually jump ship before they attain maximum effectiveness. They have long resumes but have made little difference in people’s lives. 

Effective leaders, on the other hand, love what they do and commit themselves to the mission. Others can see, feel, and hear their passion and are inspired to catch the vision. Passion is the difference between a good organizer who can accomplish what is required and a great leader who leaves a lasting impact on those involved in the organization.

Performance

Capable long-term leaders produce a higher quality of work than less effective leaders. Whether through formal training or on-the-job learning, they have developed the skills needed to excel in what they do. 

While most leaders tend to have some natural leadership skills, effective long-term leaders do not just rely on their natural skills. They are always learning, growing, and improving. As a result of this, they consistently produce a higher quantity and quality of work than those using out-of-date skill sets.

Persistence

Finally, leaders who are effective over the long term stick to the task until it is complete. They never quit when facing challenges. If one solution doesn’t work, they find another one. If a system has become less effective, they tweak it or replace it with a system that works. If policies and procedures have become barriers to accomplishing the mission, they make the necessary changes. If funding is lacking, they seek more funding and don’t stop until they find it. 

Effective long-term leaders know how to turn challenges into opportunities, and they consistently navigate the people they serve toward the goal of accomplishing the mission. No leader stays forever, but these leaders work persistently and leave the organization in a much better situation than it was when they assumed leadership.

Leaders who understand and love people are filled with passion about what they do. They are committed to constantly learning and growing in their skill sets and performance. They stick it out until the job is done. Effective leaders propel organizations forward to create impressive impact that makes a real difference. 

Dr. Terry W. Dorsett serves as the executive director of the Baptist Convention of New England.