Learning to Lead Now and Later
Why does most leadership development material leave out the most important aspect of leadership? Some things are so obvious they are easily overlooked. They are “hiding in plain sight”. One of those treasures is the answer to the question today. What is the most valuable quality of leadership and covers all the others? It is L-O-V-E – love. You read it correctly.
I can hear some say that you have to be tough to lead and love isn’t appropriate in some situations. My reply is that love is always appropriate. “Why?”, you may ask. Well, I will tell you. All the leadership qualities I have ever studied and used come under the umbrella of love.
Ten (of many) Accoutrements of Loving Leadership
- Excellence – leading with and toward excellence shows you love and care for both the people you lead and the ones they will impact.
- Honesty – we don’t lie to those who love us and we love
- Integrity – we are the same person without faking character when we love
- Fun – we see the lighter side of life and enjoy those we love
- Clarity – we want to be understood and seek to understand the other’s view
- Simplicity – we reduce the waste and keep things simple when we can
- Punctuality -we show respect to those we love and care for by being on time
- Best Product possible – Whatever we are making or building will be the best we can with the resources we have when making them from love
- Humility/Sacrifice – when we love, the other person’s needs come first
- Confidence – when we love others we operate from a foundation of caring and being cared for resulting in secure relationships and confidence
When we know we are loved by our Father in heaven and accepted by His Son Jesus Christ as we are, we will not settle to stay “as we are”. We will work to please Him and serve Him faithfully just as Jesus served and loved His Father while on this earth. We want to give the best and be the best for those we love, especially for Jesus Christ our Lord.
In the home and in church life, as well as in our work world, love and its adjoining accoutrements are too often missing. OK, they may not be missing entirely, or course, but rarely are we intentional about making sure they are present. Can you think of other qualities shown to those we love?
Defined: accoutrements
ə-koo͞′trə-mənt, -tər-
noun
- An accessory item of equipment or dress.
- Military equipment other than uniforms and weapons.
- Outward forms of recognition; trappings.