Many people have said that young or aspiring leaders should be FHAT: Faithful, Humble, Available and Teachable. I think that’s true, but there’s something else that I look for. It flows from each of the FHAT characteristics, but goes even further.
It’s something I look for and admire in all people, but I think it’s especially important for potential leaders. When it comes to aspiring pastors or church planters (and I’m around many in our Pastoral Residency Program), this quality is crucial.
I’m looking for leaders who display hunger and initiative for learning.
Good leaders are learners.
Great leaders, however, are hungry and proactive learners.
I’m looking for leaders who:
- are confident, but aren’t know-it-alls.
- know that it’s cheaper to learn from others’ mistakes than their own.
- initiate meetings to learn from those who are strong where they’re weak.
- are eager to read, listen to messages and attend conferences.
- can learn from people outside of their “tribe” or perspective.
Recently our Student Ministry Director approached a retired school teacher about meeting because he wants her to help him think through how to engage his students with a love for reading.
An aspiring church planter recently wanted to meet with me and came prepared with a list of questions he needed help with.
A relatively new pastor offered to take me to dinner if I’d listen to one of his sermons and give him feedback (I’m still working on it).
Another young man asked me if he could have our preaching schedule and a list of recommended commentaries so that he could study the passages in depth before hearing me preach about them.
These are leaders who I know will succeed and who I’m happy to invest in.
Are you a leader like this?
Thanks Luke.
Good article, but do you think that a person should only invest in one area of leaders for example. Being that your pastor the examples you gave were for other pastors. What about sports, business or school teachers?
Also, not sure if you saw this article but Piper has some good stuff on leaders. List seemed exhaustive though.
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/articles/the-marks-of-a-spiritual-leader?lang=en
I’m mostly writing for pastors and ministry leaders, which is why I used those examples. Either way, I think the principle applies. Whether in sports, business or teaching, the people I’d get most excited to invest in are those who are hungry and show initiative to learn rather than thinking they already have all the answers.
Thats very good insight. Thanks!
Perspective is truly an amazing thing. I feel that the best leaders are also great at having the ability to put their view/vision/stance on the side in order to completely understand and appreciate the perspective of others around him/her. If this can be accomplished, it’s amazing how much more prepared we are to better serve, lead, and in some cases follow (the best leaders are also willing to be lead).
Great point, Jonesy. Being able to listen and adapt and follow is huge. Thanks for commenting.
Very true! I know that’s something I have always appreciated about Joe in leading our family, leading our church in CA, or his jobs managing. He has always been a learner, and always open to being spoken into. He is so humble and always looking to grow, and he is a great leader!
This is good. And encouraging.