Traits of the well-defined leader

I came across some notes from a presentation by my friend Ken Hurto (who recently pleasantly surprised me by finding me on Facebook). Ken’s presentation on leadership was titled “Being a Lighthouse and Not a Bulldozer.” In it he used the bulldozer and the lighthouse as metaphors for different styles of leadership.

In his presentation he offered a list of ten traits of the self-defined leader (note his use of “self-defined” as opposed to “self-differentiated”). I think it’s a helpful and challenging list that describes something worth aspiring to. Here is Ken’s list of traits:

1. Knows who she is and what she is becoming. Moves toward maturity.
2. Clear about what he believes and what he values.
3. Works out of a principled perspective.
4. Out front on issues of importance to her.
5. High tolerance for ambiguity and high tolerance for disagreement.
6. Clear personal boundaries.
7. Acts as a catalyst and coach to the system.
8. Achievement-oriented: more concerned with results than feelings
9. Loves life
10. Elastic in relationships; has a broad relationship repertoire.

From, Perspectives on Congregational Leadership: Applying Systems Theory for Effective Leadership, by Israel Galindo. Check out the Perspectives on Congregational Leadership blog.