Expectations of Leaders

Leadership: Larry Thomas
Wednesday, March 1, 2006

Last edition I established that our individual biblical foundation was revealed through scripture. That our biblical purpose was unique for us, and that we were responsible for discovering it. For people to get the most out of life they need to find this out for themselves and pursue a purposeful direction that provides meaning and significance to their existence. Unfortunately, most of us have bought into an unhealthy understanding of leadership.

We have been taught that leadership is about one individual performing all of the critical tasks - motivating, mobilizing, directing and resourcing people to fulfill a vision - at a level of excellence and influence that separates him/her from the bulk of humanity. The combination of skills and abilities required to be a great leader has caused many people to lament the absence of leaders in our society.

To provide evidence of why I contend that we have unrealistic expectations for our leaders, consider the results of a nationwide (Barna Group) survey in which people identified those things they feel are "very important" for a leader to do.

  • 87% expect leaders to motivate people to get involved in meaningful causes and activity
  • 78% believe leaders should negotiate compromises and resolve conflicts
  • 77% look to leaders to determine and convey the course of action that people should take in order to produce desirable conditions and outcomes
  • 76% rely on leaders to identify and implement courses of action that are in the best interests of society, even if some of those choices are unpopular
  • 75% expect leaders to invest their time and energy in training more leaders
  • 63% want leaders to communicate vision so that they know where things are headed and what it will take to get there
  • 61% say that leaders are responsible for the directing and production of employees associated with the leader's organization or cause
  • 61% think that leaders should analyze situations and create the strategies and plans that direct the resources of those who follow them
  • 56% hold leaders responsible for managing the day-to-day details of the operation

The list goes on, but the point is that we have developed an unreasonable notion of what a single leader should do. Who could possibly meet such a range of disparate expectations? So, how do we know what constitutes an appropriate expectation of a leader?

Until next month, remember that a person's most lasting memory of you is how you made them feel. God bless you as you lead and serve.

To receive a free self-study lesson to help you discern what constitutes an appropriate expectation of a leader contact me at Lthomas@hoksba.org or 316-204-5632.