The Problem for Leaders

There are two kinds of leaders — outcome-driven leaders and character-driven leaders. So, Joseph Stowell in his fantastic new book, Redefining Leadership: Character-Driven Habits of Effective Leaders (Zondervan, 2014). Anyone who begins a book on leadership with what Stowell says has my thumbs up vote:

In conversations about leadership, I am most frequently asked, ‘What’s your biggest challenge?”

My answer is always, “Me!”

Tell me, what do you think are the marks of an outcome-driven leader vs. a character-driven leader? (see below after you have recorded your thoughts)

There it  is, a leader who shapes a book by looking at the problem for leaders (character) and therefore orients the conversation about leadership around these topics:

A redefined priority: character.

A redefined identity: following Jesus.

A redefined leader: the kingdom of God.

The Marks of the Outcome-Driven leader: identity is leader, success measured by outcomes, use people to build the enterprise, promote themselves, the organization should serve them and their interests, lead with the power of positional authority, demand affirmation, trust their own instincts, are competitive, see themselves as a CEO.

The Marks of a Character-Driven leader: identity is follower of Jesus, success measured by influence on those who generate the outcomes, use the enterprise to build people, elevate Jesus as the center, believe they are there to serve, lead with the power of moral authority, willingly affirm others to lead for final, divine approval, know their fallenness and are unsure of their instincts, energetically cooperate with others for the advancement of the work of Christ, see themselves as a shepherd.

Wow, just wow.