6. Mobilizer – I don’t do ministry alone
These eight qualities of a group leader are characteristics of Can-Do LEADERS, not Can-Do ACHIEVERS. What’s the difference between a leader and an achiever? Achievers are doers and leaders are developers. Achievers are limited by their own time, talent and expertise. Leaders are only limited by the time, talent and expertise of the team they develop around them. Achievers do ministry alone. Leaders do ministry with and through others. Achievers are focused on what they can do. Leaders are focused on activating and mobilizing the Can-Do in others.
7. Resilience – I bounce back after every setback
Martin Luther, father of the Reformation, translated the New Testament into German while confined to the castle of Wartburg. Ludwig van Beethoven wrote his best masterpieces after going deaf. Thomas Edison rebuilt his invention factory after it burned to the ground—he was 67 years old. In fact, as he watched it burn, he is reported to have told his kids, “Go get your mother. She’ll never see another fire like this one.”
Resilience marked each of these leaders. They learned to bounce back after every setback. Hardship is often the refiner of qualities of a group leader. Your resilience reveals the deep roots of a Can-Do attitude.
8. Grit – I don’t give up until the job is done
Thomas Edison once said, “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Can-Do Leaders don’t give up. They have grit. Angela Lee Duckworth, author and psychologist from the University of Pennsylvania, has extensively researched the subject of grit. She observed:
“Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality. Grit is living life like it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
A perfect example of grit is found in a comparison of standardized math test scores between Japanese and American children. One study involving first-graders found that Japanese students were better than American students at solving a difficult puzzle. What was the major difference? Grit. American students would work an average of 9.47 minutes before giving up. Japanese students worked 47 percent longer—13.93 minutes. Researchers concluded that success had less to do with intelligence quotient and more to do with persistence quotient.
Which “Can-Do Leadership” qualities of a group leader is your greatest strength? Which is your greatest weakness? Your Can-Do commitment is essential as a leader—for you personally and for the team you lead.
This article on the qualities of a group leader originally appeared here.
