8 Reasons Why Leaders Succeed Or Fail

Leaders are naturally wired for advancement.  They are constantly moving forward.  They are taking people somewhere.  And even if you feel overwhelmed as a leader or not up-to-the-task, the responsibilities of leadership still require that you lead.

So whether you lead a church, business, department, sports team, or non-profit, what are the nonnegotiables, those things you must have, as you prepare to see mission and vision fulfilled?  There are many reasons why leaders fail but without these 8 nonnegotiables, you will surely do so.

The following will provide you a good checklist of what you help you succeed or fail as a leader:

• Passion – It leaks.  You must own the results.  This speaks to your self-leadership.
• Trust – Trust often takes a lifetime to build but can be lost at a moment in time.  Stay diligent because failures, past and present, can sink you as a leader.  This speaks both to your character and competence. 
• Preparation – Leaders will either prepare or repair.  It is preparation that separates average leaders from great ones.
• Vision - Your organization’s vision must be well thought-through and viewed as absolutely vital.  As a leader, you must bleed the vision.  Vision will become lost with the people when the leader loses their personal link to vision.
• Focus – The compellingness of the vision should provide focus and prioritize your activities.  
• Values – This determines what is essential to you as a leader.
• Work Ethic – This is not just hard work.  It is what you as a leader choose to work on.  It’s an old saying but it’s true, the speed of the leader will determine the speed of the team.    
• A Quality Inner-Circle – Are you deeply investing in other leaders?  Are you multiplying yourself?  Are your leaders informed?  Here are four questions all successful leaders should ask of their inner-circle:

1. Do you have questions or concerns about me as a leader?
2. Are you personally committed to giving your absolute best to the organization’s mission and vision?
3. Do you clearly understand our vision?
4. Are we collectively committed as an inner-circle to the fulfillment of the vision?

Passion, Trust, Preparation, Vision, Focus, Values, Work Ethic, and A Quality Inner-Circle.  Do you have these 8 qualities?  The answer to that question may determine if you succeed or fail as a leader.

Leaders, what is one thing from this list that you feel you need to work on today?

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