45 Quotes On The Vital Importance Of A Leader’s Character

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Do you know any leaders whose talent took them to where their character could not sustain them?  Sadly, I am sure you do.

As part of my personal growth plan, I attend a monthly coaching session called Lunch With A Leader.  This event is attended by over 100 of the most influential leaders from the local government, first responders, and members of the business, athletic, educational, and non-profit communities of the North Atlanta towns of Acworth and Kennesaw.  Lunch With A Leader is put on by NorthStar Church in Kennesaw, GA and their incredible senior pastor Mike Linch.

This month Mike taught on the subject of character from the life of David.  Everyone in the room was inspired and left challenged to become the spiritual leader God has called them to be.

I want to add that I am overwhelmed by the spiritual culture which exists in these two cities.  If you are a pastor and want to learn how to launch a Lunch With A Leader event in your community, I recommend you reach out to Mike on Twitter here.

The following are 45 Quotes On The Vital Importance Of A Leader’s Character.  All comments are from Mike unless otherwise noted.

1. God said David is a man after my own heart.
2. There was something about who David was that God could look past his flaws.
3. We come out of a performance-based world.
4. You being used by God is an “earning” position.  God chooses to use you in spite of you.
5. God chooses to use you if you choose to be used.
6. Reputation is what others know us to be.
7. Character is what God knows us to be.
8. Reputation is image-based.
9. We can lead positionally or we can lead personally.
10. Leadership is about moving people onto your agenda.  Spiritual leadership is about moving people onto God’s agenda.
11. “Simply possessing a title does not guarantee respect.” – Henry and Richard Blackaby

1. Patience. Spiritual leaders are content to wait on God’s timing.
2. Waiting develops trust.  Trust develops character.
3. There will be a day someone else will sit in your chair at work.  There will be a day someone will do it better than you.
4. Nothing is ever on your timetable.
5. “The person who is impatient with (other’s) weakness will be ineffective in his leadership.” – J. Oswald Sanders.  Because they never let people develop as God wants them to develop.
6. Patience is not that we wait.  Patience is how we wait.
7. Humility. Spiritual leaders understand it’s not about them.
8. “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far?” – 2 Samuel 7:18
9. You are where you are because God chose you to be there.
10. Humble leaders recognize that all they accomplish and all they attain is because of God’s grace.
11. Humble leaders are more concerned about others than themselves.
12. “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis
13. Here’s a barometer to gauge your humility: When engaged in a conversation with someone you just met, who did most of the talking?
14. Pro tip: In social settings, use these four words often, especially when meeting someone new – Tell me about yourself.
15. When humility walks in the room, it’s a fresh fragrance.
16. Humility is one of the greatest traits of Christ you will ever display because it marks people.
17. Courage – Spiritual leaders do what’s right, even when it’s uncomfortable.
18. Courage is one of the things you dread on the front-end but appreciate on the back-end.
19. There are going to be times in your life when you have to be the Lone Ranger.
20. Courage is not the absence of fear but rather standing in the face of fear!
21. Courage is not faith in my ability but faith in God’s ability.
22. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.
23. Kindness– Spiritual leaders care about people even if they can’t return the favor.
24. The most successful leaders treat their teams with kindness.
25. Kindness is motivating because you want to return it.
26. What shows ultimate kindness to your team is knowing what makes them tick and celebrate them that way.
27. People never forget kindness.
28. “Unexepected kindness is the most powerful, lease costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” – Bob Kerrey
29. Our challenge is to continually push ourselves to be a better version of myself tomorrow.
30. What type of leader do I want to be remembered to be?

1. Celebrate their successes.
2. Ask, “How can I help?”
3. Give encouraging feedback.  There are times we have to say hard things.  Then help them solve it.
4. Care about them personally.

My book Timeless: 10 Enduring Practices Of Apex Leaders is available for purchase.  If you have ever wanted to become the leader God created you to be, this book is for you!  By combining leadership lessons from biblical heroes like Jesus, Daniel and Joseph, along with modern day leaders like Bill Gates, Nick Saban, Kobe Bryant and multiple pastors, Timeless will equip and inspire you.  This book is not to be read alone.  Discussion questions are included in each chapter allowing you to develop those in your circle of influence.  Click HERE or on the image provided and order your copies TODAY.