There exists in Minneapolis a landmark eatery called The 5-8 Club. Its specialty is a world-famous hamburger called the Juicy Lucy. For those unfamiliar with the Juicy Lucy (shown above), it is a hamburger with cheese on the inside of the patty rather than on top. This local cuisine has become so popular it has been featured on the Travel Channel’s Man V. Food. I have had the privilege of eating a Juicy Lucy and it lives up to the hype!!!
The owners of this restaurant understand a significant leadership principle – It’s What Is On The Inside That Counts.
Leaders need to develop in two primary areas – Leadership Development and Leader Development. And there is a world of difference between the two.
- Leadership Development is developing the skills, talents, and abilities to carry out a task or assignment given to them by God. This speaks to competencies.
- Leader Development is becoming the type of man or woman capable of carrying out a task or assignment given to them by God. This speaks to character.
Too often leaders focus more on leadership development (books, podcasts, conferences, training, networking, etc…) than leader development. When this happens, a leader’s skills, talents, and abilities can take them to a place where their character can’t sustain them.
So when a high-capacity leader demonstrates a low-moral compass, I am rarely surprised. I immediately think they most-likely put a heavy focus on their leadership development and neglected their leader development. Subsequently, their skills outpaced their character.
For a leader to have the internal qualities needed to lay a foundation for sustainable influence, the following is what he/she needs to have on the inside:
- Worldview – Is your’s biblical?
- Core Values – Are your guardrails clearly defined and non-negotiable?
- Character – Does your private life reflect your public persona?
- Integrity – Do you keep your word?
- Honesty – Do you tell the truth?
- Passion – Do you own the result?
- Trustworthiness – Can people count on you?
- Purity – Do your eyes look at the right things? Does your mind think on the right things?
- Energy – Do you have a strong work ethic?
- Intelligence – Are you a continual learner?
- Focus – Do you avoid distraction and leverage your resources toward the right things?
- Attitude – Is your’s positive?
- Humility – Can you say “I’m sorry.”
- Emotional and Physical Endurance – Do you have what it takes to complete the journey?
- Generosity – Are you unselfish?
- Externally Focused – Do you see the intrinsic value of people and put other’s interest ahead of your own?
- Kindness – Are you gentle, caring, and tender-hearted?
- Health – Does your diet, rest, and exercise position you for long-term influence?
- Finances – Are you a slave to debt or are you a saver? Do you practice sound financial principles?
- Self Control – If you can’t lead yourself, you can’t lead others.
There were numerous individuals who were uniquely gifted but did not possess the necessary ingredients on the inside to sustain their success. However, don’t be too quick to pass judgment. There by the grace of God go I. We all possess the capacity to do similar.
Apart from Jesus Christ and His work in a person’s life, it is impossible to achieve the 20 qualities listed above.
So in the future, if someone calls you a “Juicy Lucy Leader”, take it as a compliment. They are impressed with what you have on the inside! Like many though, I could stand to lose about 5-10 more lbs. on the outside. No Juicy Lucys for me!
The Top 75 Leadership Quotes From 2021 Part 2 is my latest ebook. For many entering a post-pandemic environment, leadership looks completely different than the pre-pandemic world. People are more broken now. They are more uncertain. Fear and anxiousness are unwelcome constant companions. Cultures are more unhealthy. Relationships are more dysfunctional. Hope seems to be in short supply. Every day seems to bring a new hacking, natural disaster, or unexpected calamity.
Therefore, the fundamentals of leadership are more important than ever. The quotes in this book deal with the basics of leadership. If you want to be the best leader you can possibly be, click HERE or on the image provided to download this FREE resource. The lessons learned from last year, if applied, will sustain you for years to come.