I think there are two characteristics of leadership that often go unnoticed or neglected before it is too late.  The first is that a good leader is always bringing people up to speed to take over should they leave.  They see bringing up replacements as something essential on day one, not an after-thought memo to smoothly pass the torch at the last possible minute.  This is so difficult because the present needs in the foreground often block out the future needs in the background.

The second is that a good leader does not define his identity and relationship to Christ by what they do and what their role or title is.  What a leader does must be an overflow of their identity that is rooted in their relationship with God, rather than their relationship with God being the result of what they do…I think.  We talk about how people need to discover a deeper level of identity, beyond what they do and into who they are (to be versus to do); so how much more important is it for the leader to not define themselves by their leadership.

A lot of times people who become leaders end up assuming roles and responsibilities that they did not originally sign up for.  I believe there is a difference between leadership, administration, and vision, but in more cases than not, those three areas are rolled up into a mountainous pack that is given to one person to carry.  Often times people who rise to become leaders assume these roles dutifully and effectively, however the problem arrises when they leave.  They’ve etched out this very specific void that only their shape can fill, so that when someone else attempts to take their place, the new person does not exactly fit the specific and detailed void as well.  The solution in my mind is for more people to take ownership of what they believe in and what they want to see done, instead of leaving everything to the leader.  Visionaries can place their ideas on the table for the acceptance of everyone, without the auspicious authority of a leader.  Leaders can focus on developling their replacements and discerning the gifts of others.  Administrators can do what they do best.  Yes it makes it easier, if all these roles can be met by one person, but I’m not convinced that this is optimal.