The Heart of a Leader: Credibility is King
Do you lead from the heart? Leadership is born deep inside a person long before it manifests on the surface. It concerns itself first with who we are, and then with what we do. It begins in the heart, like a seed growing in the soil. A leader must recognize that he or she serves out of who they are. It begins within, in one’s character. It is vital to assess who we are and what drives us because the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
Leadership is more than a set of skills or a backlog of relevant experiences. It is who you are within. What traits compose a great leader? What does his or her heart look like?
Leaders Possess Good Character
Team leaders have internal excellence and consistency. They are trustworthy beyond corruption, knowing that this quality is of prime importance. Serious character flaws will eventually make a leader ineffective over time.
Two important character traits of a leader are integrity and credibility. Integrity, a quality of great value, is being singular in thought, words, and actions. “Yes” today means “yes” tomorrow and thereafter. According to Stephen Covey, “Integrity includes but goes beyond honesty. Honesty is telling the truth, in other words, conforming our words to reality. Integrity is conforming reality to our words, in other words, keeping promises and fulfilling expectations. This requires an integrated character, a oneness, primarily with self but also with life.”
Without integrity a leader’s tenure is short-lived. By themselves, character and integrity do not accomplish anything. But their absence faults everything. Strength of character is found in the eight qualities below, qualities that a leader should possess:
Purity of heart, mind, and hands
Posture of servanthood
Perseverance
Predictable and sustainable trust
Promises kept and confidences held
Partnership and parenthood
Prayer
Passion for Christ
Leaders must be believable and trustworthy. “Credibility of action is the single most significant determinant of whether a leader will be followed over time,” write Kouzes and Posner.
Credibility is one of the hardest attributes to earn. And it is the most fragile of human qualities. It is earned minute by minute, hour by hour, each week, month, and year. But it can be lost very quickly if not attended to. We are willing to forgive a few minor transgressions, a slip of the tongue, a misspoken word, and a careless act. But there comes a time when enough is enough. And when leaders have used up all their credibility, they will find that it is nearly impossible to earn it back.
What does credibility as a leader look like in your life? Do you intentionally maintain and guard yours with care? The future of your team and organization depends on it. What step can you take today to fortify this component of your life?