Leaders and Character

I came across some great thoughts on Leadership from Andy Stanley. An excerpt from his book Next Generation Leader was in the Catalyst Groupzine I am reading. Enjoy.

Character is not essential to leadership...But character is what makes
you a leader worth following. Integrity is not necessary if your
aspirations as a leader end with simply persuading people to follow
you. But if at the end of the day your intent is for those who follow
to respect you, integrity is a must. Your accomplishments as a leader
will amke your name known. Your character will determine what people
associate with your name.

Having character does not make you (or me) a good leader. Being a good leader does not require you to have good character. We've all had teachers, bosses, mentors who could gather a following, but people did not respect because of serious character flaws. And we've all had teachers, coaches and bosses who might not have been the best leaders but we would go to wall for them because of their integrity and honesty. So what type of leader are you?

I came across a blog that had an update on the Ted Haggard story. He is the Christian leader whose sexual indescretions were made public and he was publicly removed from his leadership role. It relates because his character cracked while his leadership skills did not. The church has done the right thing and it has also facilitated his communication with the church. Read this entry on the Haggards. In the entry you read a letter Ted Haggard wrote to the congregation and one that his wife wrote as well. Here are my reactions to his letter.

1. He betrayed his wife, his family, his church and God. Not that I don't. His sin was simply an act of betrayal.
2. He said what he did. I like that. He calls his actions for what they are and nothing less. How freeing (in a sense) that must feel, to have no secrets.
3. He owned his sin. He did not blame anyone or deny its degree. He took all responsibility for its cause and effect.
4. He took the consequences. He did not say he COULD not longer lead (he's a born leader), he said he WOULD no longer lead, he is not a leader worth following. There are consequences to actions and he in a sense leads the way (in a way worth following) of stepping down from formal leadership. How ironic.