One of the greatest and most inspiring books on leadership that I ever read, was titled,
'LEADERSHIP - Influence That Inspires', by Charles Swindoll.
What follows, are the four negative and the four positive characteristics from that book.



~~The Job Hunt~~


Negative Characteristics -
Characteristics which MUST be omitted for GOOD leadership.


DECEPTION - Not double-tongued, guilty of a hidden agenda or improper motives. A good leader's teaching and actions MUST square with each other. Absolute honesty and sincerity. (Deception creates Suspicion)

FLATTERY - Fence-sitting, by hedging with the truth and attempting to keep peace at any price. The leader seeking or giving flattery, forfeits the right to lead and becomes, as a consequence, a follower who still tries to call himself a leader. There is a definite line between being a leader who gets along well with people, and being one who must please people.

GREED - Not simply the longing to get more, but the passion to possess more than one ought to possess. Greed can be hidden, masked from the public view. Yet the one who examines hearts knows the whole truth. Greed has three facets:
AUTHORITARIANISM -Those people exhibiting this quality frequently throw their weight around and expect kid glove treatment. They use their leadership status to Lord it over, to take advantage of those they lead, thinking their prima-donna style comes with the territory they now possess. Refusing to assert authority. . . even though you have every right to do so.



Positive Characteristics -
Characteristics which are ESSENTIAL for GOOD leadership.


SENSITIVITY to NEEDS -A gentle and tender approach, keenly attuned to others. Good leaders sense the scene, they get the picture, they read between the lines. Having done so, they operate from that sensitive vantage point which weaves wisdom and understanding. There MUST be insight and perception.

AFFECTION for PEOPLE -Having such characteristics as love and warm affectionate relationship for and with the people the individual is leading. (See also Authenticity of Life)

AUTHENTICITY of LIFE -Demonstrated affection for people. Requiring a measure of transparency, not just handing out truth by words, but with authentic reality - - Your Own Life. Behaving upright and blameless, practicing what you preach. Making yourself approachable, accessible, someone the people can get next to. Strong and competent, but nevertheless, 100 percent human and real.

ENTHUSIASTIC in AFFIRMATION -Not oppressive and relentless harassment, but rather reassuring encouragement . . . the 'You Can Do It', 'Hang In There', confidence of a dad with his children. Helping others to believe in themselves, to do their very best by exhorting, encouraging and imploring, NOT condemning or attacking them.

~~My Resume~~