Five characteristics of a public leader What are the things that mark out public leaders?

Mr. Nason Uti SE

Mr. Nason Uti Spokers the lives and actions of public leaders show us what can happen when Christians are intentional about developing their leadership and becoming voices for good outside church walls. The stories of men and women who are speaking out where it matters and bringing leadership to society give hope and inspiration for what can be achieved as more people become public leaders.

Whether in politics, media, education, business or the arts, whether leading grassroots campaigns or speaking in the national media, public leaders are ordinary people who God is using. They are people like you who are committed to being a voice for good.

1. Public leaders serve

Public leaders serve with compassion. They see the need around them, in the neighbourhoods they live, in the communities they work, in the wider country, and they commit to servant leadership. This is not a power hungry sort of leadership but a form of civic duty driven by compassion. Where public leaders see need, where they see hurt, where they see suffering, their hearts are stirred with compassion and they are compelled to serve and lead.

2. Public leaders listen

Public leaders take time to listen and hear what is needed. They take time to ask questions about their community to find out what is needed. This also means listening to the needs of those who provide services such as local authorities  and asking what they can do to help. They listen with understanding, hear about the challenges people are facing and then respond to the needs. They also listen to God, asking him what his hopes and plans are and what he would like changed.

3. Public leaders learn

Public leaders learn with humility. They know they don’t have all the answers, that’s why they listen to others who have the experience and knowledge they lack. They learn from people who have gone before them, and from those at the chalk face. Public leaders also learn from their mistakes. They know that everything won’t go right all at once, and that practice makes perfect. With humility they step out, speak up and take action, always prepared to learn from what doesn’t work and find out what might work better in the future.

4. Public leaders speak

Public leaders speak with authority. They know that they have authority to speak in situations where leadership is needed. They have this authority because they serve, listen and learn, but above all they have it because they know that they are under authority. Public leaders know that they serve under the authority of God and are committed to speaking with that authority into all areas of society.

5. Public leaders act

Public leaders act with responsibility. If something needs to happen, they will act. Public leaders refuse to give in to the idea that it is always someone else’s problem. When they see communities in crisis, or neighbours in need, they take it upon themselves to do something about it. When they see trust eroded in public life they commit to working with integrity to show what leadership can achieve  they act when others might walk away.