{"id":483,"date":"2016-06-14T09:38:20","date_gmt":"2016-06-14T01:38:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/?p=483"},"modified":"2016-06-14T10:00:38","modified_gmt":"2016-06-14T02:00:38","slug":"20160425-the-character-of-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/?p=483","title":{"rendered":"20160425 – The Character of Leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"CBMC<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>MONDAY MANNA<\/strong><\/p>\n

April 25, 2016<\/strong><\/p>\n

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THE CHARACTER OF LEADERSHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n

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By Robert J. Tamasy<\/strong><\/p>\n

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What is true leadership? Or to ask the question a different way, what are qualities of a good leader?<\/p>\n

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Countless books and articles that have been written about leaders and leadership. Speakers have made careers traveling from city to city, speaking at dinners, meetings and conferences, offering their opinions about effective leadership. So it would be hard to find a definitive answer on which everyone could agree.<\/p>\n

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We think of good leaders as people skilled at getting things done \u2013 or motivating other people to get things done. There are a variety of leadership styles. Some people are directive, issuing orders to their subordinates. Others excel at delegating authority (as well as responsibility) to their underlings. And still others prefer to be more directly involved, employing a hands-on approach to leading their staff.<\/p>\n

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But whenever we consider individuals who have distinguished themselves from many of their peers, leaders who have proved themselves worthy of being followed, a common denominator seems to emerge: Character. So whether we\u2019re interviewing someone for a top executive position, seeking to fill a middle management role, or even evaluating candidates for elective office \u2013 this being a Presidential election year in the United States \u2013 character should be among the factors we take into account.<\/p>\n

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Of course, here again we could engage in a spirited debate about what comprises \u201ccharacter.\u201d It might be good to consider the time-tested wisdom of the Bible and how it describes effective leaders. As is often the case, the book of Proverbs is an excellent place to start. Here are some examples:<\/p>\n

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Good leaders value wisdom. <\/strong>One benefit of modern technology has been limitless access to information and knowledge. It cannot, however, provide us with wisdom. This can be attained only by seeking to rightly apply what we know. \u201cBy wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures\u201d <\/em>(Proverbs 24:3-4).<\/p>\n

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Good leaders lean heavily on the counsel of trusted advisers. <\/strong>Knowing there are numerous ways of looking at a problem and many possible solutions, a good leader is not too proud to solicit the advice of trusted colleagues before proceeding in matters of critical importance. \u201cPlans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed\u201d <\/em>(Proverbs 15:22). \u201cFor waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers\u201d <\/em>(Proverbs 24:6).<\/p>\n

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Good leaders approach their roles with humility. <\/strong>We live in an age when the loud, brash and outspoken tend to receive the most attention, but there is something strangely appealing about those that do not think too highly of themselves. \u201cWhen pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom\u201d <\/em>(Proverbs 11:2). \u201cHumility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life\u201d <\/em>(Proverbs 22:4). \u201cA man\u2019s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor\u201d <\/em>(Proverbs 29:23).<\/p>\n

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Good leaders speak with discretion.<\/strong> The spoken word can be used to uplift \u2013 or to destroy. Leaders measure their words for best effect. \u201cWhen words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise\u201d <\/em>(Proverbs 10:19). \u201cThe lips of the righteous say what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse\u201d <\/em>(Proverbs 10:32).<\/p>\n

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\u00a9 2016. Robert J. Tamasy is vice president of communications for Leaders Legacy, Inc., a non-profit based in Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A. Bob has written <\/em>Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today\u2019s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; and coauthored with David A. Stoddard, <\/em>The Heart of Mentoring, as well as other books. His biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.<\/em><\/p>\n

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CBMC INTERNATIONAL: <\/strong>\u00a0Jim Firnstahl, President<\/p>\n

2850 N. Swan Road, Suite 160\u2028\u25aa Tucson, Arizona 85712 \u25aa U.S.A.<\/p>\n

TEL.: 520-334-1114 \u25aa E-MAIL: mmanna@cbmcint.org<\/p>\n

Web site: www.cbmcint.org<\/a>\u00a0 Please direct any requests or change of address to: jmarple@cbmcint.org<\/a><\/p>\n

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Reflection\/Discussion Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  1. How would you define \u201ccharacter,\u201d especially as it applies to leadership?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    1. Do you agree that strong character should be a consideration in the selection of leaders, regardless of the sphere in which they are expected to lead? Why or why not?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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      1. What is the state of character among many of the leaders you observe today, whether where you work, in your community, or even those who are celebrated by the media? Do you see many men and women you consider to be of high, strong character?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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        1. Which of the character traits that have been cited from Proverbs stand out in particular for you? Can you think of any other traits that might be equally important?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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          NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more about this subject, consider the following passages:<\/em><\/p>\n

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          Proverbs 1:7, 2:6, 3:13-15, 10:17, 12:6,15,18,23, 13:3, 14:29, 15:4, 19:20, 20:3, 28:20<\/p>\n

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          MM4-25-16Tamasy.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

          MM4-25-16Tamasy.doc<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 MONDAY MANNA April 25, 2016 \u00a0 \u00a0 THE CHARACTER OF LEADERSHIP \u00a0 By Robert J. Tamasy   What is true leadership? Or to ask the question a different way, what are qualities of a good leader?   Countless books and articles that have been written about leaders and leadership. Speakers have made careers traveling…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-483","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-monday-manna"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/483","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=483"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/483\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":493,"href":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/483\/revisions\/493"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=483"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=483"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/kcbmcsingapore.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=483"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}