Many folks think of a great leader as a charismatic person with a strong history of leadership, and probably a great education. That’s not always the case.

The Harvard Business Review highlighted a study of seventeen thousand CEOs, looking for the top common behaviors or characteristics of effective leaders. You may be surprised at their finding.

The top quality of effective CEOs in this study is DECISIVENESS. These leaders have learned that waiting until they have all the information in hand may mean they miss the window of opportunity before them.

Leadership expert John Maxwell has written extensively on the area of timing, a key element of being decisive. In his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, Maxwell spends a whole chapter on “timing.” Here are the components he includes as key to being decisive in a timely way:

“…understanding, maturity, confidence, decisiveness, experience, intuition, and preparation. You must have the knowledge, intuition, and maturity to know when a decision is correct, the confidence and decisiveness to act with intention, and the experience and preparation to back you up.”

Another key to being an effective leader is ADAPTABILITY. An effective leader adjusts proactively to changing circumstances. That is especially true in our fast-changing, volatile media world. By the way, that trait is not passive. It is active course correction.

Paul, writing to Roman Christians, said we must be ready to “adapt” from the world’s way to God’s way, which is often dramatically different.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

Romans 12:2 NLT

One other characteristic of an effective CEO or leader is RELIABILITY. This is the trait that builds trust…with staff, donors, boards, and those impacted by the organization or ministry. And when a crisis comes, it is not so much bold leadership that makes the difference. It is steady leadership that builds confidence and sustains an organization.

The Bible has much to say about effective leadership. Jesus taught His disciples how to be godly leaders through His actions as well as His words. And Paul underscored key leadership traits succinctly:

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 NLT

What kind of leader are you? Where can you improve your effectiveness? What do you need to do to adjust your leadership to the Lord’s way?

Lead on…for our Lord’s glory and His purpose.

God’s best,