There are two types of leaders.
Some leaders, when things go well, take the credit for themselves. But when things do not go well, they blame others. On the other hand, other leaders say, “When things go well, it is because our members contributed. When things do not go well, I need to look at myself first.”
Looking at these two characteristics, a great leader has will and humility at the same time. Jim Collins describes this combination as a key characteristic of great leadership. The will means continuing without giving up or changing direction easily. At the same time, humility means recognizing and acknowledging when others have contributed and done well.
Some people become jealous when others succeed. Why is that? Especially for people who do not like to lose to others, this tendency can be strong. In some sense, everyone has this tendency. But when it becomes too prominent, it leaves a bad impression. We should not allow ourselves to go that far.
Everyone has a position and a function that has been given to them. It may sound a little childish, but not everyone can be a university president. Sometimes this becomes a source of conflict simply because there is only one position and many people may want it.
There is nothing wrong with being a professor for one’s entire career. I also once had the desire to become a professor. But things turned out differently because I continued to pursue the vision of establishing a university. Instead of being jealous of someone who is doing better than me, I can simply accept that he or she is living a different life and fulfilling a different calling.
Another characteristic of leadership is that people who continue doing something for a long time can become stubborn or even obsessive. Sometimes this is necessary. Without a certain degree of persistence, difficult work cannot be completed. In fact, I think many people who have accomplished great things belong to this category.
However, persistence can also become a weakness. If we are not careful, determination can turn into stubbornness, and conviction can turn into an unwillingness to listen. We may hurt people in the process. Therefore, persistence must be accompanied by humility.
In any ministry, skill alone is not enough for the long term. It is certainly better to have skill than not to have it, but skill is only one part of leadership. The more we are educated and experienced, the easier it can be to fall into the temptation of thinking that we know better than others.
Therefore, we must continually learn to make concessions and negotiate while maintaining our convictions. We must also learn to control our temper and sometimes even “die to ourselves.” In this sense, Jesus gave us the ultimate example when He prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done.”
We somehow become leaders. Sometimes we choose it, and sometimes circumstances place us in that position. But once we become leaders, whether we are willing or not, we must carry our share of responsibility.
Leadership is not only having the will to move forward. It is also having the humility to recognize others, the wisdom to control ourselves, and the courage to carry our responsibility to the end.