領袖特質

有非常多書都在討論領袖和領袖特質。有許多演說家到各地，利用各種餐會和各種會議，來宣傳他們對有效領導的看法，他們各有不同的看法,很難有明確的答案.

我們通常認為好的領袖要非常會做事，或是鼓勵其他人把事情做好。但領袖有很多種類型，指導型的會下命令給部屬們，有些則會充分授權給部屬，還有其他一些偏好用SOP的方式領導下屬。

無論這個領袖如何與眾不同，他們都會有些特質吸引人想跟隨他，例如: 品格。無論是在面試高階管理階層或是中階管理職務，甚至公職競選候選人時，我都會先考慮到這個人的品格。今年美國的總統大選，品格也應當被列入重要的考慮因素之一。

當然，從屬靈的角度上面來看，關於「品格」大家的觀點都不一樣。或許我們可以參考聖經這本經得起時間考驗的書，看看它是如何描述一個有效率的領袖，聖經的箴言就是一個很好的起點。以下是一些例子：

好的領袖重視智慧 。在資訊爆炸的現代社會，資訊和知識卻不一定能讓我們有智慧，只有正確應用我們知識才能得到智慧。「房屋因智慧建造， 又因聰明立穩；其中因知識充滿各樣美好寶貴的財物。」 (箴言24章3-4節)

好的領袖尋求可靠的建議。 一個好的領袖知道用不同角度看問題，以及解決一個問題會有許多可能的解決方法。他會在做重要決定之前，謙卑尋求可靠人士以及同事的建議。「不先商議，所謀無效； 謀士眾多，所謀乃成。(箴言15章22節) 「你去打仗，要憑智謀； 謀士眾多，人便得勝。」」 (箴言24章6節)

好的領袖用謙卑尋求自己的角色。 我們活在一個需要急切地大聲為自己發聲，才會得到重視的年代，但是有些領袖默默地做事卻格外吸引人。「驕傲來，羞恥也來；謙遜人卻有智慧。」 (箴言11章2節)「敬畏耶和華心存謙卑， 就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。」 (箴言22章4節)「人的高傲必使他卑下； 心裏謙遜的，必得尊榮。」 (箴言29章23節)

好的領袖說話有分辨的智慧 。言語帶有提升或是破壞的能力。好的領袖能明辨狀況講出最適當的話。「義人的嘴能令人喜悅； 惡人的口 說乖謬的話。」 (箴言10章32節)

勞勃．泰默西是領袖資產協會的傳播部副部長，這是一個總部在美國喬治亞州亞特蘭大的非營利組織。

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.

We think of good leaders as people skilled at getting things done – 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.

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”re interviewing someone for a top executive position, seeking to fill a middle management role, or even evaluating candidates for elective office – this being a Presidential election year in the United States – character should be among the factors we take into account.

Of course, here again we could engage in a spirited debate about what comprises “character.” 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:

Good leaders value wisdom. 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. “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures” (Proverbs 24:3-4).

Good leaders lean heavily on the counsel of trusted advisers. 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. “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed” (Proverbs 15:22). “For waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers” (Proverbs 24:6).

Good leaders approach their roles with humility. 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. “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2). “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life” (Proverbs 22:4). “A man”s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor” (Proverbs 29:23).

Good leaders speak with discretion. The spoken word can be used to uplift – or to destroy. Leaders measure their words for best effect. “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Proverbs 10:19). “The lips of the righteous say what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse” (Proverbs 10:32).

© 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 Business At Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; and coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring, as well as other books. His biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.