1. A purpose—Leaders realize that without a purpose you’re not leading: you’re wandering.
2. A love for people—The people are the task. You can’t lead things; you lead people to accomplish things.
3. An ability to speak optimistically and think pessimistically—Leaders must be able to see what has to change, but communicate it in a way that inspires instead of berates.
4. Repetition—Leaders know that vision is like a steam engine: it constantly needs a water source to keep moving.
5. A mentor’s mentality—Leaders find joy in seeing people mature and learn to use their skills.
6. Integrity that begins in the heart—Leaders understand that what’s inside you always reveals itself in time.
7. Accountability—Leaders have people who can tell them the truth and ask the hard questions.
8. A plan—Leaders know a dream without a plan is just wishful thinking. Leaders dream big, assess the challenges, and develop strategy to make the dream come true.
9. Smart people—Wise leaders realize the areas in which they aren’t so smart and actively seek people who are smarter in those areas.
10. A tolerance of change—Leadership always involves change; if you want to be estranged from change be a happy manager instead of a frustrated leader.
11. Perseverance—A leader will face unexpected challenges, criticism, setbacks, pain, and doubt, but leaders persevere when others quit.
12. Humility—Pride is a ride that leads to destruction. Great leaders realize that they have been deeply blessed and are willing to give of themselves to help others.

Lash Banks is Lead Pastor at Murphy Road Baptist Church (murphychurch.com).  Weekly podcasts are available at http://www.buzzsprout.com/17504