In our working at developing student leaders it is easy to fall into a trap of thinking all leaders are out-going up front personalities. Or, we may be looking for or just developing leaders that have the same personality that we do (That's a scary thought!).
It is my experience that there really are three different types of student leaders. And, there is a place and need for all of them. We must recognize and affirm that so that our students can realize that leaders do not all look just alike. We also have to work differently with the different types.
The Three Leadership Types Are:
1. The Personality Leader
This is the obvious and the one most think of when they picture a leader. He or she draws people to themselves by who they are. People want to be with them and follow them. This person is at ease in front of a group and just seems to know what to do. The danger in this personality type is that they sometimes do not develop to their full potential or do the preparation necessary to be the best leader. It sometimes has come too easily to them. Your task with them may be to challenge them to stretch and strain to the next level.
2. The Manager Leader
This person does not lead through the attraction of their personality. Rather, they lead through organization and some times meticulous preparation. They usually love their "to-do list". They are task type people. Tell them what needs doing and let them organize it. The weakness in this style is that sometimes others find them too demanding or "not fun". They are all about being serious. Their public speaking will tend to be more informative than inspiring. Your task with them will likely be to help them loosen up just a bit and even cut others just a bit of slack.
3. The Servant Leader
They usually certainly do not see themselves as a leader and often have to be encouraged to accept a true leadership role. Often, being up front is the last thing they want to do. However, the respect for them is usually out the roof. They work hard and even do the jobs no one else wants to do. People see who they are and it challenges them to do more. Your job with them is to help them see their role as a leader and put them in places that allow them to shine and influence others.
It is important you discern and acknowledge your own leadership style (as to strengths and weaknesses) and understand that will affect the type of leaders drawn to you and the type you need to recruit. You you are the Personality Leader, you desperately need some Manager Leaders and Servant Leaders. If there are only Personality Leaders, a crowd can get all whipped up about doing something, but how no clue or plan how to do it. And, that fired up feeling will soon pass. If you are the Servant Leader, you will need those who will draw students to your group or else you will find your ministry being small and limited to only what you can do by yourself.
As you read the Gospels, it is very clear that the twelve disciples were all different. If there were only one style of leadership that is effective and needed, surely Jesus would have chosen that style on which to base the future of the Christian church.
AN EXCERPT FROM "26 Tips from Developing College Ministry Leaders"....an Amazon eBook by Arliss Dickerson
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