Beyond a Badge or Ballot Box: Three Qualities That Make a Genuine Leader
No one raised their hands. That’s right. When I asked a large group of teens who wanted to step up and lead the team, not one of them was willing. These were college students from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders—but no one wanted to run point.
Later when I asked a few of them why, they echoed the same reason.
Watching established leaders underperform or misguide people left a bad taste in their mouth. One student said, “I haven’t seen a good leader yet, so I don’t know what one looks like.” These young adults recognized the need for good leaders but had no desire to lead. Unfortunately, misconstrued ideas of what leadership looks like have turned many from today’s emerging generation away from the responsibility.
❝I haven’t seen a good leader yet, so I don’t know what one looks like.❞ |
In 2021, the Barna Research Group unveiled a study indicating most respondents from Generation Z don’t trust traditional institutions in government, education, business, and churches primarily because those institutions merely perpetuate the old guard, irrelevant ideas (in their minds) and the biases of Boomers and Gen. Xers. In the last two presidential elections, the top candidates in both major parties were old and unappealing to most young voters—Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden. I mean no disrespect, but these people only offered “tenure” and “titles” they accumulated over the years in the minds of Gen. Z.
🗳️ The Trouble with the Ballot Box
Because we in the U.S. live in a democracy, kids may assume leadership is all about doing whatever it takes to get elected. It’s about accumulating “likes” on social media and swaying enough people to check a box on election day. While I love our democracy, our system can only offer authority to someone. Influence is earned organically. We’ve often failed to give younger generations an accurate idea of what true leadership is about. Leadership doesn’t require a badge and having a badge doesn’t guarantee you’ll be a worthy leader.
When kids don’t want to lead, I’ve found it’s usually because they haven’t witnessed good leadership. Organizations who enjoy healthy, effective leaders usually enjoy a pipeline of leaders in waiting because people are attracted to what works.
❝You attract who you are, not who you want.❞—JOHN MAXWELL |
It takes more than a badge or a ballot to make a leader. But what does it require?
Three Qualities That Prove a Leader Beyond a Badge or Ballot Box
1. Moral.
We rarely hear the term “moral authority.” It’s about our character and courage. Effective leaders possess a moral compass to know what’s right and the gumption to do what’s right. C. S. Lewis wrote about failed leaders in his day, calling them, “men without chests.” They fold under pressure. They compromise their convictions. Good leaders are people of valor who take risks as they choose the right battle to fight and demonstrate resolve to see it through to the end. People tend to follow those with moral authority whether they have a title or not.
Henry Clay desperately sought to become a U.S. president, back in the 19th century. He was advocating for a bill in congress, however, that was unpopular and jeopardized his opportunity. When a friend told him, “Henry, if you support this bill, you will ruin your chances to become president.” Clay questioned, “But do you believe this bill to be right?” When his friend agreed it was, Clay responded, “Well then, I’d rather be right than president.”
2. Capable.
This is about our competence. This person chooses a good goal, knows what it takes to reach it and has the ability to lead their team to do so. They are smart, although they need not be the most intelligent person on the team; they can make good decisions although they need not be the wisest person on the team. Their qualities include seeing the big picture, a sense of equitability for team members and the willingness to make sacrifices on behalf of people. They know the way, go the way, and show the way to others.
Joshua Chamberlain was colonel of the 20th Maine regiment that fought heroically in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Even when his union troops were depleted and out of ammunition, he saw reinforced confederate troops approaching Gettysburg, and led the charge against them to win. This was his reputation: he found a way to win. He was wounded seven times, twice so severely that his obituary was published. Six times, a horse was shot out from under him. His men were willing to follow this schoolteacher-turned-hero anywhere.
3. Personal.
This is about your connection.Younger generations are not looking for someone who’s slick or polished. They want an authentic connection with the leader Over the centuries, “leadership rights” have evolved. Thousands of years ago, people saw it as a divine right, given by God to chosen leaders. Later, it was familial rights when kings passed their monarchy to their children. Next, it was electoral rights when democracies voted for their leader. In the 20th century, the right to lead was about competence, where people followed the gifted leader. Today, while people no doubt value competence, they deeply desire a connection to their leader. They want to feel their leader knows their plight and can be trusted because of that.
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It’s not about badges or ballots.
Authority is given to us by a democratic system, but influence is earned through our moral authority, capability, and relationships with people.