4. People with a servant heart.
Sometimes all you need is a situational leader, someone willing to step up on a temporary basis. Situational leaders arise because of their willingness to serve. They know that even though they may not be the most qualified, they'll lead because, otherwise, needs will not be met. Their motivation is not because they enjoy leadership, but because they know that service pleases the Lord.
Situational leaders usually find the work tiring, and when the project is finished, they don't readily take on another leadership task.
5. People who take initiative.
Non-leaders are content to follow what others plan and rarely take initiative in relationships or tasks. If you see someone who is willing to take initiative to change something or to improve a situation, you have a motivated person who may be a potential leader. Place this person's name on your "undeveloped leaders" list.
Most leaders are not born with automatic leadership skills; they discover their leadership gifts over time. Those who discover their leadership gifts at a later age are usually unaware of their leadership potential. If others tell them they may have the gift of leadership, they may deny such a ridiculous idea, but with a successful leadership project or two, they can be convinced.
6. People who are reliable.
Look for people who have a track record of faithfulness and dependability, those who follow through. Undeveloped leaders are respected by those around them, even though their efforts may be haphazard due to inexperience.
Sometimes undeveloped leaders lack confidence to step forward, but their friends are willing to volunteer them! When my friend Mary and I began attending a new church, we saw an announcement about a meeting for those interested in how the church hires a pastor. Since we wanted to learn more about the church, Mary and I decided to attend the meeting anonymously and slip out later without being seen.
To our dismay, it turned out we were the only ones who attended—along with the senior pastor and chairman of the elder board! During the meeting, the pastor shared his dream of finding a leader to oversee the whole area of service ministries. I listened quietly, but Mary pointed to me and blurted out, "There she is!"
I would have never said anything, but today I am the leader of this ministry because of Mary. And it's my turn to do the same for others—point out new leaders. Finding and developing leaders is a challenging task. But for our ministries to be more effective, it's a task that we all must intentionally pursue.
