As men we are always striving to be greater leaders. In this study we will examine characteristics that make of great leaders and mentors:

1. HE IS A VALUE SHAPER…

Every leader ought to be a “value shaper.” A mentor must first share values and then strive to shape values. In the shaping of values, we are also molding character. In a leader there is no substitute for character. It is important that the person that we are working with first of all have some character (honesty and integrity). Then you can help shape values and character in his life.

2. HE IS AN EDUCATOR, GUIDE AND ADVISOR…

A mentor is an educator in that he is teaching principles and skills. He is also a guide by actually giving “how to” instruction and by following in the progress. He is offering wisdom and advice.

3. HE IS A ONE-MAN SUPPORT GROUP IF NEEDED…

Encouragement — The mentor offers encouragement in every aspect of ministry. He is to be a positive force in the life of the student. He lends support and encouragement in the good times as well as the bad. Often the student needs your positive leadership in a time of failure.

Accountability — A part of the support that is given is helping the student to be accountable. We all need to be accountable to someone, no matter how old or wise we get.

Confrontation — This is often viewed as a bad word, but it does not have to be. Confrontation from a mentor can be done in a positive way and, as the receiver, we must realize that he has our best interests at heart.

Positive motivation — The mentor motivates out of love rather than out of fear. When people are motivated out of love, they usually respond with great enthusiasm.

4. HE IS A DREAMER AND A VISIONARY...

Dreams — The great leader is a great dreamer. The mentor encourages the student to dream great dreams and to believe that they can come true through dedication and hard work.

Vision — The mentor then encourages the student to set goals and work a plan. The working of the plan helps the vision becomes reality. Poor eyes limit how far you can see. Poor vision limits how far you can go.

5. HE MUST HAVE PASSION…

A great leader feels very passionately about his work, and it is that passion that drives him to excel. The mentor must convey this passion to the student. Nothing gets done with the passive approach. Passion increases willpower.

Enthusiasm – Enthusiasm is a part of passion. The mentor must have enthusiasm if he expects the student to. Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm. When the student is around someone that has passion and enthusiasm, he is going to catch it. If he has been touched by it, he will immediately recognize when it is not present.

6. HE MUST BE DISCIPLINED…

The world is full of talented individuals who have not excelled because they don’t have the proper discipline. Likewise, the world is full of less talented individuals who have far surpassed their more talented peers simply because they were disciplined. Discipline is doing the tasks (whether small or large) that you don’t like to do, or that no one else wants to do, and doing them well.

7. HE MUST MANIFEST GENUINE LOVE…

We could call this care, but I prefer to call it love. We must first of all love God. We must then love what we have been called to do. I feel sorry for people who spend all of their life in a profession or a place that they hate. If God called me to do something, I am going to approach it with love. I am going to love (learn to if you have to) the place to which He called me.

Most importantly, we must also love those that we are working with. Charlie “Tremendous” Jones said, “People drive me crazy sometimes, but I work with people because there’s nothing else to work with.”

8. HE MUST BE A PROMOTER OF UNITY…

A mentor must be careful to example a spirit of unity in everything he does. Leaders know that a one-man band doesn’t go very far. We need to be happy to work in the framework of the fellowship that God has provided for us. We realize that “together” we are greater for God. Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

9. PAY ATTENTION!

We must pay attention to people first and foremost. Everyone is important! We must grant attention to priorities. We must give attention to that which is important, not just urgent. Far too often the urgent takes precedence over the important. We must devote attention to being innovative.

10. ATTITUDE IS ALL-IMPORTANT IN LEADERSHIP…

If you are to be a leader, you must possess the right attitude. A leader needs to be able to create a “can do” attitude.

11. RISK TAKING…

Risks are not to be taken just for risk sake alone. But some things will never be accomplished without the willingness to take risks. A mentor must teach that a great leader is willing to take risks.

12. COMMITMENT…

Ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact on their world with commitment. Often the difference between success and failure is not someone being smarter, faster, or better educated, but it very often boils down to commitment. “The leader must have infectious optimism. The final test of a leader is the feeling you have when you leave his presence after a conference. Have you a feeling of uplift and confidence?”

NOTE: This lesson has been used in many settings. I once used this as a small group session and passed out dominos to represent that one man an create a domino effect.