Critical Traits of Great Leaders

2 Chronicles 11:11

And he fortified the strong holds, and put captains in them, and store of victual, and of oil and wine.

Leadership can be taught, but leadership taught does not make leaders; great leaders rise to lead in times of need when others do nothing. These people who rise to lead do so because they work on being right and serving others when they are not a leader. Many want to be appointed to leadership, but appointed leaders are most often self-serving leaders. The greatest leaders are those who are discovered as they do what is needed in those great times of need.

Rehoboam made a tragic mistake at the beginning of his reign because he was appointed to the throne. However, to his credit, he corrected the wrongs he made and became a good leader for Judah. There were some critical traits he exhibited that you will find in every great leader. Let me share the critical traits needed to be a great leader.

First, Rehoboam fortified the strongholds. In other words, he did not allow what was strong to become weak. Great leaders always know what made their church, business, or organization strong, and they will keep those things strong. Nothing stays strong on accident, but they stay strong on purpose. A great leader knows how to consistently move from one thing to the next to make sure the strongholds stay strong. For instance, you can't give your attention to everything all the time. As a pastor, I have to emphasize soul winning at times, then I must emphasize giving, then I must emphasize reading God’s Word and praying, and so on. By rotating the emphasis of these things that are strong in our church, I am fortifying the strongholds. Great leaders know the importance of working on every strength regularly to keep the strengths strong.

Second, he strengthened the weaknesses. Strongholds will become weak if you don't identify your weaknesses and strengthen them. You can work on your strengths to keep them strong, but if you don't work on your weaknesses, the weaknesses will eventually cause the strengths to crumble. Know your strengths, but also know your weaknesses and work on both to keep the strengths strong and to strengthen the weaknesses.

Third, he stored the victuals. Great leaders will always be a person of God’s Word. You would be surprised how many great leaders spend time reading God’s Word. God’s Word is the source of wisdom and knowledge, and if you want the wisdom and knowledge to lead, you would be wise to have a personal walk with God in His Word and pray daily.

Fourth, he stored the oil. The oil is a type of the Holy Spirit. Every leader should be filled with the Holy Spirit. Yes, the preacher needs the Holy Spirit’s fulness, but so does every person. The Holy Spirit is for every believer, and He will guide you into all truth if you are filled with His power. You can become a better business person or parent if you are filled with the Holy Spirit’s power.

Fifth, he stored the wine. Wine is a type of a joyful spirit. Great leaders will be joyful. Your spirit and disposition do matter to your ability to lead. You will be a better leader if you keep a joyful spirit. If you don't have this type of a spirit, work on your spirit until you are a person who exhibits a joyful spirit. People will want to follow you if you are a person of a joyful spirit and spread that joy to others.