The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader - Generosity

We continue our learning and growing with the lessons contained in John C. Maxwell’s book titled The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader. This book carries the subtitle: "Becoming the Person Others Will Want to Follow".

Everything rises and falls on leadership. And leadership truly develops from the inside out. If you can become the leader you ought to be on the inside, you will be able to become the leader you want to be on the outside. People will want to follow you.

Quality #9 - Generosity: your candle loses nothing when it lights another.

“No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave." - Calvin Coolidge, American President

Nothing speaks to others more loudly or serves them better than generosity from a leader.

Effective leaders, the kind that people want to follow, don't gather things just for themselves; they do it in order to give to others. Cultivate the quality of generosity. Here's how:

1. Be Grateful for Whatever You Have.
1. Generosity rises out of contentment.
2. Put People First.
   1. The measure of a leader is not the number of people who serve him, but the number of people he serves.
3. Don't Allow the Desire for Possessions to Control You.
1. If you want to be in charge of your heart, don't allow possessions to take charge of you.
4. Regard Money as a Resource.
1. "Money is a wonderful servant but a terrible master. If it gets on top and you get under it, you will become its slave." -  E. Stanley Jones
5. Develop the Habit of Giving.
1. The only way to maintain an attitude of generosity is to make it your habit - your time, attention, money and resources.
2. "Just the very act of letting go of money, or some other treasure, does something within us. It destroys the demon greed." - Richard Foster.
3. If you're enslaved by greed, you cannot lead.

 “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." - John Bunyan, Writer

Bringing It Home:

1. Give something away.
2. Put your money to work.
   1. Put your money to work for something that will outlive you..
3. Find someone to mentor.
1. Once you reach a certain level in your leadership, the most valuable thing you have to give is yourself.
2. Find someone to pour your life into.

Donald G Rosenbarger
Senior Vice President
Delta Companies Inc