The Greatest Need of a Leader

By Doug Franklin October 27, 2010

I believe all leaders need the same two things: wisdom and creativity. Our greatest needs as leaders are contained in these two words. Wisdom allows us to make good decisions in a timely manner. When we make good decisions, people follow us, they think we are experts, and they want to go where we are going. Creativity allows us to see what others can’t. We can see people’s needs and how to meet them; we see what people want and we are able to build programs and services to meet those needs; and we can dream about what has not been done and we can figure out a way to get there. Wisdom and creativity make up the soul of a leader. So how do we get wisdom and creativity? It’s not as hard as you think …

Wisdom is a gift from God. James 1 says, if you lack wisdom ask for it and he will give you wisdom. It’s a freebie! All you have to do is ask and it will be given. One key here is to ask often. Everyday I pray for wisdom. I do miss some days to be honest, but this concept was taught to me in high school and to this day I try and pray everyday for wisdom.

Creativity requires steps of faith. Don’t mix up creativity with risk-taking; there is risk-taking in creativity but they are different. Creativity is acquired through dreaming and taking actions steps.  Some people are naturally creative, but most people don’t have creativity because they think it comes naturally and they assume they don’t have it.  Leaders dream about their world changing. That world might be a church, a youth ministry or a business but leaders see what it could be. Their creativity comes from seeing the world differently even when they don’t see a way to make that happen.  Making it happen requires taking actions or risk-taking. This is why many leaders are not successful their first time. Through preserving they make change happen. Start dreaming about your world changing, and when you have a dream, start taking action steps to reach your goal.