The Search for a Leader
Whether you’re hiring someone for your business, voting on your next church staff member, or trying to decide who deserves your vote this fall—each of these choices is part of something bigger.
They’re all part of the search for a leader.
Someone to follow.
Someone to trust.
Someone who makes wise decisions.
Someone with strong character.
We’re all looking for the next great leader.
But do we really know what one looks like?
Maybe this will help—or at least give us a place to start.
What Does a Godly Leader Look Like?
1. He’s tactful in every interaction.
Whether navigating a sensitive situation or stepping onto someone else’s turf, he does so with respect and discernment. He reads the room, understands the moment, and responds with grace and tact—always.
2. He has courage.
Good or bad, he faces the facts head-on. His courage shows not just in bold action but in moral conviction—staying faithful to God’s call, even when it’s unpopular or inconvenient.
3. He’s decisive.
He makes clear decisions and owns the outcomes—good or bad. True leaders take responsibility, not credit.
4. He’s an encourager.
Even in discouraging circumstances, he lifts others up. He gives his team the strength to keep going, helping them believe that what once seemed impossible can actually be done.
5. He’s guided by faith and vision.
A leader understands that faith is vision. There will be times when the path forward is blurry, but faith keeps him steady when sight fails.
6. He values relationships.
He works hard to maintain healthy relationships—never compromising his convictions but always pursuing peace. The ability to build and sustain meaningful friendships often mirrors the ability to lead well.
7. He has confident modesty.
He knows who he is—and who he’s not. Secure in his identity in Christ, he can be honest about both his weaknesses and his strengths. This authenticity creates a sense of equality with those he leads.
8. He practices progressive humility.
True humility grows from a deep sense of gratitude to Jesus. It’s not self-deprecation—it’s recognizing that everything we have is grace.
9. He uses words wisely.
Whether preaching, teaching, or leading a meeting, his words carry care and conviction. He knows how to connect truth to the hearts of those listening.
10. He listens well.
He doesn’t just hear—he understands. He listens deeply, refusing to judge too quickly or jump to conclusions. Real listening cuts through the noise and reveals the heart of the issue.
11. He’s broad-minded.
He sees the bigger picture. Every decision, every problem, every moment is part of a much larger story—and he leads with that awareness.
12. He’s patient.
He knows that leadership by influence requires patience. You can’t rush people into transformation; you walk with them through it.
13. He practices self-discipline.
Self-control keeps him grounded. It guards him from the temptations that can destroy credibility, relationships, and calling.
14. He works with sincerity and integrity.
Whatever task he takes on, he gives it his all—with honesty, excellence, and purpose.
15. He depends on spiritual wisdom.
He seeks God’s wisdom first. That wisdom brings freedom with restraint, passion with perspective, and boldness without recklessness.
16. He burns with zeal.
His energy comes from calling. He’s driven—not by ego, but by conviction—to do what God has placed before him.
These sixteen qualities paint a picture of the kind of leadership our world desperately needs—
and the kind of leaders you and I are called to become.
phillipbrande.com 
A shout out of thanks to John Maxwell, Oswald Sanders, Bill Hybels, and Andy Stanley whose books, conferences and monthly leadership lessons have molded my view of leadership and has trained me in more ways than I realize.
Finding a good leader is quite hard if the respective person is not responsible, open-minded, determined to reach the proposed goals, capable of knowing how to motivate others.
I’ve learned about this subject at a Toronto leadership training course, which was held last year.