THE QUALITIES THAT FOLLOWERS DESIRE IN A LEADER
-by Dr. John Tetsola

The mark of a good leader is loyal followers; leadership is nothing without a following.
Proverbs 14:28 MSG

And the LORD said unto Gideon, By the three hundred men that lapped will I save you, and deliver the Midianites into thine hand: and let all the other people go every man unto his place.

And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Arise, get thee down unto the host; for I have delivered it into thine hand.
Judges 7:7, 9 KJV

The more attraction assets you possess, the more attractive you become. What made people want to follow Gideon? What made people buy into his leadership? Or what causes any follower to buy into their leader? Every person has some ability to attract others based on his or her attraction assets. I am not talking about physical attraction. I mean qualities that are desirable in a leader. The greater the attraction assets a person possesses, the more likely people will want to follow them. There are seven of these qualities every follower is attracted to.

• First is calling. Few things are as compelling to followers as a clear calling in the life of a leader. Someone who has received and accepted a calling usually possess vision, passion, energy and commitment. Gideon’s calling was certain. And once he accepted his calling it transformed him. At the beginning, he was a fearful man who doubted himself and asked for multiple signs to confirm his mission. But once he embraced the truth of his calling, he became passionate and bold. With just 300 men, he attacked and overcame an army of 120,000 warriors.

• Second is insight. People respect a leader who possesses keen insight - one who has the wisdom to see the real issue in any situation and can see what is ahead. Scripture says that God gave Gideon insight into the weak hearts of the Midianites before he was to attack their camp (Jdg. 7:10-15). By the time Gideon called his men to battle, he understood that God had assured their victory.

• Third is charisma. People are attracted to leaders who make them feel good about themselves. That in a nutshell is the secret of charisma. When Gideon invited the people of Ephraim to join in the pursuit of the dispersed Midianites, they reacted with anger. But Gideon was able to help them see the significance of their role, having captured and killed the princes of Midian (Jdg. 7:25).

LIVING WHO YOU ARE

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, “The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!”

Then the LORD turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?”
Judges 6:12, 14 NKJV

• Fourth is talent. We don’t know much about Gideon’s natural abilities, but the angel called him a “…mighty man of valor,” and instructed him to “…Go in this might of yours” (Jdg. 6:12, 14, NKJV). More than likely, some of Gideon’s talents were physical strength and courage. Followers are highly attracted to people with talent.

• Fifth is ability. People respond to and love competence. They are naturally attracted to someone who can get things done. Gideon must have known that the people of Ephraim would be the most difficult people to get to buy into his leadership. He started with the people closest to him, with whom he had strong relationships. But he did not attempt to get the Ephraimites on board with him until he had proven his ability. And even then he had to work to get them to accept him as a leader.

• Sixth is communication skills. A leader who cannot communicate his calling and vision will have difficulty getting the people to understand and buy into his leadership. Whenever Gideon spoke to the people they understood and eagerly followed, even when they might have been better off resisting his leadership.

Then Gideon made it into an ephod and set it up in his city, Ophrah. And all Israel played the harlot with it there. It became a snare to Gideon and to his house.
Judges 8:27 NKJV

• Seventh is character. It takes character to win over peoples’ trust. The closer the leader is to the people, the greater the need for character. But it also takes character to keep the people going in the right direction. Gideon started out strong. He stood up when others wouldn’t. He displayed courage in the face of incredible odds. But in the end, a flaw in his character betrayed him and the people. After his victories, Gideon created an idol and erected it in Ophrah (Jdg. 8:27).

Everyone possesses these seven qualities in various degrees. Some come naturally, and others must be fought for. But the number and degree to which a leader possesses these qualities determines the quality and quantity of those who follow him. The greater the diversity of assets, the greater the diversity of followers. The stronger the qualities, the more the followers are attracted to it.