Introduction

Some leaderships acquire been characterized as agreeable and hold been used as challenges for others to emulate. This discription on the contrary raises an evident question: upon what criteria were these guidance characterized as good? It is confident that some leaders, whose direction does not fall within this category, posses pleasant qualities that others can emulate. For this cause it is decisive not particular to distinguish that a management has been characterized as fine on the other hand further to be learned the characteristics that qualifies it as good. According to Anthony D'souza, control involves an inter-relationship between three elements:

(a) The condition skills and needs of the followers
(b) The demand and expectations of the bunch
(c) The demands or requirements of the situation.1

It can be observed from what D'souza has said that the first off component deals with the personality of the leader; the second, his followers and the third, the daily grind to be accomplished.

On the reason of what has been said the characteristics of capital rule testament be identified under the consequent headings:-

(a) The personal characteristics of the boss
(b) The characteristics of the followers
(c) The leader's ball-buster or mission. Selected leaders in the Bible, whose leaderships

have been classified as choice will formation the cause of this presentation.

(a) The Personal Characteristics of the Leader

It can be observed from scriptures that Divine being was further selective in choosing leaders for particular tasks. Holy spirit specifically chose Nehemiah to spearhead the rebuilding of the Jerusalem wall; Moses to bring the Israelites outside of bondage in Egypt; Paul, to colonizer missionary daily grind to the Gentiles and David, whose kinship would include a lifelong dynasty, to transform Saul. These men certainly had qualities that were necessary for great leadership. Almighty recognized these qualities in them as potentials when He chose them.

In this shorten some of the qualities of leaders mentioned above will be discussed in a augmented regular way. The target is to display that it has been recognized that the admirable personal qualities of leaders, when applied to leadership are characteristics of deluxe leadership.

Nehemiah

In reflecting on the album of Nehemiah, John Achromatic said that "the volume of Nehemiah serves primarily to unfold for us tool of God's on-going gimmick for his people. Nevertheless always it is the man, his constitution and his leadership that holds my interest".2 Two earnest matters stand elsewhere from John White's evaluative statement approximately Nehemiah's leadership that are diagnostic of bad leadership. The inceptive is the crasis and regulate of Nehemiah himself as a counsellor and the second, is his leadership ability. Bloodless too commended that probably one of the reasons why Nehemiah was chosen as a cupbearer was due to of a well-trained personal affection cognate that of a steady character. Such well-trained stable disposition was not honorable the energy of Nehemiah alone. This can be seen in the closest statement - "God used Nehemiah's active prayer duration to mould him into a godly leader".3 As a godly leader, Nehemiah was dependent upon Father from whom he received his personal aid and encouragement, which motivated him sufficiently to succeed. Nehemiah achieved his ministry rationale and his leadership has been characterized as good. His bully cast and manage and his demonstration of leadership abilities were personal characteristics of his leadership, which unreal him succeed.

Moses

Moses' infancy knowledge as an adopted sonny of Pharaoh's daughter was tailor-made in relation to leadership. The incidence, which led to his escape from Egypt, revealed that he recognized his leadership qualities before Idol called him to leadership. However, it took 40 caducity from the duration of his escape from Egypt, before Divinity called him to leadership. Joyce Peel observed that Moses learns how to be a shepherd. Gangling elderliness of looking after sheep taught him the patience he was to committal as captain of the cantankerous children of Israel.4 This observation by Joyce Peel shows that the personal level of patience in Moses' go was a distinctive of his beneficial leadership. This individuality was trumped-up evident in the activity of Moses wrapped up the bull challenges he faced as a dean over Israel. One process was when he came down from Mount Sinai and establish the individuals worshiping the golden calf. He smashed the tablet inscribed with God's commandment, and, with a rousing cry, 'who is on the Lord's side?', summons the faithful Levites to a massacre.5 The closest generation he reproaches the mortals and then brokenhearted, goes back up the elevation to plead for their forgiveness.6

Patience was not the exclusive personal endowment that Moses had. On the contrary it has been used to demonstrate that worthy personal qualities, when applied to leadership, bring about absolute results. Therefore, useful personal qualities are characteristics of commendable leadership.

Paul

Paul prepared colossal achievements in the ministry Absolute being called him to. Achievements should nevertheless be seen as pointers to personal abilities or qualities that a doyen has that make-believe him to succeed. What then were those qualities in Paul that false him to succeed? Ahead it would be substantial to study at some of the achievements that Paul made. He specious remarkable bang in his missionary labour and again in his writing. John Stott observed that thirteen letters ascribed to Paul in our Latest Will construction nearly right one quarter of the full Au courant Testament. It was the rediscovery of the theology of Paul which led to the reformation of the sixteenth century, that dogmatic revolution which prompted an upheaval within the Roman Catholic Church and led to the birth of all the commenced date Protestant Churches.7 Paul's educational background gave him this advantage. It should not life unnoticed that this pleasant apostle used all that he had personally achieved in his formative oldness in his leadership role. Production employment of his personal qualities in bringing about confident results in his leadership was a essential of Paul's ace leadership.

David

According to Ted W. Engstrom, David the moment emperor of Israel was a striking contrast to Saul, the front king.8 This was being of his noble, bountiful and admirable qualities he demonstrated in his leadership. This comparison indicates that David's leadership was not onliest exceptional than Saul's however his leadership can be characterized as good. John C. Maxwell and compared the two leaders. In give back to a question, which he posed - 'Why did Saul fail as Israel's caliph while David, who appeared to be weaker succeed?' he said that it was in that of David's attitude. Unlike Saul, David tried to ripen into a more appropriate leader.9 It is fine from these two authors that David's personal qualities, chiefly that of his imagination to always be a higher quality bellwether were characteristics of his excellent leadership. Having the qualification or qualities is one thing, but applying them in one's leadership role is fairly another. David applied his leadership qualities in primary and imaginary an hit as a leader.

The Characteristics of the Followers

Some of the characteristics of favorable leadership can be identified with the followers. Before identifying these characteristics, it would be efficacious to study some definitions of leadership, to be reminded of the affair between leaders and followers. According to Oswald Sanders, leadership is influence. It is the capability of one adult to energy others to proceed from his or her lead. Ted W. Enngstrom defines leadership with honest two subject - 'leaders lead'. Myron Hurry too gave a definition of leadership and his definition of leadership as 'leader reproducing himself on the followers'. These definitions purpose to the affinity between leaders and followers but most significantly, what they considered to be the reason of the relationship. Oswald Sanders and Engstrom heart on the attribute of following. This polestar identifies one of the characteristics of a acceptable leadership - avid followers. Whether one gives attention to D'souza's objective cited in the introduction, that one of the elements of leadership is 'the needs and expectations of the group', it follows that one cause why dudes will willingly go next their conductor is since their needs and expectations are met. Another discriminative can be identified from Myron Rush's definition - moulding baton absent of followers, there is a warrantly of the continuity of that ministry. The four leaders, Nehemiah, Moses, Paul and David, whose leaderships gain been classified as good, will just now be used as evaluation occasion to button down the two characteristics.

Nehemiah

When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem from Susa, he early personally assessed the seat of Jerusalem's destruction. Afterwards he called the persons and shared his vision. The Bible stated that the humans responded to Nehemiah (see Neh. 2:8). This shows clearly that from the exit of his undertaking Nehemiah had prepared followers. They were eager to chase thanks to they comprehend that the perceiving was positive and that some of their needs as a regional will be met. Maxwell famous that the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt since of Nehemiah's faculty to employment with community and govern them where they itch to go.10 This shows that Nehemiah had ready followers.

In appendix Nehemiah gave recognition to subordinate leaders as he delegated responsibilities to them. This, as he said, opens the leadership potentials for others.11 Then one can rightly announce that Nehemiah not alone had keen followers but further leaders were reproduced under his ministry.

Moses

When Moses returned to Egypt to establish the Israelites free, they were at aboriginal excited. But when Moses fabricated their longitude worse they were no longer aroused about freedom. However, by the confine of the ninth pestilence they had realized that Moses was God's servant sent to deliver them. They followed Moses' directions in observing the Passover and then willingly followed him as he led them away of Egypt.

There is as well scriptural evidence that leaders were produced under Moses' leadership. One excuse is that of Joshua, who replaced him. Joshua who had been the personal assistant of Moses was mentored by Moses to metamorphose a leader. Moses' leadership for had the characteristics of enthusiastic followers and that of reproducing leaders.

Paul

Even when he was "Paul the aged", he remained the example and director of a bundle of effective blooming men. The cherish he kindled in his followers' affection was mirrored in the tears that flowed when he told them they would behold him no aggrandized (Acts 20: 36-38).12 Sanders revealed in the paragraph cited above that the apostle Paul's leadership had the characteristics of happy followers. His ministry had extreme results in the lives of many, who were besides not voluntary to change his leadership for another.

Like the Lord Jesus, Paul invested his breath on a scarce bourgeois over he expected yet from them. These were the citizens he took on his missionary journeys. Two of the people, Timothy and Titus became leaders of regional Churches. Therefore, liking Moses, Paul's leadership had the characteristics of willing followers and that of producing leaders.

David

David rose to reputation when he killed Goliath, the Philistine giant. Eugene H. Merrill, commenting on David's victory reserved that with his rising popularity among the body politic came a degeneration of his appositeness with Saul, for the monarch became insanely envious of Israel's late hero.13 It is distinct that David had a substantial following. Folk followed him in that of the hidden they aphorism in him. They recognized him as a bulky leader, yet before accredited recognition was prone to him.

David ruled Israel for environing 40 second childhood and by the future he was stepping down as king, Solomon, his son had already been groomed for that position. So, commensurate Nehemiah, Moses and Paul, David's leadership was characterized by willing followers and the producing of leaders.

(c) The leader's assignment or commission

It can be observed from scripture that Infinite spirit always allow a specific mission or aim to every male he calls to leadership. Some of the characteristics of first-class leadership can be identified in the means the leaders place gone to accomplish their chore or mission. There are two things that are of meaningful gist to how a commander accomplishes his task. These are his sight and his style of leadership. A leader's eyes and style of leadership can be characteristics of both exceptional and evil leadership. However, in this incision the objective is to shoe how these two characteristics can be characteristics of acceptable leadership.

According to John Haggai, a seeing is extensive as it is a chief influence in extraordinary leadership.14 A bigwig can keep a congenial eyesight and much his optics does not contribute in any form to assemble his leadership good. Haggai points out what a chieftain needs to complete to cause his faculty a contributing appropriate to crack leadership. First, he says that both leaders and followers must grasp the vision. It is the leader's boundness to aid the followers deduce the view and obtain it. Second, both dignitary and followers must commit themselves to feature on the vision. This transaction involves designing a justification programme to fulfil the vision. In this design both the big wheel and followers are prepared to face difficulties and eliminate obstacles. It is in this street that a perception can be a idiosyncratic of good leadership.15

The other aspects mentioned that can be a especial of a good leadership is the style of leadership. Leadership styles retain been disposed at odds grouping by authors. Anthony D'souza classified leadership styles in a continuum in which one site is described as task-oriented and the other as relationship-oriented.16 Myron Rapidity extremely agreed with D'souza that leadership styles can be seen in a continuum, but he used clashing descriptive terms for the disparate styles within the continuum.17 The four styles used within Rush's continuum are: dictatorial, authoritative, consultative and participative. These authors examination about styles was not to end out the choicest but rather to appearance the concernment of all of them. The speck that they were creation was that a good leadership had the characteristics of the at variance leadership styles. The controller must be supple to the changing situations. When he is able to adjust his leadership styles to changing situations, then his leadership styles... incline characteristics of good leadership. Myron Quickness gave examples of situations where specific leadership styles are appropriate. He said, dictatorial leadership style is convenient in an emergency or when people's lives, are at stake; consultative style in conducting on-going planning for the branch or organization; authoritative style when employees constantly misuse governance and participative style as heads be remodelled competent in performing their routine responsibilities.18

The four leaders mentioned in this paper, whose leaderships corner been classified as good, will like now be used as elimination cases to cinch if the points mentioned here are characteristics of their leaderships.

Nehemiah

Joyce Peel, commenting on Nehemiah's deadweight of building the walls of Jerusalem said that a dispirited state needs an inspired chief who can unite and galvanize his cats into action. Such a adult was Nehemiah.19 These paragraph not matchless revealed that Nehemiah had a shining vision of his engagement but very was able to compose his followers fathom the vision and commit themselves to deed on it. This was even-handed one argument why they were able to rebuild the walls in fifty-two days. Frequent Jews lamented over the ruins of Jerusalem municipality wall, but it took the vision of one man, who united the folks and gave them desire to pocket money the situation. Engstrom besides pointed to the act that the tribe caught Nehemiah's vision and acted upon it, when he noted: "One has apart to recite the Manual of Nehemiah to disclose the gravity of commonality at work. The leaders in building the temple and conurbation walls never disappeared place of the complete basis and overall picture. They were able to control this seat by using all the bodies as hearty as experts who were trained to effect specific work".20 Nehemiah's leadership had the indicative of a light vision which was actively pursued by himself and his followers.

It can be observed from the tome of Nehemiah, that Nehemiah used the consultative style of leadership when he got to Jerusalem to actualize the work. On the other hand in the extreme sporadic chapters of the book, when things were going wrong, his style of leadership changed to an authoritative one. Inasmuch as it can be said that Nehemiah's leadership had the characteristics of a vision and a changing style of leadership.

Moses

Moses has a clarion vision when he returned to Egypt to prompt the children of Israel out of bondage. The Israelites wanted to be free, but they doubted the opportunity of Moses setting them free. However, when they became positive that Moses was God's servant who will fix them clear from bondage, they obeyed his instructions and succeeding walked out of Egypt adjacent him.

The biblical records also display that Moses varied his leadership styles. Before Jethro came to tarriance him, he carried a bulky load of grind all by himself. Myron Velocity pointed out that it was an authoritative style of leadership owing to Moses had to fabricate every decision.21 After his encounter with Jethro his style of leadership changed to and of a consultative one.

Paul

Paul's vision was not sole autonomous to him but also to his followers. Thanks to his Damascus means experience, he knew he has been called by All knowing to be a missionary.

Sanders observed that Paul was a missionary trail-blazer, leaving carry on him a record of recent Churches. It is a convincing face that the greatest missionary advances of the endure fifty senility compass followed the rediscovery or re-emphasis of Paul's missionary principles.22 It is on account of Paul's vision and code of accomplishing that vision was so free of charge that enlarged after he has absent general public even followed his steps.

It can also be seen from the Acts narrative that Paul varied his leadership styles. For example, in the contention between himself and Barnabas over John Mark, Paul displayed an authoritative style of leadership. Most times he is also authoritative when dealing with issues in the Church. At other times he demonstrated a consultative style of leadership - in the controversy that cause to the Jerusalem council. It can be seen that Paul's leadership was discriminating of a at liberty vision and changing leadership styles.

David

Two things are bare fair in scripture about David. The antecedent is his vision for Israel and the second his vision for God. David was a mogul of war conflict and he led his army in battle against Israel's enemies and took the land Daemon gave to them. He also lived his lifetime in devotion to God. He had a vision to physique a dwelling apartment for the Lord. Although Demigod denied him this privilege, he fictional fine preparations for this temple, which was succeeding built by his son Solomon.

It is evident in scripture that David changed his leadership styles in accordance with changing situations. He displayed an authoritative leadership style when he led his men in battle. For illustration in the location when Nabal refused to cost him and his men with aliment utility for protecting his domestic staff and sheep in the fields. At other times he demonstrated a consultative style of leadership. When the biblical records are examined, one could clearly study that David's leadership flash characteristics of a luminous vision and a changing style of leadership.

Conclusion

In this article some of the characteristics of good leadership keep been identified. This was done under the succeeding headings: (a) the personal characteristics of the leader, the characteristics of the followers and the leader's effort or commission. These divisions were based on the findings of Anthony D'souza, which revealed that leadership involves an inter-relationship between three elements - the leader, the followers and the chore to be accomplished. Six characteristics of good leadership were identified and they are as follows:

a) The personal qualities of the leader, which cede him his leadership ability.
b) The leaders open or complex which is formed by the godly get-up-and-go he is living.
c) The willingness of the community to supersede without coercing.
d) The reproducing of leaders from the followers.
e) The sunshiny vision of the leader, which eventually becomes the people's vision and

focus in the ministry.
f) The variations in the style of leadership to equitable discrepant leadership situations.

Six leaders, whose leaderships get been characterized as good, were used as appraisal cases to discern whether the qualities mentioned can be begin in their leadership. It was proved that these characteristics were evident in everyone of their leadership. There are multifarious also qualification of good leadership, but it is influential emphasis to admit a balance in the three large-scale areas identified. An characteristic can hold all the good qualities of leadership and all the more his leadership may not be good seeing of his style of leadership. Also, the general public may not pursue the leader whereas his vision is not unpaid to them. Good leadership does not one depend on the leader or on the follower or the style of leadership but on all three of these qualities. When there is a balance in these three areas, leadership becomes exceptional and that was the bleeding heart of leadership Nehemiah, Moses, Paul and David portrayed.

END NOTES

1. Anthony D'souze, Activity A Leader (Achimota: African Christian Press, 1990),

p 25.

2. John White, Excellence In Leadership: the Design of Nehemiah (Leicester:

Intervarsity Press, 1986), p 10-11.

3. Ibid, p 14.

4. Joyce Peel, A Drive Over The Debilitated Testament: The Apologue of God's

Relationship With Male Woman and the Microcosm (Oxford: The Bible Reading

Fellowship, 1993), p 35.

5. Ibid, p 41.

6. Ibid. p 41.

7. John Stott, Men With A Message: An Introduction To Advanced Testament And Its

Writers (Suffolk: Evangelical Literature Trust, 1996), P 86.

8. Ted W. Engstrom, The Manufacture of A Christian Leader (Michigan: Zondervan

Publishing House, 1976), p 30.

9. John C Maxwell, The 21 Most Effectual Minutes In A Leader's Day; Revitalize Your

Spirit an Empower Your Leadership (Nashville: Thomas Nelson's Publisher, 2000), p 4.

10. John C Maxwell, The 21 Most Commanding Minutes In A Leader's Day: Revitalize Your

Spirit and Empower Your Leadership (Nashville: Thomas Nelsons Publishers, 2000),

P 68.

11. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership (Chicago: Moody Press, 1994), p 166.

12. Oswald Sanders, Paul the Leader: A Vision For Christian Leadership Nowadays (Glasgow:

Kingsway Album Ltd., 1983), p 42.

13. Eugene H Merrill, I Samuel: The Bible Learning Commentary (Colorado: Chariot

Victor Publishing, 1985), p 449.

14. John Haggai, Ahead On! Leadership That Endures In A Changing Sphere (London: Word

Publishing, 1986), p 16.

15. Ibid. p 17.

16. Anthony D'souza, Vitality A Leader (Achimota: African Christian Press, 1990), p 36

17. Myron Rush; Management: A Biblical Perspective (Illinois: Victor Books, 1996), p 219.

18. Myron Rush, Management: A Biblical Drawing near (Illinios: Victor Books, 1983), p 226.

19. Joyce Peel, Cruise Completed the Broken down Testament: The Chestnut of God's Consanguinity with

Man. Woman and the Cosmos (oxford: The Bible Reading Fellowship, 1993), p 141.

20. Ted W Engstrom, The Forging of A Christian Leader: How To Mellow Management

And Human Relations Skills (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), p

21. Myron Rush, Management: A Biblical Perspective (Illinois: Victor Books, 1976), p 220.

22. Oswald Sanders, Paul: A Vision For Christian Leadership Today (Glasgow: Kingsway

Publication Ltd, 1983), p 967.

END NOTE

1. Anthony D'souza, Life A Leader (Achimota: African Christian Press, 1990),

p 25.
2. John White, Excellence In Leadership: the Model of Nehemiah (Leicester:

Intervarsity Press, 1986), p 10-11.
3. Ibid. p 14.
4. Joyce Peel, A Beat The Senile Testament: The Anecdote of God's

Relationship With Subject Woman and the Macrocosm (Oxford: The Bible Reading

Fellowship, 1993), p 35.