What is leadership? That simple question has spawned a legion of answers. If leadership is distilled down to its bare bones, then it is simply a matter of influence—and we all influence someone. 

So, everyone is a leader. This reminds me of a past conversation. Who is a Unitarian? Everyone. Whether you believe something or not—you are a Unitarian.

I would argue, however, that we need a more useful definition of leadership. As I have been in leadership and worked with many others in leadership, I have realized that there is one essential quality of all effective leaders. I have seen this quality in the course of ELO, having organized over 70 events since 2005.  

This quality can be seen in the many people that have gotten on board with the cause of the ELO events to connect, equip and celebrate Christian marketplace leaders. I have seen this quality in great leaders that I have had the privilege of getting to know through organizing events, from John C. Maxwell to Mark Burnett. 

While there are various definitions of leadership and of being a leader, I have seen one essential quality that is a great differentiator between those who truly have an impact and those who don’t. 

It is a fundamental divider in terms of how to see the world, a perspective that clearly separates people.

The one essential quality of an effective leader is the ability to be a “big picture” strategic thinker. What do I mean? In essence, big-picture thinkers have a strategic perspective whereby they can see beyond themselves and their own, often immediate, concerns and be committed to bigger causes.

By contrast, small-picture thinkers will look at activities with a focus on, “what’s in it for me?” and “what will I get out of it—now?” If something doesn’t serve their immediate ends, then why would they bother getting involved?

A big picture thinker, by contrast, will think in terms of the value of being part of the event, of having a presence at the event, of the importance of connecting with other people, the value of making a difference by collectively showing the importance of getting together and making a stand to the broader community with other Christian marketplace leaders.

Big-picture thinkers realize that a collective effort is vital to having an impact on society.    

Big-picture thinkers also realize that simply making the effort to come to an event shows the importance of the event. They are making the effort to come to the event and be part of it. Is a mere physical presence worthwhile? 

Yes, it is.    

Big-picture thinkers think in terms of how they can contribute rather than take, and how they can contribute rather than benefit. In short, they think of how to serve rather than be served. A small-picture thinker will focus on how they can be served and what they can get out of something.

Who are examples of leaders reflecting this definition of leadership? For ELO, fortunately, there is a long list of people who grasp the big picture and support our vision and mission. See our “Who is ELO?” page for the names of these leaders in Canada and around the world.

You can start your journey to being a leader by supporting the ELO Forums coming soon in Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Toronto.

In short, the best definition of leadership is to be a big-picture strategic thinker. There can never be too many good leaders.

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