1. Shepherding without listening to the sheep.

You simply cannot shepherd unless you are listening to the sheep. “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” James 1:19

2. The elevation of “deciding” over “doing” (serving).

Yes, decisions must be made but if you spend more time thinking about your decisions than you do serving among the body then you are already ineffective as a leader. “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

3. Trading transparency for hidden agendas.

If you can’t lay your plans out for all to see then maybe there’s a reason you’re hiding them. “For everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come to the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” John 3:20

4. Arrogance, assuming that you know what’s right more than others.

Good leaders are not threatened by the strengths or ideas of others in the body. Rather, they understand that strong followers make leaders strong. “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” Romans’ 12:1

5. Privilege, seeing leadership as a privileged place rather than an opportunity for humble service. 

Always look for ways to de-elevate your privileges. Take the back of the line, the furthest parking spot and the foot of the table. This will show you aren’t caught up in the honors of leadership. “For you have been given the privilege of serving Christ, not only by believing in him, but also by suffering for him.” Philippians 1:29

6. Downplaying the callings of others in the body while massaging self-importance.

The janitor and the receptionist are just as called by God as the mission director or the senior pastor. Never forget that! “There is one body, but it has many parts. But all its many parts make up one body. It is the same with Christ. We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit. And so we are formed into one body. It didn’t matter whether we were Jews or Gentiles, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink. So the body is not made up of just one part. It has many parts.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

7. Playing fast and loose with truth.

Using or allowing spin, talking points, or alternative narratives to alter perception of reality. Strong leaders see no need to create narratives or perceptions. Rather, they let the truth speak for itself. “All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5:37