New! 21 Tests of Effective Leadership

Introduction

Every person with the potential for leadership—and that is everyone—will face a series of tests. None are exempt. I know. I have faced test after test after test in life during the past 40 plus years in both the business world and in the Church world. And it did not stop there. My marriage has been tested, my family has been tested, relationships have been tested, my security has been tested, my reputation has been tested, and our finances have been tested. In fact, I have faced so many tests that a few years ago I started to compile them into a list, and as a result you have this book of 21 tests in your hands! But before I go on, allow me to give you some good news up front. God does not set up this “leadership training course” for us to fail! You will, however, continue to face the same tests again and again and again until you pass them.

Life is filled with all kinds of tests: Driver’s tests, pop quizzes, exams, and midterm tests in school. We get our blood pressure tested and our eyes tested. Every product we purchase has been thoroughly tested to be sure it will stand up under pressure.

I am writing the introduction to this book from the seat of United Airlines flight 681, flying to the West Coast of the USA. I am certainly relieved this airplane has gone through a safety test before it took off from the Chicago Airport a few hours ago. Imagine boarding a plane that has not been tested for safety. It would be ludicrous to trust such a plane. In the airline industry, everything is methodically tested. The pilots have been tested during years of prior training. The flight attendants were also trained and tested. Even every passenger was examined (tested) before boarding this plane to be sure they did not bring a weapon on board.

All of us will be tested so we can stand in the heat of the battles we will face. The greater our call to leadership, the greater the tests we will face. The Bible is filled with examples of those who were tested and then went on to become phenomenal leaders—some leading God’s people and others providing leadership to whole nations. From Daniel to Joseph to Moses to Deborah to Jesus, we see those who led with endurance and strength, but they all faced great tests.

In the Bible we read, "When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing" (James 1:2-4).

There is a great need for leaders today who have been willing to be examined by the tests of life so they will endure during difficult times. Our God allows tests in our lives to prepare us for our future roles of leadership. If we lack anything today in the world we live in, it is secure, mature, and consistent leaders who have been willing to be tested. We don’t need more positions filled. We need leaders in all walks of life who will lead in humility and strength. This type of leader can only be developed by embracing, enduring, and passing the tests they will face.

My life has been a series of tests. I have faced the test of insecurity many times. I have been tested with the test of perseverance so many times I have lost count. I just wanted to quit innumerable times! I have experienced the tests of my calling, the humility test, the teamwork test, the releasing test, the priorities test, the transition test, the criticism test, the conflict test, the test of unmet expectations, the test of timing…the list goes on and on.

So then, I invite you to join me on my journey as I open my life to you and share with you 21 tests that I have faced personally. I added dozens of stories of others who have faced these same tests and how they eventually passed. My guess is that you will also need to embrace these same tests as God prepares you for your present and future role of leadership. It really helps to know what the tests may look like before we take them so we can be prepared for them when they come.

And for the record’s sake, I am still facing these and other tests so I can be the leader God has called me to be. This list of 21 tests is by no means exhaustive. But I can promise you that if you will embrace these 21 tests and allow the Lord to develop your attitude, your character, and your abilities, you will be prepared for the leadership He has for you.

Larry Kreider