Ron Edmondson: Leadership Styles Interview

As part of my leadership styles interview series, I’m happy to now feature Ron Edmondson, who is a pastor, a church planter, and who authors an award-winning leadership blog.

[stextbox id=”custom”]As pastor at Immanuel Baptist Church, Ron is a church leader and the planter of two churches, has a passion for planting churches, but also helps established churches thrive. He enjoys assisting pastors and those in ministry think through leadership, strategy and life. His specialty is organizational leadership, so in addition to his role as a pastor, he consults with church and ministry leaders. He blogs daily on leadership, church and family. (Being the giver that Ron is, he was also kind enough to review my book (Revealed) and provide a written endorsement for it.) Be sure to follow him on Twitter and Facebook.[/stextbox]

Leadership Styles

Each of the top leaders featured in my leadership styles interview series was asked to provide his or her own unique answers to seven specific questions. Ron’s answers are located below. Be sure to leave a comment at the end of this article about which of his answers you found most fascinating…and why.

• How do you personally define leadership?
• In your opinion, what makes a successful leader stand out from the crowd of mediocrity?
• What was the defining moment(s) in your life that caused you to focus on personal development in order to become a more effective leader?
• Which areas of personal growth are your main strengths and which are your weaker ones?
• What habits have you included in your daily routine to strengthen your leadership skills?
• If you could travel back in time and speak with your “younger self, what would you encourage your “younger” self to change, alter or focus on more?
• What advice would you give to someone who wanted to become a more influential leader in their niche or organization?

1) How do you personally define leadership?

Leadership is helping people get to a better reality than is known today.

2) In your opinion, what makes a successful leader stand out from the crowd of mediocrity?

Intentionality, responsiveness, integrity and follow through.

3) What was the defining moment(s) in your life that caused you to focus on personal development in order to become a more effective leader?

At the age of 19, my boss resigned abruptly. I was put in the position by default. It was sink or swim. I scrambled to learn to swim.

4) Which areas of personal growth are your main strengths and which are your weaker ones?

I try I listen. I try to stop to plan and rest. I strive to be in good shape physically, spiritually and mentally. I also try to read a broad range of topics to stay current.

6) If you could travel back in time and speak with your “younger self, what would you encourage your “younger” self to change, alter or focus on more?

Be extremely respectful and appreciative of those who have gone before you, even if you don’t always agree with them. Be unique. Be genuine. Be helpful. Add value to others and the organization and you’ll get noticed.

Now that you’ve finished reading this article, you’re probably wondering what to do next? Allow me to suggest two things:

1. Please leave a brief comment or suggestion below and let me know what you think about this article, whether good, bad or otherwise.
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