10 signs you are a top 1% leader

Great leadership is defined by how you make your team feel when the pressure is highest.

Pressure reveals what is present in the heart of a leader better than anything else. This list may vary a bit by industry, and different great leaders will excel in different aspects, but even if only a few of these are present, you are well on your way to great leadership.

1. They shield you from the politics. They absorb the executive chaos and only pass down the clarity. You never feel the panic of the boardroom, pressure from elders, congregational complaints, or financial stress unreasonably.

   
   

2. They don’t redo your work. When your work isn’t perfect, they don’t fix it themselves. They ask you the right questions so you can fix it yourself. From sermon writing to public emails or ministry proposals they are able to articulate "how" you need to improve.

   
   

3. They praise you in public, critique in private. You never find out you made a mistake in front of the whole team. Feedback is a private gift, not a public weapon. They have your back because you know they believe in you.

   
   

4. They care about your life outside of work. They actually remember your spouse's name, your dog’s name, and the vacation you took last month. They see you as a whole person with your own dreams, passion, hobbies, and family.

   
   

5. They force you to take PTO. When they see you burning out, they don’t just suggest a break—they mandate it. Then they refuse to email you while you’re on vacation because the recharge is valuable. Work will still be there. Even in ministry, rarely is something so timely that it can't wait a few days or weeks!

   
   

6. They give you the spotlight. When the Lead Pastor or Elder Board or department lead asks about a massive win, they immediately point to you and say, “She drove this entire initiative.”

   
   

7. They ask for your feedback (and actually listen). This is the green flag most miss: They ask, “What is one thing I could do differently to support you better?” And then they actually change their behavior. You see your boss growing, learning, and humble enough to put some (not all) of their team's feedback into action.

   
   

8. They don’t micromanage your hours. They care about your output, not your online status on Slack or Teams. If the work is excellent, they don’t care if you did it at 10 AM or 10 PM. They get ministry doesn't fit into a box. They value a good job description that is clear, and then let you do it!

   
   

9. They talk about your next role. They actively discuss your career path, even if it means you will eventually leave to get promoted. True in every organization, but especially true in Churches, we should be able to see "people" and "kingdom wins."

   
   

10. They make you believe you are capable of more. You leave every 1-on-1 feeling 10 feet tall. They see your potential before you do.

Reflection:

Q. Who on my team can I ask to rate me on these 10? Which ones do I self-identify as strengths? Weaknesses?

Q. If I have a leader who does these, when was the last time I thanked them specifically for the behavior?