The long-term success of any organization lies in its ability to raise people up to ever higher levels of responsibility and achievement. That's why the very best leaders are those who identify and raise up other leaders around themselves.

That truth presents an important question: "How can you, as a leader, recognize leadership potential in others?"

A common mistake is simply looking for those who have ability. Have you ever noticed that gifted athletes rarely make good coaches? Nor will the most productive worker necessarily make the best department head.

That's why it's vital to distinguish between the skill of performance and the skill of leading the performance—two entirely different skills. It's also important to determine whether a person is capable of learning leadership.

The key to success is identifying those who are capable of learning leadership over time. Let's examine some biblical keys for doing that.

History Lessons
The best predictor of the future is the past. That's why, when it comes time to look for people in your organization who are ready to be elevated to leadership, one of the key traits to look for is a history of leadership, even in small things.

One wise business owner told me he took note of any worker who said he was a deacon in his church, or a Sunday School teacher. If he or she showed leadership outside of the job, that person would probably exhibit it on the job. As Luke 19:17 tells us, "The person who is faithful in a little thing will be faithful in big things, too."

You must look for potential leaders in those with a history of leading in little things.

Vision Catchers
The founder of Jefferson Standard Insurance built a successful company from scratch. He assembled some of the greatest insurance people by simply asking, "Why don't you come and help me build something great?" When it comes to finding potential leaders in your organization, it is vital to look for those who know how to catch a vision.

When you talk to people about the future, you want their eyes to light up. A person who doesn't feel the thrill of a challenge is not a potential leader.

Repeatedly in the book of Revelation, Jesus said, "Let him who has ears to hear, let him hear." Wise leaders look for prospective leaders among those who have ears to hear the vision.

A Better Way?
Another trait you should look for in a leader is what one prominent executive has called "a constructive spirit of discontent." These are people who tend to see ways in which systems and services can be improved.

Of course, there's a big difference in being constructively discontent and simply being critical. If somebody says, "There's got to be a better way to do this," you can see if there's leadership potential there by asking, "Have you ever thought about what that better way might be?" If he says no, he is being critical, not constructive.

People who are comfortable in the status quo are not leaders. Those who are content with "good enough to get by" will never inspire others to go higher. Look for that "constructive spirit of discontent."

"I'll Handle That!"
One of the most important traits to look for in an up-and-coming leader is a willingness to shoulder responsibility. So many people spend their energies looking for ways to avoid additional responsibility. But a few actually seek it out.

Carrying a little more responsibility doesn't intimidate these go-getters. They've discovered the joy of accomplishment. They've learned that contributing to the success of the team is a reward in itself. Those are the people you want in positions of leadership. They are like the wise and faithful steward Jesus described in one of His parables:

And the Lord said, 'Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions.'
(Luke 12:42-44 NAS)

Find the Diamonds
They're all around you. Diamonds in the rough. They are the people in your organization with the potential to be great leaders just waiting to be discovered and developed.

As we've seen, the highest form of leadership is the kind that duplicates itself. Are you overlooking some potential standouts in your organization simply because you haven't explored God's wisdom for picking winners? Ask God to guide you in your promotions and training, and your organization will be richer for it.

Source: Positioned for Promotion by Mac Hammond
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishing