"Qualities and Characteristics of a Community Leader"

Qualities and Characteristics of a Community Leader

The following is a list of desired qualities and characteristics to be considered when naming a new community leader, keeping in mind that nobody is perfect and that a key issue is a capacity and openness for development and growth.

1. Vision and Mission of L’Arche

· Capacity to understand and announce the vision and mission.

· Capacity t o live the vision and mission.

· Love of L’Arche

· Lived experience and knowledge of L’Arche t o do the job and carry the role

· Desire t o live the role as a call from God.

2. Leadership

· Capacity to inspire and lead others to work towards a common goal.

· Capacity to build positive relationships with Community members.

· Capacity to build effective and good working relationships with the Board, government

  and other professionals.

· Capacity to create unity and trust

· Sets clear standards and expectations for others

· Leads by example and models the values of L’Arche

· Exercises authority and with fairness and respect

· Ability to manage and resolve conflicts

· Open to asking for help and can share weaknesses appropriately

3. Skills and Abilities

· Organizational skills

· Delegation skills

· Speaking and animation skills

· Listening skills and ability to dialogue

· Decision making and follow-up

· Preparation of and chairing meetings

· Oral, written and presentation skills

· Computer skills

· Ability to fix priorities

· Management of finances

4. Personal

· Good self care, health and energy

· Commitment to one’s own personal and spiritual growth

· Fidelity to accompaniment

· Humility

· Capacity to keep a balance in life: to find rest, support and nourishment

· Sense of humor