Leader Identity (Part 2): Defining and Living Your Leadership Identity

Welcome to Equipped for Purpose. I'm your host, Vincent Rain, and this is the podcast

where discipleship meets impactful leadership. Whether you're new to faith or a seasoned

follower of Christ, this podcast is designed to help you deepen your relationship with

Jesus, grow as a leader, and make a difference in every area of your life. Together we'll

explore practical tools, biblical insights, and real-life strategies to equip you for

the purpose God has called you to. Let's dive in.

Welcome back for another episode of Equipped for Purpose. Today we are continuing to look at

leader identity. This is the first section underneath the heading of Discovering

Distinctiveness. In episode 83, we broke down what Discovering Distinctiveness is

and where we are going with the leadership portion of this podcast over the coming year.

So if you missed that, you can go back and check that out.

In episode 85, we discussed who slash what defined you or defining your source. If you

haven't listened to that episode yet, I recommend that you pause this episode and go listen to that

first because it is the first part of this significant discussion. In that episode,

we got into the specifics of who slash what defines you by looking at hindrances to leader

identity, perfectionism and imposter syndrome, defining your source, looking at faith,

personal values, or internal convictions, and external influences. We looked at significance

of alignment, how you get there, and contrasting sources. In addition, we discussed the six reasons

why understanding leader identity is significant because it serves as the foundation for effective,

consistent, and authentic leadership. In this episode, we are continuing to discuss

leader identity by looking at what is the definition and what it looks like in practice.

I know that there is an obvious question floated around after discussing the source of identity

definition, which is what does a leader's identity entail? What are the things that make up the bulk

of this definition? As I've stated before with a lot of the discussion we have here, there are many

answers. However, what I'm attempting to provide for you is a foundation to build from. I desire

that you have a starting point to begin your prayerful conversations with the Holy Spirit,

as well as with someone you trust to help guide you. There are four components that

I believe offer a firm foundation for your identity as a leader, and the first is character.

Character by definition refers to this set of moral and ethical qualities that define a person

and guide their actions, behaviors, and decisions. It encompasses attributes such as integrity,

honesty, accountability, empathy, humility, and resilience. To be someone of good character,

especially as a leader and a disciple, involves consistently aligning one's

actions with ethical principles and moral values. Here are some practical aspects.

Accountability. This is about taking responsibility for your actions and decisions.

Own your mistakes, seek to correct them, and learn from them. Encourage feedback from others to

grow as both a leader and a disciple. Empathy. This is the ability to understand and share the

feelings of others. Empathy is showing genuine care and concern for others' well-being. As a leader,

listen actively to your people, and as a disciple, extend compassion to those around you.

Humility. This is a modest view of one's own importance.

Humility recognizes that leadership is about serving others, and not about personal gain.

As a disciple, follow Jesus' example of humility and servitude.

Then there's resilience. Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and

stay steadfast in the face of challenges. As a leader, inspire your people to persevere,

and as a disciple, trust in God's plan even during tough times.

And finally, there's respect. Respect is showing consideration and valuing others. Treat others

with dignity, and honor their perspectives. Create an inclusive environment as a leader and

as a disciple, and honor God by respecting His creation. Being of good character as a leader

and a disciple means embodying these qualities and influencing others positively through

consistent ethical behavior and a strong moral compass. It involves ongoing self-reflection

and growth to ensure that your actions uplift and inspire those you lead and serve.

The second component is integrity. Integrity by definition is the quality of being honest and

having strong moral principles that you refuse to change. It involves doing the right thing,

even when no one's watching. Integrity has a few components of its own. The first is consistency,

which is maintaining honesty and ethics in all situations, whether in public or private.

As a leader, you set an example by adhering to your values consistently.

And the second is trustworthiness. Here you're building trust with your people

by being dependable and keeping your promises. And the third is courage, and this is standing

by your principles, even when it's difficult or unpopular. Integrity is one of those values that

I personally hold dear and always have. I have talked previously about putting action to values,

otherwise they're just fancy words. To put purpose into practice is more than just a set of values.

It's a blueprint for action, a guide to living out your mission with intentionality and integrity.

These principles bridge the gap between what you believe and what you do, ensuring that

every step you take aligns with your calling. Grounded in a commitment, your fundamental

values transform ideals into impactful realities, fostering growth and meaningful change in every

area of life. With putting purpose into practice, here's how I look at integrity.

We are unwavering in our commitment to doing what is right, guided by our mission to equip,

develop, and empower others through authentic discipleship and leadership.

In every action and decision, we prioritize truth and transparency, knowing that our integrity

shapes our ability to lead with purpose. We hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards,

always speaking truthfully and being impeccable with our word, even when no one is watching.

Our actions reflect our deep commitment to living out our values in every aspect of life.

So that's how I view integrity. Now the third component is vision. Vision by

definition is the ability to think about or plan the future with imagination or wisdom. It involves

having a clear and compelling picture of what the future should look like. When you are visioning

as a leader, you are providing first clarity. You are clearly articulating a future goal that sets

direction that inspires and motivates others. Secondly, when you're visioning, you are thinking

strategically. Strategic thinking is about developing strategies to achieve the vision and

anticipate potential challenges. You can think of this as the roadmap that will be used to

get you to the destination set in your vision. A map has many routes, one that is preferred,

but allows for other possibilities if obstacles arise that necessitate a change.

The third part of vision is inspiration. You are inspiring others to see the possibilities

and work together toward achieving a shared vision. And finally, the fourth component is mission.

Mission by definition is a formal summary of the aims and values of an organization,

organization, individual, or group. A mission defines the purpose and primary objectives that

guide decision making. If we think practically about mission, we're thinking of purpose, alignment,

and motivation. Purpose means there is a clearly communicated and understood purpose for the

direction you're going, thereby giving meaning to the work. Alignment simply means that actions

and decisions align with the mission, ensuring consistency and focus. A mission can be used

as a motivational tool to keep yourself and others driven and committed to the overarching goals.

As I already stated, this isn't a complete list, but by understanding and embodying these components,

character, integrity, vision, and mission, you'll establish a strong foundation for your identity.

These elements will help you inspire trust, guide your people effectively, and maintain your focus

on achieving long-term objectives. Now I want to take a minute to discuss roles versus identity.

This is an easy thing to get confused about because I'm sure you've done this before,

just like I have. I spent 20 years in the Army, and it was very easy to get wrapped up in that

role as a soldier and start to confuse that with my identity. After retiring, I started in a role

leading within a church. I also hold the role of husband, father, and grandfather. None of those

make up my identity, but are roles that I carry my identity into. Think for a moment about

the roles you have held in your life. Have you ever seen those as who you are?

It's an easy thing to do because often one of the first questions I get asked by people is,

what do you do? How would you answer that question? When you do, there is an immediate

association with identity, anti-perception of the person that works within that profession.

If you look at the foundational components of identity that we just discussed,

character, integrity, vision, and mission, you don't see anything in there about roles.

You will, however, see that you will carry those components and attributes of each into

whatever role you accept. Disciple, disciple maker, or leading anywhere, you need to know

your identity, going in or risk grabbing hold of one that is defined for you,

defined for you by a source you likely don't align with. It is crucial that you understand

the difference between filling a role and your defined identity. You are going to take on many

roles in your life, and you should understand how they fit with your mission and the Great

Commission. However, know that your identity is not defined by a role. You set the tone for

how a role is fulfilled by the identity that is already defined and you are carrying in.

Why take the time to know this definition? Well, I think that is pretty clear simply by looking at

roles versus identity. Yes, there are some foundational components, but you are going

to need to have a conversation with the Holy Spirit. Like all aspects of discipleship and

leadership, this isn't a one-time conversation where you get the answer recorded, check the box,

and never look back. This is a conversation that will happen over and over as you grow and transform

to be more like Christ. Knowing who you are and what you carry into a role is significant.

Why take the time to know the definition of your identity? Because you will be able to lead from a

place of clarity and confidence. Your role as a leader in whatever capacity carries tremendous

responsibility that ought to be taken seriously. A couple of questions to consider here is,

how would you articulate your leadership identity in one sentence?

And how do your core beliefs shape the way you lead? Okay, let's switch gears from

the definition to putting the definition into practice. We talked about some of the

foundations of defining identity, but how does identity inform your actions, your

behaviors, and your choices? This question is directly related to character, integrity,

vision, and mission. When you look at what makes up your identity, there's going to be a correlation

to your actions. Your character formed by your identity dictates actions rooted in moral and

ethical standards. When you have a strong identity characterized by humility, empathy,

and courage, you will take actions that reflect these traits. For instance, in a crisis, a leader

with integrity and compassion will prioritize the well-being of their team while addressing

the issue head on. Integrity as a key component of your identity informs actions that are honest,

transparent, and aligned with ethical standards. Leaders known for their integrity act consistently

ensuring that what they say aligns with what they do. Your identity is closely tied to your vision

for the future. Actions you take are directed toward realizing that vision. This might include

setting clear goals, allocating resources efficiently, and motivating your people

toward common objectives. Actions informed by your mission focus on fulfilling the core purpose

you have been given by God. This can be seen in your actions like community engagement,

ethical practices, and aligning people's efforts with the broader mission.

There is also a direct correlation to your behavior as well. Consistent behaviors such

as respect and responsibility are manifestations of character. Your identity as a person of strong

character leads to behaviors that promote trust and reliability. Behaviors stemming

from integrity include open communication, admitting mistakes, and standing firm on ethical

grounds. When your identity is rooted in integrity, you'll behave in ways that reinforce

confidence in your moral leadership. Vision informs behaviors such as strategic planning,

innovation, and proactive problem solving. Your identity as a visionary drives behaviors

that continually push people toward progress and improvement.

Behaviors that align with your mission include commitment, dedication, and consistency.

Your identity as a mission-driven individual ensures that your behavior consistently reflect

and reinforce the mission. Now let's look at the direct connection with choices. Decisions made by

you are often a direct reflection of your character. Your identity guides you to make

choices that uphold your ethical principles even when faced with pressure to compromise or

take shortcuts. Choices made with integrity often involve doing what is right over what is easy

or expedient. For example, you might choose to reject a lucrative but ethically questionable

opportunity, reflecting your commitment to integrity. Vision-oriented choices are

about prioritizing long-term benefits over short-term gains. Your identity shaped by

a clear vision ensures that every decision contributes to building the future you envision,

such as investing in the development of people. Choices guided by your mission are often about

balancing profitability with performance. For instance, you might choose to pursue

sustainable practices, even if you require a higher initial investment because your mission

prioritizes social responsibility alongside financial success. Your character ensures that

your actions are ethical and that your choices build trust. Integrity ensures that your behaviors

are consistent and transparent, reinforcing your credibility. Vision drives actions and choices

that are forward-looking, ensuring growth and alignment with future goals. Your mission provides

the foundation for actions, behaviors, and choices that serve a greater purpose, ensuring you stay

aligned with your core objectives. Your identity deeply rooted in character, integrity, vision,

and mission serves as a guiding framework for your actions, behaviors, and choices.

This alignment promotes a leadership style that is ethical, trustworthy, purposeful,

and visionary, creating a positive and lasting impact. This isn't just a theory. It's the basis

for you to think about putting into practice who you are and what you bring to the table.

There are many practical applications to knowing your identity and what it looks like in practice.

We can look at mindset, communication, conflict resolution, training future leaders, and team

building as a few areas of application. Each involves embedding the values of character,

integrity, vision, and mission. Your identity shapes your mindset, fostering a growth-oriented,

resilient, and optimistic approach. When you have a strong identity focus on continuous learning

and development, you'll see challenges as opportunities to grow and encourage people

to adopt the same perspective. By grounding your mindset and character and mission,

you'll remain steadfast in adversity, inspiring people to persist and adapt.

A vision-driven identity will help you maintain a positive outlook, motivating people even during

tough times. Identity also informs communication styles that are clear and transparent and align

with your vision and mission. Leaders with integrity communicate honestly, again fostering

trust and openness. By sharing your vision and mission regularly, you'll ensure that you're

aligned with your long-term goals and creating a sense of purpose and direction. Character-driven

identity emphasizes empathetic listening and understanding, making communication more

inclusive and supportive. Knowing who you are and what you bring to the table will

help you to navigate conflicts ethically and constructively. Leaders with strong character

resolve conflicts with the aim of maintaining relationships. By staying true to your values,

you'll ensure that resolutions are consistent with your ethical standards.

By aiming to maintain relationships, conflicts are resolved with vision and mission in mind,

which results in an outcome that supports long-term objectives. Knowing who you are

and what you bring to the table is critical in developing future leaders who are equipped,

developed, and empowered to lead with integrity and purpose. When you use your knowledge and

experience to provide future leaders with the tools and resources necessary for success,

you set them up to be well prepared for their future roles as leaders. By modeling character,

integrity, and mission-oriented leadership, you'll be mentoring and developing emerging leaders,

encouraging their growth in both skills and ethical grounding. When you value empowerment

and trust people, delegate responsibilities effectively, and encourage autonomy, you help

future leaders build confidence and decision-making capabilities. Knowing your identity allows you to

build cohesive teams by aligning team dynamics with core values, vision, and mission.

Leaders build team culture that emphasizes ethical behavior, mutual respect, and shared values,

creating a strong foundation for collaboration. Leaders set goals that are aligned with the

vision, ensuring that every team member understands how their contributions advance collective

objectives. We are going to talk about these topics specifically in upcoming episodes,

the topics of mindset, communication, conflict resolution, equipping, developing, empowering

future leaders, and team building. But I wanted to highlight at least some applications here to

drive home the significance of understanding your identity, who you are, and what you bring to the

table. Incorporating these applications ensures that your leadership is not only effective,

but also sustainably and ethically grounded. This creates a positive and empowered environment

cultivating long-term success and growth. Two questions to consider here. The first is,

how does your identity as a leader show up in everyday interactions? And the second is,

what's an example of a decision you made that reflects your leadership identity?

Okay, I've gone on long enough. We looked at identity explored through four key components,

character, integrity, vision, and mission. Character encompasses moral and ethical qualities

such as accountability, empathy, humility, resilience, and respect, which guide your actions.

Integrity involves honesty and adherence to strong moral principles, ensuring you consistently do

the right thing. Mission is about having a clear, compelling picture of the future

that inspires and guides strategic planning. Mission defines your purpose and aligns

actions with overarching goals. We made the distinction between roles and identity,

noting that roles are temporary while identity shapes how these roles are fulfilled.

Understanding and embodying these elements will help you lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose,

aligning your actions, behaviors, and choices with your defined identity.

Here are the six questions from across both parts of the leader identity conversation,

and I will have them in the show notes as well. Number one, are you letting external validation or

internal convictions shape your leadership identity? Number two, how do scripture and faith play into

defining who you are as a leader? Number three, how would you articulate your leadership identity

in one sentence? Number four, how do your core beliefs shape the way you lead? Number five,

how does your identity as a leader show up in everyday interactions?

And number six, what's an example of a decision you made that reflects your leadership identity?

Sit with these questions, prayerfully consider each of them, and be honest with yourself.

And once again, I challenge you to step out boldly and share your thoughts with me,

whether that's through an email or a DM on social media. I'd love to hear from you and you'll find

all the ways to reach me in the show notes. I really, I can't wait to connect and continue

the conversation with you. Thank you for tuning into Equipped for Purpose. I hope today's episode

gave you tools and inspiration to deepen your discipleship and strengthen your leadership.

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if you found value in today's content,

share it with someone who could benefit. Let's connect on social media and through my website.

And remember, you are being equipped for a purpose. Go make an impact.