Updated 3/27/12

It’s almost April, and for many of us that means it’s time to start ramping up our recruitment efforts for next year’s student leaders.

And as we do, we know that there are some students who quite literally have “student leader” written all over them — in fact, from the moment we met them we knew that they would one day make an incredible leader.

There are others who, over the course of this past year, have grown and developed in some significant ways — and they are now primed to take on leadership within our ministry.

But are there others out there… less obvious “leaders”… waiting just below the surface to be found and invited into leadership?

The answer is YES!

There are quiet, more introverted students on our campuses — and within our ministries — who have SO much to offer in terms of leadership and leadership potential… but they may need to be sought out and encouraged to step into leadership roles.

While these introverted students may not have the same kind of charisma and/or “come follow me” kind-of-ora that some of their extraverted peers might; many will possess a kind of strength, depth and willingness to take on responsibility (and follow through with that commitment) that will make them incredible leaders within our ministries.

SO, as we go in search of new leaders:

• Some of us may need to broaden the scope of our leadership recruitment.
• Some of us may need to reconsider our notions about what a “leader” looks like.
• Some of us may need to read “between the lines” of some of the student leader applications that come across our desks, and
• Some of us may need to take a closer look at the students we know, and may have already dismissed from leadership potential, because of their quiet, shy and introverted nature.

Creating space for introverted leaders within our ministries has the potential to alter, and expand, our ministries in immeasurable ways.  But that’s another post for another time.

For now:

• Have you been overlooking introverts as potential leaders?
• Have you seen introverted students take on leadership roles — and excel?
• How have introverts changed the nature of your leadership team and/or ministry efforts?

Take a moment to share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Photo courtesy of: leadershipfreak.wordpress.com