What sets great leaders apart from the rest?
After over 40 years of studying top ministry and marketplace leaders across America, I’ve noticed common traits that elevate good leaders into exceptional ones. Here are 15 of the most powerful habits of productive leaders:
1. They Run with Purpose
“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! … So I run with purpose in every step.”
— 1 Corinthians 9:24–26
Productive leaders know they’re in a race—and they run with discipline, passion, and eternal purpose.
2. They Believe Anything Is Possible
“We never test the resources of God until we attempt the impossible.” — F.B. Meyer
“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.” — Corrie Ten Boom
From Walt Disney to Oral Roberts, the world’s great dreamers had one thing in common: they believed the impossible was within reach.
3. They Turn Drive Time into Growth Time
With audiobooks, podcasts, and digital downloads, today’s leaders make their cars into rolling universities.
“Study to show yourself approved…” — 2 Timothy 2:15
4. They Dream Boldly—and Talk About It Often
Leaders paint a picture of a preferred future and share it often.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish…” — Proverbs 29:18
“I press on toward the goal…” — Philippians 3:14
I’ll never forget the day I read Acts 13:44 and saw that an entire city came to hear the Word. I stopped making excuses—and our church grew, then planted other churches, eventually impacting over 100,000 people globally each weekend.
Start by writing your dream down. Find God’s promises about it. Speak it out in faith. Then take action.
5. They Take Full Responsibility
Over 99% of failures are the result of excuse-making. Productive leaders own their outcomes.
6. They Guard Their Thoughts
“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” — Proverbs 23:7
“Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind…” — Ephesians 4:23 AMP
Your dominant thoughts shape your future. Refuse small thinking. Uproot mental sabotage.
7. They Know Failure Isn’t Fatal
Great leaders aren’t afraid to tackle big problems. They see setbacks as setups for growth. They move through fear into faith.
8. They Love What They Do
Only 6% of pastors report a deep passion for their ministry. But loving what you do changes everything.
A 20-year study found that only 2 out of 103 millionaires came from the 83% who chased money. The rest? They followed passion.
9. They Treat People Right
Love people. Use things. Productive leaders realize we are interdependent.
Books like Love Leads by Dr. Steve Greene and Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard offer practical insights on relational leadership.
10. They Plan Constantly
“Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity…” — Proverbs 21:5 (NLT)
Planning isn’t optional—it’s essential.
11. They Stick to Top Priorities
Effective leaders focus on a few core things and do them well. No distractions. No drifting.
12. They Are Committed to Excellence
“No expense was spared—everything was constructed using high-quality stone…” — 1 Kings 7:8–10 (MSG)
Whether it’s preparing a sermon, testing a mic, or proofreading a program, great leaders shoot for zero defects.
13. They Get the Right People Doing the Right Things
One great person in the right role is worth three out of place.
Productive leaders hire well, train well, and align people with purpose.
“None of us is as good as all of us.”
14. They Hold People Accountable
Leaders empower by assigning responsibility and inspecting the results. Accountability ensures alignment with vision and values.
15. They Ask the Right Questions
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Do we have the right people?
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Are we doing the right things?
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Are we doing the right things right?
Books like Good to Great by Jim Collins and Breakout Churches by Thom S. Rainer show that focus and execution are what separate average from exceptional.
If you want to be a more productive leader, start here. These 15 habits will help you build a lasting legacy, multiply your impact, and fulfill the calling God has placed on your life.
Let’s go lead—on purpose.
For further study check out 42 Things Highly Productive Pastors Know and Do That Others Don’t (MP3 Download) and The Art of Pacesetting Leadership and online course.
