Leadership as an Identity: The Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence

by Crawford W. Loritts Jr.

Ask yourself this What type of character qualifies the people God chooses to use?

The question itself assumes an atypical answer, simply because it leaves out so much. To ask only about one's character seems inadequate when defining a leader. We surely need to ask about character, but also about personality, communication skills, IQ, education, previous experience, and more... don't we?

Crawford Loritts disagrees. He answers the question with four simple Brokenness, communion, servanthood, and obedience.

These four traits form the framework for Leadership as an Identity . By examining each trait, Loritts undermines many pervasive assumptions about leadership that are unbiblical.

According to Loritts, God doesn't look for leaders like the world does. He looks for disciples.

Genres: Leadership, Christian, Nonfiction, Self Help, Christianity, Christian Living, Christian Non Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

CRAWFORD LORITTS (B.S., D.Th., Philadelphia Biblical University; D.Div., Biola University) is the senior pastor of Fellowship Bible Church in Roswell, Georgia. He has served as a national evangelist with the American Missionary Fellowship and the Urban Evangelistic Mission, and as Associate Director of Campus Crusade for Christ. He co-founded Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas. He is a frequent speaker for professional sports teams, including three Super Bowls and the NCAA Final Four Chapel, and has spoken at conferences, churches, conventions and evangelistic outreaches throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the United States. He is also the host of Living A Legacy, a daily radio program.
Dr. Loritts has written numerous articles and is the author of six books, including Leadership as an Identity, Lessons from a Life Coach, and For a Time We Cannot See. He co-authored Developing Character in Your Child with his wife, Karen.

Dr. Loritts and his wife have four grown children and live in the Atlanta, Georgia area.

Reviews

[Logan Maloney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished my 3rd read through and I still have so much to learn! I’m humbled each time I approach this book seeing how far I still need to go in the Christian walk in order to look more like Christ.

2nd time reading through and my below statement from my first read is still extremely true!

Absolutely incredible book. This is one that I’m going to go back and read again and again through the years. Defines extremely well what it looks like to be a leader from a Biblical perspective. Crawford is an incredible writer and makes me want to read more of his books!

[Andrew LaRow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crawford Loritts does a great job of setting forth 4 important characteristics of Christian leaders: brokenness, uncommon communion with God, servanthood, and obedience. Just reading those four things in this review doesn't count. It was such an encouraging read, and I plan to reread it.

Echoing in my mind is Loritt's discussion on brokenness. We focus too much on competence over character and place a negative stigma on a leader who is "broken". We need to realize that God's assignments for Christian leaders are impossible without Him. When we realize our limitations and falls, or, in other words, our brokenness, we will flee to Him. He knows He is calling broken people to complete his purposes, for we are all as such. But he does not command and then leave: he will provide for what he has called us to do. Leaders need to consider daily dependence on Him as a sign of growth, not weakness.

"It is good to be reminded that we are most useful to God when we realize that in ourselves we don't have what it takes to get His assignments done. The reason we are inadequate is because God wants us and everybody else to know that what has been accomplished has been done in His strength and for His glory"

[Abby McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a great job of helping to re wire our minds to see leadership through the eyes of Christ rather than the eyes of the world because the 2 outlooks are SO different.
If you are a Christian and the Lord has given you the calling of leading in any capacity for His kingdom and His church then this is a REALLY great resource to have!

[Michelle Inman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing life changing, maybe that was due to 2x speed on audio and inevitably not soaking it all in?

[Mike Sechler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best Leadership book on my shelf

I have now read this book twice and I still consider it the best leadership book I have read. Loritts' emphasis on our identity in the Lord points us in the right direction for strength and purpose.

This book will be required reading for all leaders in my church from here on out. Character grounded in our identity in Christ is more important than talents and gifting for leaders in the church.

[Kit Kohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book on encompassing many of the critical traits Godly leaders need as well as bits of wisdom that are useful for life in general. 1 star off because I thought his references to the size of the churches of some of his leaders made it feel like the measurement of a leader is the number of people under him.

[Megan Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you do any kind of serving in any way, PLEASE read this book. It has so many good nuggets and biblical truths. Will be recommending to everyone I meet.

[Becca Loritz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really well written book on leadership & how Christian leaders should act! If you’re a leader in any capacity you should definitely read this book!

[Ethan Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good leadership book. Not your expected christian leadership book. Unique and challenging principles to be a biblical and Godly leader.

[Cassidy Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for a leadership group at church. It was an easy read and easy to understand. Some really good eye opening things in here about leadership! Convicting and encouraging. I recommend!

[Mariah Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heard a brief recommendation on this book in a podcast I listen to frequently. To say this surpassed my expectations is an understatement. I am thankful for moments of attention that lead to further obedience and guidance. Beyond thankful for where God has me and how He uses me as an instrument. May I never forget to pursue Truth, be willing to be held accountable and walk in obedience.

[Eddie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard of Crawford Loritts at the Elephant room conference a few years back. He is an incredibly powerful speaker, that is to be sure, but sometimes that doesn't translate over into solid writing.

But For Crawford, it does translate just fine.

Leadership as an Identity is an excellent book, not about leadership principles or techniques, but about character imbedded deep into the leaders DNA. This book is as much on growing in Christlikeness as it is about leadership. i was expecting strategy and what I got was heart changing discipleship lessons.

I recommend this to any leader in the church. But don't just pick this up and skim it. You've got to dive in and feel the author's passion.

Also, this book comes off very fatherly in tone, which we need more of. Spiritual fathering is lost in our day and is much needed. Very thankful for this book.

The only reason it's not five stars is that much of this info wasn't terribly brand new (nor should it have been), but it was timely reminders and deep insights into character and identity. I'm not sure what it could have done to be 5 stars (probably nothing, i think its perfect), Just the subject matter limits it in that respect.

[Madelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read a lot of Christian books, a lot of leadership books, and a lot of books on Christian leadership. This is one of the very best of them. I wish I could rate it more than 5 stars, which is something I don’t say very often. I will definitely be reading it again.

[Zachary Hanje · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book on leadership. I pray I'll practice and exhibit the four traits Crawford lists!

[Mookie J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy read, lot of good stuff about humility and right perspective on leading 3.5/5

[Mitchell Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book might not be the most in-depth study over what a Chrisitan leader should look like, Crawford Loritts does an amazing job describing four timeless qualities of a servant-leader. This book gives helpful categories and language for what someone just stepping into leadership would need to hear. I can see this as a perfect book for the beginning of a student discipleship group or leaders team.

I would really recommend this book to anyone who is looking to understand what it means to lead and how God enables us to do that.

[Kurt Larson · Rating 2 out of 5]

A book certainly written for pastors (and at times this seems to be exclusively for male church leaders). At times, Crawford comes across sharp, at-first-glance-legalistic, and not displaying a lot of grace. I presume if I knew him a lot of this perception would change. That being said, some of what he said was controversial and threatening, almost implying that church leaders simply need more discipline. Which I would gladly take a lesson on from Jocko Willink, but wouldn't expect as much of that from a Christian author.

[Nicholas Worth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that every Christian leader MUST read at some point in their career, at which point they will likely make a point to read it multiple times throughout their ministry. A solid grounded piece of work from an author who has modeled his wisdom throughout. Very thankful for the words I read, although it took me some time to make time for this book, each time I read exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. Buy a copy to have on your book shelf, and when the time comes and you need it, I believe it will call out to you

[Mallory McQueen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally finished this book almost a year later ope but I’m glad I did. About 3/4 of the way through I told someone I felt pretty meh about the book because I hadn’t learned anything new or revolutionary from the book. But as I neared the end I realized that was actually fine because sometimes you just need to be reminded of what leadership is as a “sacred trust” as Loritts refers to it. I don’t think that everyone needs to read this book necessarily but it’s got a ton of good reminders.

[Nick Defore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the type of title and cover I am drawn to. Thankful for this being gifted and recommended to me by a trusted friend. It is one I will continue to revisit. Important reminders that hit right where I am, and humbled me back toward where I need to be. Don’t make assumptions and judge this one by its cover. Just dive in and maintain a posture of examination.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book overall, especially the focus on character and humility. Challenging at times too.Otherwise it is repetitive and missing the fuel of the Gospel as motivation (not just Jesus as a model, but as a Savior from the perils he describes and how that works out in one's life).

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book because it gives slightly different takes on leadership concepts we have all heard before. All four that he highlights are important for leadership that follows the lead set by Jesus. Will keep it on my desk for quick reference in the future.

[Goeppners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and important book

Dr. Loritts teaches such valuable leadership truths in this book. Every Christian leader should read this and include in their repeat read list. Thankful for his faithfulness to the scripture and practical illustrations from his life and others.

[Debbie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCELLENT leadership book (even for parents who lead their families) - Leadership as an Identity by Crawford W. Loritts, Jr. Four traits of leadership: Brokenness, Uncommon Communion (relationship with Christ), Servanthood, and Radical, Immediate (complete) obedience.

[Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic and short book on what God-honoring leadership looks like. Crawford Loritts does a thorough job of pulling directly from scripture the characteristics and habits of effective leaders.

[Rebecca Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good!! Dr, Loritts’ voice is authentic, direct and compassionate as he talks about stewarding what the Lord has given you with wisdom, humility and ultimate dependence. Encouraging to the soul of any leader.

[Becca Catherman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fits the title! It covers the character traits leaders should have and relates it to many Bible characters. There are quotes from various authors at the end of each chapter. It was an encouraging read!

[Diamone Ukegbu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book requires you to take you time and let the Lord show you yourself in ways you may have heard- but need to re-examine. First time I read I read it without engaging my heart. Not this time. So challenging and so good. Humbling…

[Ellis D · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Treasure To Read

Leadership is my identity. This book challenges you to look to the Lord to build up your faith learning how to endure the hardships that are required to steer the ship.

[Kayla Hollatz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This provides a look at leadership in all spheres of life—not just professionally—through the lens of faith. This book was a gift from a dear friend, and while I liked it, most of what's included feels like a reminder rather than a fresh revelation.