Strengthening Your Leadership Core Part 1: Skills Intelligence

What Does It Take to Be a Good Leader?

This question isn’t easy to answer. Depending on who you ask, you might hear a dozen different responses. Leadership can seem like an endless checklist of traits to develop—inspirational, organized, daring, effective, sacrificial, innovative, and the list goes on. It’s easy to get overwhelmed trying to tackle everything at once.

So, where should you start if you want to grow as a leader? What’s most important?

The best approach is to focus on three core areas: Skills Intelligence, Personality Intelligence, and Emotional Intelligence. Think of these as the core muscles of leadership—strengthening them makes you effective, adaptable, and resilient. In this three-part series, we’ll break down each of these categories, starting with Skills Intelligence (SI).

Skills Intelligence

When we think about leadership, it’s tempting to jump straight to charisma or relational skills. But at the heart of effective leadership lies Skills Intelligence. SI isn’t just about intellectual ability; it’s about understanding what needs to be done to accomplish the mission. It’s the ability to identify challenges, craft a clear vision, and make decisions that propel your team forward.

Here’s the thing: SI doesn’t mean you have to be the smartest person in the room or have all the answers. Instead, it’s about applying wisdom and discernment to bring clarity where there’s confusion. Leaders with strong SI commit to learning, listening, and developing their skills with humility and purpose. They’re willing to do the hard work of growing in their craft rather than taking shortcuts or imitating others.

What Does Skills Intelligence Look Like?

• Practical Excellence

A leader with strong SI is always learning. They ask questions, seek out feedback, and take the time to develop their expertise. But they’re also intentional about focusing on what fits their unique role and context. As Jonny Pollock notes in his blog, "Lies Small Church Pastors Believe," leaders with a strong core avoid the temptation to copy someone else’s success. Instead, they critically evaluate strategies and adapt them to their specific mission.

For example, a small church pastor might prioritize growing in preaching, evangelism, and member care over learning the latest church technology. That kind of focus honors their unique calling and ensures their efforts are aligned with their mission.

• Realistic Priorities

Leaders with strong SI know how to prioritize what truly matters. They’re not distracted by every trend or the "next big thing." Instead, they focus on the essentials that align with their mission.

For instance, a church plant might choose to focus on discipling their congregation and building meaningful relationships in the community rather than launching a homeless ministry or international missions program right away. While those are worthy goals, prioritizing what’s most important now allows them to give their full energy to their highest priorities. This kind of discernment helps avoid burnout and keeps the mission on track.

• Biblical Faithfulness

Ultimately, a leader with strong SI recognizes they’re a steward of God’s mission, not a star seeking personal acclaim. They make decisions grounded in Scripture, ensuring their leadership aligns with God’s truth. This often means asking hard questions like, “How can I honor God in this decision?” and resisting the pressure to chase cultural trends. Biblical faithfulness reminds leaders that success is measured not by worldly standards but by their obedience to God’s calling (Joshua 1:7-8).

For example, a leader might make an unpopular decision because it’s faithful to God’s Word, even if it means losing people in the short term. This commitment to biblical faithfulness not only sustains leaders through challenges but also builds a dependence on the Lord as well as trust and long-term impact with others.

Strengthen Your Core

Skills Intelligence is the foundation of great leadership. When you focus on practical excellence, realistic priorities, and biblical faithfulness, you develop the clarity, wisdom, and purpose needed to lead effectively. SI is about more than just getting things done—it’s about doing the right things in the right way, honoring your unique calling and context.

In the next two blogs in this series, we’ll dive into Personality Intelligence and Emotional Intelligence. We’ll explore how understanding yourself and managing your emotions can take your leadership to the next level. So stay tuned—your leadership core is about to get a serious upgrade!