By Ramon Rocha, director of publisher development
Do you have what it takes to be an effective publishing leader? Test yourself against this 
list. Fear not if you don’t measure up; this is an ideal. Each of us have growth areas. Consider setting goals for yourself with God’s help and your team’s. Try holding yourself accountable with these qualities of a publishing leader:
1. A genuine disciple of Jesus Christ: a strong, reputable and mature believer
2. A deep sense of calling to lead an indigenous Christian publishing house
3. A firm believer of the written word’s strategic role in drawing people to God
4. A good understanding and grasp of the needs of the reading public, and an ability to identify, develop and encourage local writers to write books addressing these needs
5. Possesses adequate business and management skills
6. A lover of books and an advocate for reading
7. A pursuer of excellence
8. A people person
9. Humble and teachable
10. A visionary and a big picture person
11. Has the ability to form and build a team that sets common goals, formulates strategies and measures results
12. Knowledgeable of the context and realities in the economy and society
13. Articulate and a good communicator
14. Able to inspire, train, motivate staff
15. Able to have fun and to put people at ease
16. A leader by example
Do you have anything to add? Tell us here.
MAI provides training for global Christian publishers with two goals: 1) to help them become financially self-sustaining and 2) to encourage them to find and publish more local authors.