Tony Hawk epitomizes walking the talk. He has planted churches, managed a company that provided counseling services for Wal-Mart, and is now a senior leader with the Soderquist Center for Leadership and Ethics, where he assists business men and women around the world in the fine art of ethical leadership. WorkMatters is honored to claim Tony as a board member and friend. We asked Tony a few questions about what leadership in the workplace means to him.

Q - Leadership is such a broad, possibly overused, term. What is your simple definition of leadership?
A - I see leadership as the capacity to unleash untapped potential in others. It is more than communicating a compelling vision for your organization, product or cause. Leadership is having a vision for people. It is seeing them as more capable than they see themselves. It is helping them achieve more than they thought possible. It is the courage to give them responsibility and authority, and to provide them the resources and support that will give them every opportunity to succeed. It is the courage to clearly establish ethical boundaries to assure followers that their decision to invest their time and energy in sharing your vision is right, safe and good for all.

Q - In your work at the Soderquist Center, what do you see as your greatest concern for the workplace today?
A - My greatest concern for the workplace is for leaders - especially leaders of faith - to recognize that people want to do good and be a part of something good. My prayer is that leaders will recognize that it is our responsibility to shape this expectation into existence among those with whom we work.

Q - What impact do you see a person's faith having in their ability to lead?
A - Jesus said there are two things that sum up the entirety of God's desire for us; to love Him first, and to demonstrate His love to others as a result of His love for us. Leadership researchers (especially in the areas of Emotional Intelligence) have found four things that are far more critical to leadership success than any competency-based factor. These four things are the essence of God's transformational work in our lives. The challenge for leaders of faith is to stay close enough to God on a daily basis that God can transform us in these four areas:

1. Self awareness - Seeing ourselves for who we truly are and humbly acknowledging God's incredible and undeserved grace towards us

2. Self-management - Humbly responding to His call to become like Christ in all we do

3. Social Awareness - Recognizing that God loves everyone else too, and that He has chosen us to be His instruments for getting the word out

4. Relationship Management - Being intentional about using our influence for His glory

Q - What does "success" look like to you?
A - Success for me begins with my walk with God, staying close enough to God to recognize what He is doing and courageous enough to adjust my life and get in the game when He calls. All these principles of success must first be accomplished at home. It is easy to be successful in a position of authority. It is a bit more challenging where position has little to do with success.

Q - What word of advice would you share with the next generation of leaders?
A - As cliché as this might sound, I can think of nothing more helpful for leaders than staying close to God; reading His word so you can know Him better and allowing Him to challenge you to greatness; journaling His work in your life and His answers to your prayers. Find a Godly mentor or accountability group to help you grow and, finally, do all you do to His glory, especially when it's not glorious work.