J. Oswald Sanders (1902-1992) wrote, in Spiritual Leadership (1967, 1980, 1994):
People without natural leadership skills do not become great leaders at the moment of conversion. Yet a review of the history of the church reveals that the Holy Spirit sometimes releases gifts and qualities that were dormant beforehand. When that happens, a leader is born.

A true Christian leader is less likely to be a charismatic 'natural' leader, and more likely to be 'selected' for leadership by the in-working of Holy Spirit. The gifts and qualities of the person anointed for a leadership role emerge as visible possibly only when the occasion arises. The best Christian leaders are reluctant, albeit diligent, leaders, who have a spirit for unity under God. Most of all, the Christian leader is dependable - they depend on God very steadfastly, which means they are likely to be extremely flexible, approachable, and pastorally-hearted.

It seems an unpopular phrase these days: servant leader. But the dependable Christian leader is servant of all. He or she can (and by example, often do) serve all without any second thought. But they are also discerning enough to know the will of God in their present situation. They rejoice with those rejoicing and they mourn with those mourning. Their pastoral flexibility adapts to the need of the time, without giving way to unnecessary sentiment, but such flexibility caters for and respects personal and interpersonal differences. Christian leadership celebrates diversity of many kinds.

And all this is likely to emerge in such a way as people might say, "I never saw leadership in him or her." God loves to change things up. We ought to remember the biblical principle: God humbles those who exalt themselves and he exalts those who humble themselves for his sake.