Get Your Leadership in Check

"A large population is a king's splendor, but a shortage of people is a ruler's devastation" (HCSB, Proverbs 14:28).

Ever wonder why no one is following you? Ever wonder why it seems that you just can't get where you think you should be in leadership, business, your volunteer organization, or even your marriage? If you are looking to see who your followers are and you find no one, than you should take a break and reassess YOURSELF.

"Leadership is not what you do, it is who you are" (Dr. Leonard Hale).

The book of Proverbs is not a book of biblical promises but a book of principles for living, and even more so about community living. We (humans) have been designed to live and function within a community setting, and although contrary to current belief, everything we do does affects others. In chapter 14 of Proverbs, Solomon shares some great principles about leadership. Here are some principles that you may need to assess in your own life:

1. Great leaders display patience (self-control) and understanding/discernment.

"A patient person shows great understanding but a quick-tempered one promotes foolishness" (Proverbs 14: 29).

Have you ever had a leader who was really quick to lose his/her temper? How many followers did he/she have? I don't mean subordinates, those who HAD to do what he/she said but those who wanted to, looked up to, desired to be with, wanted to be a success because of, kind of followers. I guarantee he/she had not many, if any. A quick-tempered man/woman is not a leader and will have no followers and his/her future as a leader is very short lived.

2. Great leaders make decisions based on principles, have clear thinking, and are not jealous of others.

"A tranquil heart is life to the body, but jealousy is rottenness to the bones" (Proverbs 14:30).

When a leader makes his/her decisions based on what is morally and ethically right, there is the ability to have peace and contentment with him/herself. There is no need for anxiety because he/she knows that at the end of the day the decisions that have been made, even if not the best for the business where at least, on target morally and ethically. This also allows followers to have this same peace and contentment. Have you ever worked for someone or a company with whom you were unsure of their practices? How peaceful was that? Jealousy... this is a tough one. As a leader it is dire that we function on the basis of our foundational beliefs of integrity, morals, ethics, hard work, dedication, and determination, NOT based on an effort to outdo, outrank, out-sell, or make more money than another. Jealousy of another business or individual will eat away at the very core of your thinking and distort EVERYTHING around you. It will become the focus of your business and destroy the integrity of it. No longer will your focus be on serving and bringing up your followers. Keep this in check.

3. Great leaders are men/women of internal integrity, are not afraid to confront, and do not forget to PRAISE.

"Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. A king favors a wise servant, but his anger falls on a disgraceful one" (Proverbs 14:34-35).

I believe that we have become a people and a nation where even the word and idea of integrity has become self-serving. Integrity means "an unimpaired condition; especially to a moral code or to having strong moral principles; moral uprightness" (Miriam Webster). An unimpaired condition; this doesn't change based on how one is feeling or the situation, or the possible outcome, it's a constant state. Moral principles do not waiver for our benefit. Great leaders know this and serve their followers, and make decisions based on these unwavering moral principles. When followers know this about their leader this gives them peace (vs. 30) because they know what to expect in their leader.

Confrontation.

This is a difficult one, but necessary. Great leaders know that confrontation is necessary because they are servants to their followers. They are not only responsible for the organization but they are responsible to their followers to guide, direct, and lead. When a leader will not confront "sin" or bad choice/behavior, the entire company pays the price ("but sin is a disgrace to any people"). Just as parents who love their children discipline them in order to mold, develop, and raise them up, leaders must confront as a way to bring up and help those who are following, and not just for the good of the individual, but for the whole community as well.

Praise.

"A king favors favors a wise servant" (Proverbs 14:35). Praise those who are living by integrity, who are exemplary in their work, and who display the character qualities you desire in your organization. Everyone needs to hear that they are doing a great job. Praise, praise, praise. Don't be afraid of what the others will think. Really, your are afraid they might be jealous? Hmmm, that's ok now you have an opportunity to CONFRONT and to talk about the pains and problems of jealousy :)

If your focus is on others, you will not look back and find a lack of followers. No, on the contrary, they will be all around you. I leave you with the words of Paul,

"Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others" (HCSB, Philippians 2:3-4).

Reference

HCSB. (2010). Holman Christian Standard Bible. Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers

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