Life Lessons: Leadership

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Life Lessons

Leadership

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When dealing with groups of people in business, churches, communities or families little positive action is accomplished without successful leadership.  In his role as Israel's king, Solomon learned many important lessons concerning leadership.

Points to build on

A good leader seeks God's purpose and direction.

Proverbs 1:1-7:  "The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:  To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion-- A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 3:5-7:  "Trust in the LORD with all of your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your path.  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil."

A good leader listens to all opinions, but is careful to pick counselors who display the qualities of wisdom.

Proverbs 11:14:  "Where there is no counsel, the people fail..."

2 Chronicles 10:1-17 records the story of king Rehoboam who rejected the wisdom of good counselors and listened to selfish men.  His rash actions resulted in the splitting of his kingdom into two nations.

Success in any endeavor takes a commitment to hard work.

Proverbs 12:24:  "The hand of the diligent will rule, But the slothful will be put to forced labor."

A key to success is to relay information truthfully and faithfully from those over you.

Proverbs 13:17:  "A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful ambassador brings health."

A leader must strive to be unbiased and fair.

Proverbs 17:26 NIV:  "It is not good to punish an innocent man, or to flog officials for their integrity."

A wise leader listens to all sides of a situation before making a decision.

Proverbs 18:13:  "He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him."

Proverbs 18:17:  "The first one to plead his cause seems right, Until his neighbor comes and examines him."

A good leader endures adversity.

Proverbs 24:10:  "If you faint in the day of adversity your strength is small."

A good leader must always be on guard not to be tricked by lies and flattery.

Proverbs 26:28:  "A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin."

Proverbs 27:21 NIV:  "The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives."

A poor leader oppresses the weak and poor.

Proverbs 28:15:  "Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over poor people."

Covetousness is one of the dangerous pits all leaders must avoid.

Proverbs 28:16:  "A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, But he who hates covetousness will prolong his days."

A leader's effectiveness is reflected in the people he is leading.

Proverbs 29:2:  "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people mourn."

Proverbs 29:12:  "If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked."

Application

Good leadership requires a dedication to learning how to lead; developing understanding of people; and the ability to motivate people to achieve a common goal.