Tag: Solomon

Wise Leaders…

Wisdom is defined as the quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment. Practically speaking, wisdom is the proper application of knowledge.

One of the most notable illustrations of leadership wisdom is found in King Solomon. The request of Solomon was a discerning heart to rule God’s people. This does not mean that Solomon was without faults, but God granted his request.

Leaders should ask God for wisdom. He gives generously to those who ask in faith.

The wisdom from God possesses specific qualities described as pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy (Jas. 3:17).

The End of a Matter…

Solomon said the end is better than the beginning.

From a leadership standpoint, we learn the value of credibility and confidence.

When leaders reach the end of a matter it is an indicator of success, and success breeds credibility for those who follow.

As well, reaching the end of a matter strengthens confidence in the leader. As victory is achieved, leaders grow with confidence to accomplish more.

Our leadership is no different. As leaders achieve success, they anticipate the next challenge or goal and work with tireless effort to build upon their confidence to strengthen their credibility.

Listen, Think, Speak…

Solomon wrote that a word spoken in the right circumstances was “like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Few principles carry more weight in leadership than this one.

The challenge is how to develop this ability. 

1) Actively listen. A key attribute for learning what to say at the right time is to listen. There are times silence speaks more to the need than words.

2) Think before speaking. The tendency is to speak as soon as the thought crosses our mind. Relationships are often destroyed when we speak too quickly.

These two suggestions provide a foundation to speak the right words in the right circumstance.

A Band of Leaders…

A friend of mine once said, “Always remember, you can’t make it on your own.” 

Solomon reminds us that “two are better than one.” Why? 

  1. Good return for their labor
  2. Help the other up when someone falls
  3. Keep each other warm
  4. When alone and overpowered, two can resist 

He concludes with this thought, “A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart” (Eccl. 4:9-12). Alone, we are vulnerable, but there is strength in numbers. 

Leaders must encourage one another, grow to maturity, and defeat the enemy together. The strength gained lays a foundation for a greater future.

Vision and Leadership…

A majority of leaders in the political, educational, corporate and religious arenas quickly admit that vision is essential to leadership.

In construction, leaders demonstrate an ability to see the finished product in their mind. Only when they see it will they follow the blueprint accurately.

Spiritual leaders must do the same. To help Christians reach the goals before them, leaders must first see it in their mind.

Casting this kind of vision helps them stay focused and energized for the journey.

Mistakes are easily made when there is no vision. Solomon wrote, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained” (Pro. 29:18).