Proverbs 14.28
“In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.”
The message of this Proverb is the relationship between a leader (in this case, a political leader) and the people they lead. According to God’s blueprint, the “glory” of a leader is the virtue and productivity of the people. According the world’s blueprint, the glory of a leader is the multitude of people under their rule.
We must follow God’s blueprint for leadership, not the world’s.
Leadership is essential in society, but it also presents a great paradox and a great challenge. We need leaders in every sector: government, the home, business, education, ministry, the military, athletics. And it is the nature of leadership that with it comes authority, power, and status. As leadership position elevates, so does authority and power. The higher you are on the org chart, the more authority you typically have.
But therein lies the paradox and the challenge. The paradox is that real leadership isn’t power derived from a position you are given; rather, it is influence based on trust you have earned. When it comes to leadership, your influence is your authority. Real authority is conferred by your people, and they will give you that authority only if they trust you.
Trust is earned through behavior, not granted by position. Some leaders operate under the misguided notion that authority creates trust. In reality it works the other way: Trust creates authority. People will not automatically trust you because you have a title; they will only trust you if you behave in a way that warrants their trust.
If you are in a position of leadership, then you automatically have the authority that comes with your role. Trust operates differently. In leadership, your effectiveness is determined not by the level of authority associated with your title, but by the level of trust you have built with the people you lead. If you exercise authority without a foundation of trust, you will end up generating resentment and resistance.
It is foundational to true leadership: You must earn the right to be followed. As a leader, the greatest authority you can have is the trust of your people.
The key point is that there are standards and qualifications for being a leader, and chief among these is trustworthiness. This is exactly the advice given to Moses by his father-in-law as recorded in Exodus 18.21: “Look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.” (Exodus 18.21)
The challenge is that people tend to be self-centered when they get into leadership. Many get seduced by the status and power that comes with a leadership position, and rather than serving others, they end up serving self. This is the world’s blueprint for leadership, and it is destructive.
The truth is that when self dominates, real leadership is impossible.
Godly leaders understand the great secret of leadership: It’s not about you. Godly leaders think, “How can I help the people I serve be virtuous and productive?”
Christ-centered leaders have deep respect for people, and they seek to serve and support. Godly leaders don’t use their authority for personal advancement; rather, they use their authority to benefit others. They don’t see leadership as power, they see leadership as serving. This is precisely what Jesus taught:
“And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be servant of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)
More on this important topic later this week …
