Subtilty, or good sense, is an important trait for a leader. In fact, subtilty accompanies leadership success.
Character vs. Success
You can probably think of several success traits for a leader. For example, decisiveness, vision, and the ability to motivate and inspire.
Similarly, lists of leadership success traits focus on the externals, thus on that which is observable. You know, look what I did!
In contrast, the Proverbs focus on the character of a leader. Why? Because if I get the character part right, appropriate behavior will follow.
Ultimately, leadership success absent a just character is shallow and temporal.
Leadership Character
Proverbs 8.1-16 speaks about leadership character. In fact, the passage describes a character that’s guided by the precepts found in wisdom.
So then, what are some traits of a precept-driven leader?
Basically, the precept-driven leader exhibits a character that:
1). Is discerning and subtle because they respond to the call of wisdom. Thus, the leader isn’t shallow-minded or foolishly overconfident. Proverbs 8.1-5.
2). Recognizes the truth by discerning what’s right. Proverbs 8.6-9.
3). Clearly grasps what’s of greatest value and what’s temporal. Proverbs 8.10-11.
4). Is marked by subtilty and deep thoughtfulness because they value careful decision making. Proverbs 8.12
5). Is reverent, humble, and willing to accept unbiased advice because the leader sees beyond his/her ego. Proverbs 8.13-16.
Thus, these traits all accompany leadership success. However, for brevity, this post focuses on subtilty or good sense because subtilty accompanies leadership success.
Subtilty Defined
The Hebrew word ormah is used three times in Proverbs: 1.4, 8.5, and 8.12. In all three, the word has a positive meaning. In fact, it indicates subtilty, shrewdness, and good sense.
Additionally, in all three, subtilty is an outcome of being precept-driven because of choosing wisdom.
Thus, I should base my leadership development on the precepts because that positions me for character change. Moreover, that character change produces leadership influence that’s of lasting value.
Leadership Insight
As part of the new hire review process, faculty take prospects to dinner because the casual setting lets people get to know each other.
As expected, sometimes conversations stray from what’s allowable. And, the negative feedback from those conversations comes back immediately.
For instance, faculty behaved poorly in one such a meeting. Unsurprisingly, the complain call from the candidate’s school arrived early the next morning.
Immediately afterward, my boss called me. Then, I called the supervisor of the faculty involved.
It didn’t help that one of the faculty members had a reputation for being overbearing.
No Subtilty – Bad Results
Unfortunately, the supervisor’s defense was that it’s good we found out so soon the candidate wasn’t able to handle being pushed around. He saw nothing wrong!
Conversely, I found this total lack of moral character dumbfounding. So much so that I didn’t take issue as forcefully as I should have.
In short, the faculty were defended for behaving inappropriately because their department chair lacked good sense.
What’s worse, the chair simply didn’t see a problem with behavior that was condemned by others up the chain.
Thankfully, we were able to get the search back on track. How? By assuring those up the chain there wouldn’t be a repeat of the outlandish behavior.
Therefore, this is obviously a negative example. A lack of subtilty or good sense is a destructive trait. In addition, it’s an example of poor leadership skills.
Conversely, a sound character produces a number of useful traits in a leader, including subtilty or plain-old good sense. Hence, subtilty accompanies leadership success.
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