Impactful leaders effectively combine humility and fearlessness. And, they persist in the face of challenge. Hence, impactful leaders are overcomers!
Precept Recognition
The precepts in Proverbs and Ecclesiastes came about from the life experiences of Solomon.
Apparently, he developed many of those ideas while growing up as a child of King David. Then, he added learning during his own time as king.
Although the precepts are universal, Solomon was good at packaging them into a format that’s easy to absorb then apply, that is, as a proverb.
Precept Application
In practice, impactful leaders are overcomers when they effectively apply these precepts.
Moreover, impactful leaders influence others because of traits such as decisiveness, fearlessness, and a just character.
Fundamentally, they’re willing to listen and to learn.
Also, they’re self-aware and consistent in the way they formulate decisions.
The Foundation for Influence
For impactful leaders, their influence is grounded in humility.
Actually, humility is a recurring theme in Proverbs. For some examples, see Proverbs 15.33, 18.12, 22.4, and 29.23.
Additionally, impactful leaders combine humility with interpersonal discretion, Proverbs 20.3 and 25.2.
Plus, they show mercy, Proverbs 21.21.
Interestingly, the use of the precepts to build leadership influence plays out in Second Chronicles Chapter 20. The story occurs during a time of national challenge.
The Story
In Second Chronicles Chapter 20 we read about a military threat, 20.2, against Judah.
The timeframe is approximately 100 years after the time of Solomon.
Under the leadership of their king, the people sought the assistance of God, Second Chronicles 20.3-13.
In response, they heard a message of encouragement and clear direction as to how to address the threat, 20.14-19.
Listen! Don’t be afraid or dismayed by this threat because the battle isn’t yours – it’s God’s! Second Chronicles 20.15 paraphrase
The Outcome
As it turned out, God intervened by turning the enemy against each other, Second Chronicles 20.20-24. One outcome was spoils of war, 20.25.
The people rejoiced, Second Chronicles 20.26-28. As a result, other nations saw what happened and chose to be at peace with Israel, 20.29-30.
All the surrounding nations heard how God fought against the enemies of Israel, so they backed off! Second Chronicles 20.29 paraphrase
Leadership Principles
This story from Second Chronicles Chapter 20 demonstrates seven leadership principles.
The following references are from the life of Solomon, his writings, or from related passages.
Impactful leaders:
1). Recognize that growth comes from facing challenge
In First Kings 2.24-25 Solomon overcame an early career challenge by not backing down from a threat. Thus, he’s a great example of how impactful leaders are overcomers.
Later, he observed the importance of fearlessness in a leader. For some examples, read Proverbs 19.12 and Proverbs 20.2, where he compared a leader to a roaring lion.
Also, see Ecclesiastes 10.16 where Solomon points out the importance of a leader being experienced because inexperience is a fatal flaw.
2). See the spiritual context of life events
According to Solomon, growing in wisdom is essentially a spiritual activity because it’s based on reverence. For instance, see Proverbs 1.7, 2.5-10, and 9.10.
Interestingly, Solomon’s dad grasped the spiritual importance of challenging situations, as David expressed in First Samuel 17.29 and 17.45-47.
Strategies for Facing Fear
3). Move forward in the face of fear by taking decisive action
David charged Goliath, First Samuel 17.48.
Likewise, leaders should be fearless, Proverbs 30.31. And, the leader’s words must show power, Ecclesiastes 8.2-4.
4). Acknowledge both their limitations and God’s sovereignty over events
Impactful leaders are realistic about the challenges they face. However, they’re optimistic about future prospects.
Conversely, they don’t fall into the traps of arrogance and overconfidence, Proverbs 8.13-16.
Instead, they acknowledge God’s influence over events, Proverbs 16.9. Then, they form sound decisions based on that knowledge, Proverbs 16.10.
In addition, impactful leaders are sensitive to God’s direction, Proverbs 21.1. As well, they build spiritual discernment to get to the heart of issues, Proverbs 25.2.
Listen Then Lead!
5). Accept wise counsel because of a just character
Impactful leaders seek input from multiple sources, Proverbs 11.14, 15.22, 20.18, and 24.6, before making decisions.
In fact, their willingness to seek wise counsel helps impactful leaders avoid foolish decisions, Proverbs 12.15 and 22.11.
In addition, impactful leaders combine a willingness to listen with a just character. So, even when they’re demanding, they’re just, Proverbs 16.12-15.
As such, their just character helps them avoid advice that’s inappropriate or misleading, Proverbs 25.4-5.
As a rule, their decisions are marked by justice, Proverbs 20.8 and 20.28.
Additionally, they’re intolerant of rule breaking, Proverbs 20.26 and of bribes, Proverbs 29.4.
Instead, they practice equity in their treatment of others, Proverbs 29.14.
In short, impactful leaders exhibit an inexhaustible depth of character, Proverbs 25.3.
Lead By Inspiring
6). Encourage others to believe and to take action in the face of challenge due to their strong character
David’s solo bravery encouraged an entire army, First Samuel 17.52.
Earlier, Joshua generated similar loyalty, Joshua 1.16-17.
7). Enjoy influence because of their decisiveness
Solomon’s decision-making skill gained him significant influence, First Kings 3.28.
Similarly, his wisdom attracted visitors who sought out his wisdom, First Kings 4.34.
Hence, his suggestion to reverence both God and the impactful leader, Proverbs 24.21.
Leadership Insight
Leadership development is, I believe, less about classrooms or seminars and more about learning from experiences.
In fact, experiential insight is a valuable asset for a leader.
Thus, leadership development is about responding appropriately to situations and then drawing insights from those challenges.
As well, leadership growth isn’t about overconfidence and arrogance during the boom times. Or, being fatalistic during hard times.
Building Impact
Specifically, growing into an impactful leader is about differentiating the best advice from simply good advice.
More fundamentally, impactful leaders are humble enough to ask for help while being fearless enough to inspire action in others.
Impactful leaders inspire others through their fearlessness. Similarly, they influence others through their humility.
Finally, for a person of faith, growing into an impactful leader is very similar to personal spiritual development.
For instance, both require recognition of God’s sovereignty, persistence in the face of challenge, and an openness to consider all options before stepping out in faith.
Hence, impactful leaders are overcomers because they’re intentional about growing professionally and spiritually!
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