Proverbs 15.33 says reverence is the entry point into a precept-driven life. In turn, being precept-driven brings influence. However, the prerequisite for influence is humility.
Building Influence
One short-listed role of a leader is influence.
In fact, influence is a critical trait for moving a leadership team forward toward a common goal. Moreover, there’s limited inspiration and motivation for the team absent a leader’s influence.
Well then, what are some prerequisites for having influence as a leader? Actually, this one may be easier to answer in the negative.
For example, there’s no leadership influence without:
First, mutual trust between team members and the leader.
Second, a just character in the leader as expressed by good sense.
Third, a proven track record of accomplishment by the leader.
Fourth, the leader’s ability to treat team members with discretion, thus in a way that’s fair and equitable.
Fact is, you can certainly think of other leadership traits, such as deep and careful thoughtfulness, that will impact the ability of a leader to influence team members.
The Prerequisite for Influence
Interestingly, Proverbs 15.33 highlights the leader’s humility as the prerequisite for influence.
Similarly, other verses address trust, justice, and competence as key leadership traits.
However, Proverbs 15.33, as repeated in Proverbs 18.12, focuses on humility. As a result, a leader enjoys the outcome of humility – influence, which is worded as honor in some translations.
So, why humility?
Again, negative examples may be an easy entry point into an answer. For example, Proverbs 18.12 compares the destructiveness of arrogance with the influence of a humble character.
An arrogant character is as destructive as humility is influential. Proverbs 18.12 paraphrase
In addition, a humble leader is a learning leader.
Remember, in Proverbs 1.22 wisdom begs the crowd to be learners. In so doing, they put aside hardheadedness, shallowness or simple-mindedness, and being a know-it-all.
Why is simple-mindedness so widespread? Well, because it’s so … simple!
Thus, in place of being a know-it-all, an influential leader must become a learn-it-all. Unfortunately, without humility, there’s no learning on the part of the leader.
Pride, disdain, and stubbornness are deadly traits for a leader. Why? Because an overconfident know-it-all influences no one but the most gullible!
Truly, humility is the prerequisite for influence.
The Role of Reverence
All that said, I believe the most essential reason for humility in a leader is the opening phrase of Proverbs 15.33. Why? Because there we read that reverence is the entry-point into learning the universal precepts.
Moreover, reverence facilitates precept-driven leadership that is influential.
Actually, this fundamental connection between reverence and learning is repeated several times in Proverbs.
For instance, see Proverbs 1.7 and Proverbs 9.10. Also, Proverbs 2.5. In addition, Proverbs 8.13 where we learn that reverence steers us away from arrogance.
Leadership Impact
Humility is the source of leadership influence. Similarly, influence is the ultimate outcome of humble leadership!
In addition, see Proverbs 29.23, where we read the phrase “influence will uphold the humble.”
Basically, the Hebrew word for uphold (tamak) is also used in Isaiah 41.10. In short, it describes how God upholds, or supports, those who aren’t fearful but who are rightly related to Him.
By examining these prior two references, we see that humility is an aspect of a just character. As a result, my character as a leader is closely tied to my level of influence.
However, these two references, and others, introduce the connection between divine protection and humility.
For example, see Psalm 41.12, because it combines divine preservation and a just character. There, David observes that God upholds (tamak) him in his integrity.
A just character positions the leader for divine intervention and protection.
Therefore, here’s the progression leaders must understand:
A humble and just character brings leadership Influence and provides divine protection.
Influence Multiplied
To be clear, I don’t believe the logic here is circular. Instead, we are learning about the reinforcing quality of humility as a vital character trait of a leader.
Most clearly, we also see the destructiveness of being a know-it-all who listens to no one. And, we see the impact of a humble and learning character on a leader’s influence.
In short, without a humble character, a leader influences only a few because most team members are not naive enough to confuse arrogance with decisiveness.
Conversely, a leader who is a listener and a learner enjoys a dramatic multiplication of his or her influence because of that humility. In turn, that leadership influence carries or upholds the leader in executing leadership duties.
Listening and learning give evidence of humility!
Leadership Insight
Now the obvious question. When, or in what situations, does influence carry, or uphold, or lend credibility to a leader?
Well, think of when you as a leader are most reliant on the credibility you have built up with your direct reports and others.
In other words, when does a leader need to make a withdrawal from the First National Bank of Influence?
Lead During Challenge
In general, the answer is a leader leans most heavily on influence during times of challenge and stress. Here are a few examples:
1). The organization is facing a serious, external threat. In addition, the leadership team is facing conflicting options about the best way to respond and move forward.
2). There are allegations of improper behavior by the leader, or someone close to the leader. To be clear, this isn’t a matter of two different options for explaining the same behavior. Instead, the leader’s character is being questioned but all the facts are not yet on the table.
3). There’s a personal need from someone. Worse yet, the leader is faced with the options of a strict and narrow, policy-based response or trying to find a way to address the need in a way that is viewed as impartial and fair to all.
Most basically, in these, and similar situations, the leaders influence and credibility are tested.
So, what’s the answer to these situations? As it turns out, there’s no easy answer! Thus, that’s why your the leader!
Leaders must build influence in the good times. Otherwise, there’s no credibility for the leader to draw from when challenges arise.
Leaders build influence in the good times by having a humble character. That influence, in turn, is what carries or upholds the leader during challenging times.
Be that leader!
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