Leadership Lessons: Solomon
Baseline skills are important for a leader. But, what’s needed for impact are skills that set a leader apart from others.
Ask me for anything! First Kings 3.5 paraphrase
The Story
So, which traits show the character of an impactful leader?
Well, from some early-term incidents in the life of Solomon we find several.
Base-line Skills
For example, Solomon was quick thinking. And, he held others accountable. But, he was also merciful and discerning. Then, he combined those traits with being decisive and action-oriented.
Ok, that’s quite a list!
However, First Kings 3.3-8 adds other traits. As such, it reveals his personal character and faith.
What’s Needed to Have Impact
For instance, Solomon’s life expressed a deep reverence, First Kings 3.3.
Moreover, that reverence made him sensitive to God’s leadership, First Kings 3.5. As a result, he received the blank-check offer to “… ask me for anything …”
In response, he noted God’s faithfulness. Also, he knew God chose him to be king.
And, he did this with humility because he knew the job would be hard.
Solomon recognized that great challenge is often paired with great opportunity!
Leadership Insight
Now, some leadership skills are expected. For example, decisiveness, thinking on my feet, and an action orientation.
In addition, impactful leaders are humble because they recognize it’s not about them.
More importantly, impactful leaders have vision and recognizes opportunity.
In Solomon’s case, he added to this skill set a deeply-reverent character.
Learning From Experience
Later, he pointed out the importance of humility in Proverbs 3.34, saying God gives grace to the humble.
Additionally, he saw reverence as the starting point for applied wisdom, Proverbs 1.7 and Proverbs 9.10.
In short, Solomon later wrote about what he learned.
Therefore, the Proverbs reflect personal experience. And, Solomon’s life shows what impactful leadership looks like.
Apply This Today!
Granted, the precepts are universal.
However, reverence differentiates Proverbs from the other wisdom literature. Thus, reverence is what’s needed for impact.
In addition, impactful leaders grasp opportunity without becoming arrogant or self-consumed.
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