Wise Leadership

The selection process of wise leadership can make or break an organization. We are constantly faced with this in our families, church, work, schools, civic groups, and professional associations. Yet, wise leadership does not come about as a result of pride’s persuasion. It is not found in the “tit for tat” of petty politics. Wise leadership is not discovered through a popularity contest or a sterile assessment. Indeed, a red flag goes up when someone is clamoring to fill a position of leadership. A wise leader would rather be drafted by others than promote himself into a position.

So where do you look for wise leaders? A good place to begin is within the ranks of those who already exhibit wise leadership. You see those leadership traits in the open, authentic environment they create in their work and home, and by their own honesty around personal weaknesses and strengths. Wise leaders are excellent listeners. They listen with the intent to understand. Wisdom desires understanding of what others are thinking and feeling. You observe their wisdom in one-on-one conversation; they know what questions to ask. They challenge you to think, and offer counsel when appropriate.

Wise leaders are not gurus or know-it-alls. On the contrary, they are smart enough to understand the vastness of what they don’t know. Moreover, those who know them best especially respect wise leaders. If a leader fails to command the respect of someone in his or her inner circle, they will also lose the respect of those outside their immediate circle of influence. Respect comes over time by showing respect. It is the result of doing what you say and modeling integrity in living out what you say you believe. Consistent Christ-like behavior invites raving reviews of respect. Wisdom and respect go hand in hand.

Wise leadership points others to God. Any infatuation with a leader as an individual is redirected to their heavenly Father. Wisdom will only remain in a humble heart. It is within the incubator of humility that wisdom germinates and flourishes. The Bible says, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Psalm 25:9). So a wise leader exhibits humility with his heart for God. God can entrust wisdom to the humble of heart, but He is stingy in giving wisdom to the proud, for they cannot be trusted.

The application of wisdom matures relationships, facilitates faith, and grows business and ministry. Hear from the wise before you charge forward with a new opportunity. Ask your parents’ advice about this new relationship. Pray to God for wisdom about your next steps. Wise leaders do not always tell you what you want to hear. Listen anyway. Their words are sometimes hard, and at the time seem intolerant and insensitive, for wisdom makes foolishness uncomfortable. But wise leadership leads you beyond selfish satisfaction. Wise leaders lead you to grow in your relationship with Christ. So, follow wise leaders and be a wise leader. As the opportunity arises, prayerfully select and appoint wise leaders. Wise leadership promotes God’s agenda, and His agenda is wisdom.

Post/Tweet this today: It is within the incubator of a humble heart that wisdom germinates and flourishes. #wiseleadership #wisdomhunters

Additional Resource: 3 minute music video- Gaither’s: What a Day That Will Be

Taken from the May 2nd reading in Seeking Daily the Heart of God v.1

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