Personal security provides a foundation for strong leadership. Effective leaders reduce personal insecurities by understanding their identity in Christ and not finding it in their performance. Re-read 2 Samuel 12:1-14.

In the Maxwell Leadership Bible, John Maxwell discusses Nathan’s security in God:

Effective leaders understand that when a leader fails, the preferred outcome is restoration, not destruction. The restoration process of a leader cannot succeed without careful attention to communication. Read again 2 Samuel 12.

The results Nathan achieved with David would never have been realized if Nathan had talked “to” or “at” David. Nathan succeeded because he communicated in an effective way, tailored specifically for his friend. The following are some elements of communication leaders can learn from the David-Nathan story:

Effective leaders develop healthy relationships with those on their team and with other leaders in a 360-degree circle i.e. those that work for them, beside them and above them. There are times when a leader will use the special bond of a healthy relationship to give needed encouragement that would not be accepted without the relationship and there will be times when a leader needs to draw on the strength of a healthy relationship to confront or counsel other leaders in their sphere of influence. Read 2 Samuel 12.

Nathan had the unenviable job of confronting his friend David, the king of Israel, who had committed despicable acts against the laws of Israel, a friend and God. Nathan knew that his old friend had committed adultery with another man’s wife, had arranged for this man’s murder through a general in his army who put the man in a certain-death combat situation, and that David had effectively covered up these acts by using the power and influence he had as the king.

Leaders generally believe that if they were somehow given an abundance of “personal power” in their position many of their problems would be solved. Equipping power can work to a leader’s advantage but the danger of “power abuse” only becomes real when a leader has an abundance of power. Re-read 2 Samuel 11:1-27.

In The Maxwell Leadership Bible, John Maxwell gives us Five Expressions of Power Abuse:

Effective leaders use the same standards for themselves that they apply to others. They hold themselves accountable just like everyone else on the team. Maintaining such accountability involves seeking 360-degree honesty. Skilled leaders consistently receive feedback from those who work above them, beside them, and for them. Failure to provide a structure for such accountability will lead to a crisis of character and leadership. Read 2 Samuel 11.

David is a different man in 2 Samuel than we have seen previously. Somewhere along the way, he decided he didn’t need to be accountable to either God or his men in order to lead well. He no longer prepared for new challenges. When leaders stop voluntarily making themselves accountable, they stop succeeding.