Are you a principle-centered leader? (133-3)

Principle-centered leadership that flows from a base of wisdom and understanding gives a leader a lot more than mere accomplishment against the established objectives. Read Proverbs 4:20-27.

Most leaders seek to develop their leadership skills to become better at their job and more effective in their home. They want to limit mistakes, meet stated objectives, keep projects on time and budget, be an effective manager and good role model for their team, and gain the respect of their peers, supervisors and families. Leaders work hard to be culturally relevant with God’s timeless truths. These are all excellent reasons to develop as a leader but according to Proverbs 4 the benefits go way beyond effectiveness.

According to verse 22 they guide us and give “health to a man’s whole body.” According to verse 23 they are the “…wellspring of life.” I like the way the Living Bible phrases verse 23, “Above all else, guard your affections. For they influence everything else in your life.” The word affection says a lot. Leaders can have an affection to self, power, right principles, etc. Wisdom and understanding establish the grid or filter that determines what will influence everything else in our life.

Wisdom and understanding give leaders the foundation for their character, direct their decisions, and help them correct their lifestyle. Principle-centered leadership that flows from a base of wisdom and understanding will guide a leader, guard a leader and give leaders a gauge that enables them to evaluate where they are in relation to God’s standards. Godly leaders understand the importance of wisdom and understanding to their leadership development and ask God to help them in their search for them.

Proverbs 2:1-6 (tlb) “Every young man who listens to me and obeys my instructions will be given wisdom and good sense (understanding). Yes, if you want better insight and discernment, and are searching for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure, then wisdom will be given you, and knowledge of God Himself; you will soon learn the importance of reverence for the Lord and of trusting Him. For the Lord grants wisdom! His every word is a treasure of knowledge and understanding.”