Are your alliances healthy or harmful? (89-4)

Healthy alliances are critical if a leader is to achieve their potential. When a leader works harder they only “add” to their output, when a leader works through healthy alliances they “multiply” their output. Read 1 Samuel 30:26-30.

By distributing part of the plunder to the elders in various parts of Israel, David wisely promoted goodwill with potential allies. He understood the importance of planning for the future and building relationships based upon trust and mutual benefit that would serve him well in the years ahead. Leaders who look for strong alliances (relationships) can build a store of relational resources that can be of immeasurable value in times of change or crisis. Given the choice, few leaders would opt for isolation.

The most important alliance any leader can experience is with God, and this alliance in turn should be reflected in the way a leader relates to others. The body of Christ provides a network of personal and group alliances that are critical to a leader’s spiritual well-being.

Care needs to be taken when forming alliances to insure they are healthy and will be beneficial to both parties. David’s alliances were healthy alliances. He chose wisely. Healthy alliances benefit a leader. The flip side is also true. Unhealthy alliances can erode a leader’s character and convictions. Consider the alliances you have forged over the years – which were healthy and which were harmful? Effective leaders do not allow a past bad alliance to keep them from looking for future healthy alliances.