Every leader will face times when those around them will not accept their leadership and their only option is to move on. Read Matthew 13:53-58.

When, in the course of His public ministry, Jesus went to His hometown and preached in the synagogue the people were first amazed that someone from their hometown had such wisdom but soon their familiarity with His growing up years and His family that still lived in that area undermined their excitement about His words. They refused to see Him as anything but a carpenter’s son. When this conflict arose, Jesus assessed the situation, recognized that the opposition had their mind made up and would not be convinced, and He moved on to a place where His message was more effective.

Every leader needs someone who will give them wise counsel rather than a rebuke even when they need to vent. Read Matthew 11:1-6.

John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, had been imprisoned by King Herod for publicly holding him accountable for a moral failure. Prison stripped John’s inner circle of support from him and left him emotionally empty. John had a firm grip on his personal identity and mission; he knew he was called to prepare the people for Jesus’ message, but in a moment of weakness questioned Jesus’ identity. He sent his disciples to present his question to Jesus. Instead of reprimanding John for having doubts, Jesus provided the prophet with the information he needed to be strengthened and have his faith renewed.

Conflict management starts with a leader’s attitude. Read Matthew 5:43-45.

Jesus was teaching His disciples some truths that were (and still are) counter cultural. In what many consider His most famous sermon He called His team to be different, to see the world from God’s perspective, to relate to people in a supernatural fashion, and to develop a God-like attitude rather than to accept the popular worldview. With these words, “You have heard that it was said, ‘love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven,” Jesus challenged a culturally accepted norm held by virtually every leader on earth.

The acid test of any leader is, “Can they reproduce their leadership in others?” Read Matthew 4:12-25.

After John the Baptist was arrested by King Herod, Jesus left His home town of Nazareth and moved north to Capernaum near the Sea of Galilee, and started His public ministry. One of His first recorded acts of leadership was to seek other leaders who would join Him in His cause. The Bible does not tell us how long Jesus ministered near the Sea of Galilee before He started selecting others to join His mission but it may have been some time since verse 17 says, “From that time on Jesus began to preach…” He was there long enough to get to know the community and observe the potential leaders there before He started building His team. It is interesting that Jesus did not choose leaders from the religious world to tell others about the plans of God; He chose steady, hardworking men of character with a passion for God.

Wise leaders are purveyors of hope. Read Zephaniah 3:8-20.

God had spoken and the people of Judah and Jerusalem would be judged for their attitude, treacherous behavior, lack of justice, and arrogant self-righteousness but Zephaniah’s prophecy ended with hopeful words about their long-term future. Zephaniah offers a plan for repentance and helps the people see a way back to God.