Leaders are simply stewards of the resources God has given them. Read Luke 19:11-26.

During His public ministry Jesus often told stories that illustrated a principles for life. In one of these stories Jesus told about a landowner who, just prior to leaving on an extended trip, gave three men some funds to spend, save, or invest. Each had the freedom to use the money as they saw fit but each would be asked for an account of how they handled the money when the landowner returned. The landowner’s expectation was that these men would be stewards of the money he had given them and, in Jesus’ story, those who had been faithful stewards of the funds were rewarded for their efforts and those who did not steward the funds would be held accountable.

Every team has spoken and unspoken expectations of the person they look to as their leader. Unmet expectations erode the respect leaders should enjoy. Read Proverbs 17:7.

A team’s expectations for their leader are generally much higher than even the leader realizes. According to Proverbs 17:7 (tlb) people don’t expect truth from a maverick or rebel and they don’t expect lies from people in leadership. People, whether in business, the military or ministry, want to follow a leader who can be trusted and they expect their leader to be truthful.

Leadership takes on many forms as an organization grows or downsizes, as its climate and environment change. What remains constant is the moral base required of the leadership. Read 1 Kings 1:1-9.

Maybe you have experienced what Solomon experienced stepping into his leadership role. He was about to assume leadership after the greatest leader in Israel’s history. The expectation of the people concerning performance of their leaders was high. David had set the standard for their expectations over the last 40 years so an entire generation knew Israel as a great nation with leaders revered by all the nations around them. The inner circle of leaders that had received orders from the great King David would now be receiving orders from an 18-year-old and those first decisions would become a first impression that had the potential to form an opinion of Solomon’s abilities that would last throughout his reign. The neighboring nations were sure that no nation could find another leader with David’s skill so they were hoping for a lesser man. Sounds like a no win situation for Solomon.

People follow those whose leadership they respect. The less skilled follow the more highly skilled. In general, followers seek those who are better leaders than themselves. Read Judges 4:1-16.

Few women in Deborah’s day rose to leadership positions but Deborah’s leadership gifts commanded respect of both men and women. Even Barak, the military commander of the northern tribes of Israel, sought her help.