It is perfectly natural for a leader to enjoy using their gifts and even enjoy the role of being in charge. The issue comes when it goes to their head. Read Proverbs 25:27.

Most individuals with the talent and skill to lead enjoy using the skills of a leader i.e. making decisions, delegating, organization, implementation, etc. When a leader is effective in the application of their skills, some form of privilege usually accompanies their leadership. Solomon’s advice to leaders in verse 27 is to not let success and the perks that go with it create a prideful ego or a self-centered outlook on life.

The leader who refuses to act on what they know is right, who refuses wise counsel, who ignores good advice will end up with a disaster on their hands. Read Proverbs 1:1-33.

Verses 28-32 do not contain comforting thoughts concerning leaders who refuse to apply wisdom. Wisdom threatens to laugh at a leader’s disaster. Wisdom threatens to ignore rebellious leaders who call on her in their time of distress and trouble. On the face of it this may seem like a troubling passage but a closer look reveals the wording is all past tense.

A leader’s humility is sometimes measured by the manner in which they handle loss. Humble leaders don’t point fingers. They accept that even their best effort sometimes isn’t enough. On other occasions a leader’s humility is measured by how well they handle real or potential victories. Humble leaders treat even rivals with honor. Read 1 Samuel 24.

If ever a leader had a reason to grasp victory and gloat, it was David. David had been loyal to God and to Saul. He had not tried to steal Saul’s throne even though he knew God had anointed him as Israel’s next king. David’s only “crime” that had angered Saul was his devotion to God and the courage to defeat the Philistine soldier Goliath which gave him instant fame among the people of Israel.