Good leaders know how to balance transparency with being an example. Read Psalm 6:1-10.

In Acts 13:22 God says, “I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart…” David was a powerful individual. God blessed him in battle similar to a modern day superhero yet David never hesitated to reveal his emotions and sometimes his own weaknesses. Even after David became king of Israel and one of the most influential men in the Middle East he openly disclosed his fears, his anxieties, and his ambitions.

Effective leaders use all their strength by recognizing, developing and utilizing the people around them. They know how to develop healthy relationships and healthy alliances with those on their own team and those on other teams. Read 1 Samuel 19:1-23:18.

In the dark days when David scrambled from cave to cave to escape death at the hand of King Saul, he turned to his friend Jonathan for strength and encouragement. At great risk to himself, Jonathan warned David and told him to hide out from his father’s wrath for a time (19:2). Each time Saul’s animosities against David resurfaced, Jonathan would again risk his life to help his friend David. Even though Jonathan knew God had chosen David – and not him – to rule Israel, even though he was the king’s oldest son, Jonathan remained faithful to his friend until the very end of his life.

Every leader needs to “self-evaluate” leadership strengths and weaknesses on a regular basis. A single unguarded weakness can destroy everything that a leader has built. Read Judges 13:3-5, 14:2, 14:6 & 19, and chapter 16.

Samson was special. Before he was even conceived, an angel of the Lord set the stage for his life. Samson was a Nazirite, one set apart for God. God had selected Samson to lead Israel against the Philistines, and his valiant, single-handed battles with Philistine troops attested to his personal bravery and the presence of God’s blessing on his life.