King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived provides an excellent jumping off point for developing the character qualities essential to good leadership. Leaders cultivate character by acquiring wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 2:1-11). Of course, those possessions don’t come without a price. They require the kind of dedicated and patient labor exercised in raising godly children. Leaders must diligently “search” for the wisdom that is buried within God’s Word like diamonds covered by layers of earth and rock.
How leaders deal with the circumstances of life reveals much about their character.
ADVERSITY IS A CROSSROADS THAT MAKES A PERSON CHOOSE ONE OF TWO PATHS:
CHARACTER OR COMPROMISE
Consequently, that means using the right tools and exercising patience and diligence as we spend time immersed within this life-changing book. The writer uses words that call his readers to energetic and passionate action. Take a moment to reread verses 1-4 and note the quality of effort Solomon is talking about here.
As we dig, we must ask God to provide us with insight and understanding. Ultimately, only God can open our eyes to see spiritual truth and then enable us to apply that truth to our lives (see Ephesians 1:18). As God fills our minds with wisdom, our character will develop so that we’ll possess the ability to consistently make right choices – choices that are just, fair, and moral.
As we seek to possess God’s wisdom we’ll be able to move beyond simply expressing the vision and values of a leader. We’ll possess the kind of character which lofty visions and values flow. Our character will be truly godly, so that others will delight in following us.
WHAT WE MUST KNOW ABOUT CHARACTER?
1. Character is more than TALK.
Anyone can say they have integrity, but action is the real indicator of character. Your character determines who you are and determines what you see.
2. Talent is a Gift, but Character is a CHOICE.
We don’t get to choose our parents, circumstances of our birth and upbringing, But we do choose our character.
3. Character brings with LASTING SUCCESS with people.
True leadership involves others and people do not trust leaders whose character they know to be flawed.
4. Leaders cannot rise above the LIMITATIONS of their character.
Steven Berglas, a psychologist at Harvard Medical School and author of The Success Syndrome, says that people who achieve great heights but lack the bedrock of character to sustain them through the stress are headed for disaster.
He believes they are destined for one or more of the four A’s: ARROGANCE ALONENESS ADVENTURE-SEEKING (IN A DESTRUCTIVE WAY), OR ADULTERY.
TO IMPROVE MY CHARACTER I WILL DO THE FOLLOWING:
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