Humility and Integrity: the Foundation of Leadership

Humility

“David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them (Ps. 78:72). King David was anything but the perfect king. His scandal involved abuse of power, rape, murder, and cover-up. He screwed up, royally. Yet Scripture describes him as a man after God’s heart, and one who shepherded with integrity and skill. How do those descriptors fit a man who committed such crimes?

David responded with humility when confronted. Read the story of the prophet Nathan’s word picture that plucked the former shepherd’s heartstrings and then crushed his hubris. David broke before him, admitted his sin, and repented. He suffered great personal loss afterward. But the man allowed God’s truth to change him and accepted the consequences of his sin. He went on to rule for decades, receiving many blessings during his life and a covenant promise from God that his family line would remain on Israel’s throne.

Prov. 18:12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.

Phil. 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…

James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

1 Peter 5:5  All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

Any leader must be willing to own his or her weaknesses and mistakes. Good leadership doesn’t require perfection. It does require teachability, humility, a willingness to be corrected.

Parents, when your kid fails a class, wrecks the car, sneaks out to smoke pot, add your child’s sin or mistake here, consider holding off on the lightning strike/eternal grounding/immediate punishment. Likely, their decisions will have some natural consequences—the bigger the fall, the harder the impact. If you can stick with them as they pay for their mistakes, encouraging them as they walk through the hard times that naturally follow (rather than rescuing them), and showing them the power of a humble heart, they are so much more likely to grow in wisdom as a result. They will become more effective workers and leaders, knowing that mistakes are opportunities to express regret, reconcile, and improve.