Foundations of Leadership

Proverbs 5:1-2 (NIV) My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.

A battle rages in our culture. Truth (with a capital “T”) and “the lie” are at war.

When working with people about leadership foundations, it is interesting to see how the culture is “taking ground” in this battle, even in the “Christian” community. We have not done well in understanding the ramifications of this war. We have ceded territory needlessly. It’s time to stop.

As I have written before, to whom you look for wisdom determines – well, everything. Are we, like Solomon? Solomon never assumed that truth was relative and that morality was a function of personal choice.

When wrestling with your personal purpose and your ethical framework (as R.C. Sproul points out, “Ethics is about ought to be and morality is about ‘what is’ ”) our worldview is critical. Does Truth have an absolute foundation? Or has our ethical system morphed to reflect polling – a 51% determination of the will of the people within a given group, culture or system. Might makes right. Right? Wrong.

The Apostle Paul said about Christ; "for in him are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" and that is Truth with the capital “T.” Not might. Right.

The predicate of this principle is not only that your view of others will not be self-serving (maintain discretion), but also what you say builds the continuity of useful knowledge based on the absolutes of Truth. Leadership that honors others and builds a legacy – it begins at this source.

Do you “pay more attention” to God or man?”



Copyright ©2010 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Fundamentals

Prov. 2:2 (NAS) Make your ear attentive to wisdom; incline your heart to understanding; 2:9 (NKJV) Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.


Business schools demand certain perquisites to take advanced classes. Those “fundamental” classes lay the foundation for the deeper thinking required.

So also, Biblical Leaders have foundational classes; not only are we to “tune into” wisdom, we are to apply wholeheartedly what we have learned – it is an action consisting both of reason (thinking) and will (behavior). Inclining [our] heart goes to our purpose – why we were created. If the "chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever," we start that journey by acknowledging we need to first learn wisdom from our Creator.

The result? Effective and Godly leaders will develop an understanding of the impact of four attributes that shape leadership.

• Righteousness – here meaning conformity to an ethical standard. Word most often used in reference to judges who, looking at the law (standard), rule without partiality. Leaders have an ethical standard that is absolute and grounded and does not shif depending on the situation.
• Judgment – here emphasizing the application of the standard, even in a state of ambiguity. Ethics is lived out in the real world where all things are not black and white: it is one of the ramifications of eating from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. It’s tough out there. Our ego will often cloud our judgment – at least that’s been my experience. I, too often, make decisions based on what Griff thinks – not what God thinks. Conforming to the image of Christ is an every day commitment of will.
• Equity – here used in a clear legal context means simply level or straight. The drive to “know ourselves” (wisdom) gives birth to behaving in a way that is “true.” I understand the difficulty here: one can have the best intentions: behavior, however, is what makes the impact. Can’t be a “straight-shooter” unless the heart is plumb, level and straight. That takes lifelong work.
• Knowing every good path. Every. Catch that. Take it from one who has stumbled along. Fallen often. “Every” is a tough standard. Interesting that this word for “good” has a practical meaning – economic benefit. I’m sure that “a good path” was presented as an option that I choose to ignore. It’s that “heart” thing again. One must will to choose the good path. Every time.

Have you taken your fundamental classes yet? Need a refresher course. I know I do.

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell