What makes you an influential leader? (80-4)
Sometimes very unlikely candidates can become influential leaders. People do not exclusively follow leaders because they have influential, attractive personality traits but because they have relevant gifts. Read Judges 11:1-31.
Jephthah was Israel’s ninth judge. He was born the son of a harlot, driven out of his home and stripped of his inheritance by his father’s wife’s sons and had to flee the land to escape from his brothers, yet, 11:1 calls him a “mighty warrior.”
Ultimately Jephthah was asked by his kinsmen to come back from exile and lead their army into battle against the people of Ammon. Jephthah is remembered more for an emotional decision that cost him the life of his daughter than his victory against the Ammonites. But as we study Jephthah’s life, we can learn positive and negative principles of leadership.
Jephthah showed positive leadership in verses 7-11 where he clarified both the request and the result needed. Effective leaders get the facts before giving their word. Jephthah also showed positive leadership when he endeavored to negotiate win/win agreements in verses 12-28. Effective leaders try every means of negotiation before entering a situation that will ultimately have to have a loser.
Ironically, although Jephthah modeled these positive lessons, he made a tragic choice before conquering the Ammonites. He impetuously vowed to sacrifice to the Lord “whatever comes out of the door of my house to meet me when I return in triumph.” Effective leaders do not allow themselves to be overcome by emotions or to make commitments in a vacuum. Leaders know they need to weigh up front what they are willing to sacrifice.
When was your last costly decision? Analyze what trait is in your personality that triggered the bad decision. Write a short paragraph concerning how you will prevent similar costly decisions in the future.
