Do you take short cuts for those closest to you? (83-5)
The issue of impartial leadership is critical for effective leadership. It is natural to want family or good friends in our leadership world but there are some potential problems leaders should take into consideration. Read 1 Samuel 2:12-17 and 22-36.
In The Maxwell Leadership Bible, John Maxwell writes about Eli’s Leadership: Success as a Priest, Not as a Parent.
Eli’s failure to lead his family eventually led to his downfall as a religious leader. This revered judge in Israel failed to discipline his two sons and ended up rearing spiritual rebels. Eli lost his credibility, his job, and eventually his life.
The Scripture teaches that if we do not faithfully lead our own household, we lack the qualifications to lead beyond the home (1 Timothy 3:4, 5) – in other words, if it doesn’t work at home, don’t export it.
How could a priest like Eli miss the mark? By making some crucial errors.
- Emphasis: Eli emphasized teaching his colleagues and clients, not his family.
- Expectations: Eli thought his sons would “get it” just because they lived in the house of the Lord.
- Example: Eli failed to live out in his home what he taught in his work.
- Entanglements: Eli got so caught up with his profession, he blinded himself to his failure.
Every leader has the potential to have a blind spot. Eli’s blind spot was with his sons. It can be the great blessing of God to have those you love involved in every portion of your life including your work life. There are thousands of stories involving family and friends working together with a happy ending but there are a few like Eli’s that don’t have a happy ending. Wise leaders work hard to insure they do not take short cuts when it involves those closest to them.
James 3:17 “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
