How do you successfully replace a legend leader? (97-3)
Leadership takes on many forms as an organization grows or downsizes, as its climate and environment change.
What remains constant is the moral base required of the leadership.
Read 1 Kings 1:1-9.
Maybe you have experienced what Solomon experienced stepping into his leadership role.
He was about to assume leadership after the greatest leader in Israel’s history. The expectation of the people concerning performance of their leaders was high.
David had set the standard for their expectations over the last 40 years so an entire generation knew Israel as a great nation with leaders revered by all the nations around them. The inner circle of leaders that had received orders from the great King David would now be receiving orders from an 18-year-old and those first decisions would become a first impression that had the potential to form an opinion of Solomon’s abilities that would last throughout his reign.
The neighboring nations were sure that no nation could find another leader with David’s skill so they were hoping for a lesser man. Sounds like a no win situation for Solomon.
Verses 2-4 give us some insight into our preparation should we find ourselves in Solomon’s position. This is also valuable insight if we are developing a succession plan for a revered leader. David’s advice to Solomon concerning his first days on the job, “So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in His ways, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go…”
Verses 2-4 give us some insight into our preparation should we find ourselves in Solomon’s position. This is also valuable insight if we are developing a succession plan for a revered leader. David’s advice to Solomon concerning his first days on the job, “So be strong, show yourself a man, and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in His ways, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go…”
David’s advice, get your moral base right, have an ethical character, live by the core values God has established in His word and you will be all right.
Only after David had dealt with Solomon’s character issues did he make some suggestions concerning some unfinished business Solomon needed to deal with in his first acts as king.
Are you about to step into a leadership role behind a legend? Are you a bit of a legend that is looking for a successor?
Are you about to step into a leadership role behind a legend? Are you a bit of a legend that is looking for a successor?
Character and core values that match God’s established core values are the elements that will give the greatest chance of successful, God-blessable leadership.
David left some thorny issues for Solomon to handle in his first decision as the senior leader but twice in the first nine verses he asserted to Solomon “You will know what to do.”
Effective godly leadership requires decisions and application of skills that come from God-established core values.
