Do you have alliances that are mutually beneficial? (87-4)
Effective leaders use all their strength by recognizing, developing and utilizing the people around them. They know how to develop healthy relationships and healthy alliances with those on their own team and those on other teams. Read 1 Samuel 19:1-23:18.
In the dark days when David scrambled from cave to cave to escape death at the hand of King Saul, he turned to his friend Jonathan for strength and encouragement. At great risk to himself, Jonathan warned David and told him to hide out from his father’s wrath for a time (19:2). Each time Saul’s animosities against David resurfaced, Jonathan would again risk his life to help his friend David. Even though Jonathan knew God had chosen David – and not him – to rule Israel, even though he was the king’s oldest son, Jonathan remained faithful to his friend until the very end of his life.
David possessed the foresight to know that he couldn’t go it alone. He worked to build trust and friendship into his leadership. David’s friends and later his forces were loyal to him.
Effective leaders possess the unique ability to build alliances with people on their team. What alliances do you now have that are mutually beneficial? What do you do to foster them and encourage their growth? Can you think of any alliances – professional or personal – that are having a negative impact on you or others on your team? What actions do you need to take to make all your alliances mutually beneficial and positive?
In the dark days when David scrambled from cave to cave to escape death at the hand of King Saul, he turned to his friend Jonathan for strength and encouragement. At great risk to himself, Jonathan warned David and told him to hide out from his father’s wrath for a time (19:2). Each time Saul’s animosities against David resurfaced, Jonathan would again risk his life to help his friend David. Even though Jonathan knew God had chosen David – and not him – to rule Israel, even though he was the king’s oldest son, Jonathan remained faithful to his friend until the very end of his life.
David possessed the foresight to know that he couldn’t go it alone. He worked to build trust and friendship into his leadership. David’s friends and later his forces were loyal to him.
Effective leaders possess the unique ability to build alliances with people on their team. What alliances do you now have that are mutually beneficial? What do you do to foster them and encourage their growth? Can you think of any alliances – professional or personal – that are having a negative impact on you or others on your team? What actions do you need to take to make all your alliances mutually beneficial and positive?
