"The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy is understanding." ~Proverbs 9:10

The most basic question anyone can ask and answer is "who am I?" Three basic world views address this question today. One is that I am an "uncaused" being that just evolved by chance. The second is that the universe itself is "God" and as a part of that universe, I too am a part of "God". The third world view is that I am a created being (in a created universe) that is seperate and distinct from the Creator.

Each of these answers to who you are has huge ramifications for your sense of purpose, reason for being and every decision you make in life. The bible reinforces this idea in the verse above by stating that the whole stream of decision making (wisdom) in one's life comes out of understanding that God exists and knowledge of His nature and purpose (His Holiness).

In the business world, it is equally important to come to grips with why an organization exists, how it came into being, and what its purpose is. Just as individuals struggle without a clear identity, so does any organization. This is why all sound strategy formulation starts with getting the mission of the organization agreed upon by its key stakeholders.

PRINCIPLE:
Just as every decision an individual makes flows out of their identity, so it is for any organization. An organization without a mission is an accident.

"And Cush brings forth Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth..." ~ Genesis 10:8

The first information recorded about Nimrod was that he began to be a "mighty one" - a powerful, influential, perhaps even brave individual. Such traits often result in a growing leadership role in societies or organizations. However, as a person's influence grows, inevitably, deeper, more important leadership traits are tested and become more visible.

Nimrod is no different. Later in scripture we see that his power and influence grows to the point he was able to found multiple city/states. One of them (Babylon)  became one of scripture's most famous examples of leadership failure. Nimrod was able to convince a large group of people to engage in a vision to build a tower unto the heavens to "build a name for themselves". Unfortunately this strategy had a fatal flaw. It was at cross-purposes with a more powerful being - the God who created him and all his "subjects". His leadership ended in confusion and failure because he did not understand his own place in the world. He became arrogant and misunderstood his own capability and limitations, and his motives were completely misplaced.

PRINCIPLE:
Many people show the external skills of leadership such as communication, intelligence, and raw strength, but few show the lasting internal character required to complete the package. Don't be in a hurry to become a leader; make sure you are developing your internal capability to match your external traits. It is a process that can not be rushed.
       

" ...a people who provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens and making offerings on bricks..." ~ Isaiah 65:3

 "You have wearied the LORD with your words...by saying, “Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them.” ~ Malachi 2:17

In this passage, God is particularly wearied  by leadership that tells the people what they want to hear; they don't just overlook wrong-doing. They go so far as to declare evil acts as "good" in the sight of God. This kind of leadership has two separate but related consequences. First, doing "wrong" things never works out right over the long term. There are bad outcomes for violating the fundamental principles God has established for mankind. Lying, stealing, cheating - dishonesty of any kind weakens society and ultimately leads to deterioration in society and the quality of business and life itself.  The second consequence, in this case, is a result of slandering God's character by saying that He endorses certain behavior that in fact He doesn't. Not honoring God leads to a loss of blessing and God's favor. It is an affront to His name and His honor. It is the ultimate foolish act to do this knowingly. 

PRINCIPLE:
One of the toughest leadership roles is knowing right from wrong and being willing to act on that knowledge. Failure to do so may appear to be expedient in the short term, but the long term price for such character failings is high.

"For I too am a man under authority with soldiers under me..." ~ Matthew 8:9

In this story, a Roman centurion sends word to Jesus asking him to heal his servant. He does not request Jesus to come physically to his servant, but instead to just "speak the word" - just say that he is healed. Jesus marvels at this man's faith. And the centurion's response is that he recognizes Jesus' authority extends to places he is not physically present, just as his own authority in the Roman army does.

The best leaders are people who understand both that they have authority AND that they are under authority as well. Authority that is not under authority turns into arrogance, and if left unchecked, a form of tyranny. As you consider your own leadership style, ask how willingly you submit to authority. To whom do you make yourself accountable? This is a particularly challenging question to those who found (start) businesses and are at the top of an organization because they are both CEO and owner. 

PRINCIPLE:
Those that are best at exercising their authority are those who recognize they are under authority as well. Even the U.S. Congress (at one time) recognized that we were "a nation under God".

"Oh that there were one among you who would shut the doors, that you might not kindle fire on my altar in vain!" ~ Malachi 1:10

In this verse, God expresses His exasperation (if God gets expasperated?) at the temple priests who have knowingly supported the people of Israel bringing offerings that are damaged, sick and even decaying. The standard for offerings in those times were to give God the "best" and "first" from your flock. Of course, God is very unhappy with playing second or third fiddle behind all of their other priorities. But He has a special disgust for the leaders who are not living up to their role. Their role is to set standards and challenge people to do what is right but instead they have abandoned that role and even encouraging such gifts.  In the verse above, God cries out for some leader to admit the farce that is going on and shut down the temple. The implication being, He would rather have no offerings that ones that are a joke. 

What a lesson in leadership!

Our country, our businesses, and our families need leaders. People who understand what their role is and "stand up" in that role. Building an organization that knows where it is going, and knows how to fight the daily battles of getting there requires leadership. Leadership at every level in the organization. It's much more than strategic leadership three to five years out. It's the kind of personal leadership exercised every minute of every day when you are tempted to be distracted by less important things, or when you're tempted to deliver second best because "no one will know".

PRINCIPLE:
The best way to build leaders is by example. It requires knowing your role and having the courage to live up to that role. Because courage is infectious, those who exhibit such courage soon find they are not alone.