The Narrow Path of True Leadership
By Dean Collins
If you have never read Good to Great by Jim Collins, it is well worth your time. And if you have, you won’t be disappointed to revisit some of his research. In particular, it is interesting to note that only 11 out of 1,435 companies’ CEOs led their company to the kind of longitudinal success he described in his research. I am not suggesting that 99 percent of the CEOs were bad, but rather how hard it is to stay focused on doing the right and best thing as a leader.
Collins suggests that the characteristics the 11 CEOs had were humility and a strong will, their ability to continue to stay determined and focused over the long haul. Most, if not all, of the 11 CEOs didn’t feel qualified or really think they should be the CEO.
When we read 1 and 2 Kings, we learn that the 20 kings of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord. None were called good. In Judah only 8 of 20 make the cut of being called good kings. Leadership is hard!
Recently, I read an article about how many song writers ever have a Billboard hit. It is a very small group. What was the most interesting is that in recent years songwriters work in writing teams. And while working in song writing teams doesn’t automatically guarantee a number one hit on the charts, it does increase the likelihood of success. I think it might be fair to suggest that to work on a team instead of going solo requires some humility and a willingness to rely on others.
When you think back to the words of Moses, Joshua, and Samuel, you discover that singular focus on obedience to God’s word is a foundational criteria for success. Over and over again, we read about the importance of seeking God first, and that he and he alone must be the foundation of all we do. This applies to everyone, regardless of your various roles and titles. The chances of success in everything we do is exponentially greater when we humbly surrender to the Lord as our foundation, savior, and guide.
The bad kings of Israel and Judah failed to rely on God’s promises and thought they could be selective in how and when they paid attention to God and followed him. The results of that kind of thinking were disaster and, ultimately, exile.
Being obedient to God does not guarantee financial or business success. Surrender to God’s will and living a life of faithful service will, however, lead to inner peace and the deep satisfaction of knowing you are aligned with the creator of the universe and therefore being used to bring healing and restoration to the brokenness that exists all around us.
Toward the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said this:
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Better to be among the few who take the narrow and hard road than to make the mistake that many leaders make in choosing to please the crowd and worship the things of this world.
Father, may we learn from those who have gone before us and shown us how to follow you. Today we choose to turn away from the things of the world that call out to us and stay the course, following where you lead us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Deuteronomy 32:45-47; Joshua 22:5; 1 Samuel 7:3-4 ESV
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