In a series of posts I reflect upon what we can learn about leadership from David, King of Israel. If this is the first post in the series you have read, please do a quick review of the January 2, 2009 blog titled “David’s lessons on leadership – Intro”; that post outlines why I am looking into David’s life. Also, this is the last post I will write on “David’s lessons”. Next week I will move on to another topic. If there is something on your mind you would like me to write about, let me know.
The previous blog dealt with Reputation – created with character, strengthened by consistency, tested by trials and reflected in how others react to us over time. This post deals with one of the main methods to ultimately judge our leadership. The question is, Will you be carried?
The back-story for this last lesson about David comes from a battle toward the end of his life. We learn from the story that “Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted.”
Each of us has our main strength. It may be speed, physical strength, compassion, mental agility, empathy, speech, creativity or endurance. However, there is some characteristic we know we can count on and we rely upon it when in our moment of greatest need.
What happens when we can no longer count on our greatest strength? What happens when the one thing we have counted on fails us? What happens when the one characteristic we knew would lift us above a crisis is no longer there? We press on it, like a foot pressing a brake pedal connected to a severed brake line. Over and over, but the skill, trait or gift does not respond…
Even a king like David grows old. As he got older, David became unable to fight as he once did. In this battle against the Philistines, David's life was at risk when he wore out physically against a descendant of Goliath. Against the very people that David made his name, David lost the one thing he could always count on – his strength in battle. And how did the people respond? They did not discard him, they did not throw him out; they stood in front him. His men said, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”
How will people react to you when your gift runs its’ course? Will they stand in front of you, protect you, and show you other gifts you still have to give? Other gifts and talents you do not even know you have? Or will they walk past you, neglect you and move on to others? How they react will show you the impact you have made with others. How they react will show you if you have spent a life on your own agenda or spent a life living to serve others. For all his flaws and faults, David tried hard to be true to his beliefs and he did serve his people, Israel. Years of action, decisions, public sacrifices, and atonement demonstrated to the people of Israel who he was and what he stood for and believed in. In return, Israel stood in front of David.
Walter Lippman, an influential writer, journalist and founding editor of The New Republic said, "The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on."
Will the people you lead carry on? Like David, Will you be carried?
1 comment:
Alex,
Thanks for the rich insights into leadership via King David's life. I've enjoyed the journey immensely. Two responses come to mind. First the over emphasis in our society upon youth. In the Bible plus eastern cultures there is deference and respect given to elders which is what is reflected when they carried David. Would our families and society be richer if we embraced that value?
The second thought is the lesson of followership in this account. Great leaders are first great followers such as David's respect for flawed King Saul. Again how much improvement would there be in our companies and culture if we gave as much effort to being a good follower as we do to become a good leader.
What about a series on vision with application of how the business and non-profit circles could synergize together to work on the great problems facing the world such as deforestation, starvation, and disease? The topic is vision and the application is improving the world.
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