Inspirational Bible Quotations for Ethical Corporate Leadership

Fr. Damianus Abun, SVD
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The correction is done

A Good leader should have the courage, discipline and determination 

James, 1:12: “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the lord has promised to those who love him”.  

Nothing comes easy. Leading people, organizations or a country is not an easy job to be done.  It is a challenge that one must face with great courage. There can be a lot of challenges internally and externally and a leader must navigate how to face the wave that is brought by internal problems and external challenges brought by changing environment.  Amidst those challenges, a leader should have courage, discipline, and determination.  These are the characteristics of leadership in turbulent times. A great leader who possesses those characteristics can bring great success even within an uncertain environment, though it also comes at the cost of being judged and overwhelmed.

Great Leader is Persistent in Doing Good

Gal, 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”.

The first requirement to be a good leader is good intention.  Good intention includes a good plan for the organization and a good plan for all people and for the employees, not for one's self.  Though there can be a lot of situations surrounding leadership in which one has the temptation to quit amidst uncertainties, confusion, and problems but St. Paul’s advice is to continue doing good for the people, for the organization and you will be there, you will reap its fruit in due time. Patience and endurance in doing good is the first key to leadership success.

A Great Leader is leading by Example

Hebrew, 13:7 “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith”

Employees or followers may not be purely convinced or influenced by the skills or expertise the leader has because employees or followers may be better than the leader. Employees or followers can be influenced by the way of life of their boss. A leader who leads by his/her good example will inspire his followers to do the same.  He/she becomes the source of inspiration for his/her employees or followers. 

A good leader is building confidence 

Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous hand”.  

There are times that employees/followers are hesitant to be creative and to do some initiatives because of fear that they might not be getting the support they need, or they might be abandoned when they commit mistakes.  There are many cases in which a leader blames employees or followers when things go wrong but takes the credits when things go right. Isaiah’s advice to be a good leader is to build confidence in the followers that you are not going to abandon them, but you are going to help them all the way, in good times and bad times.   

Developing another leader is the measure of the success of leadership. 

John 3: 30, “He must become greater, I must become less”.

St. John was not interested in promoting himself and holding on the power. Even though he starts building up a lot of notoriety, as soon as Jesus comes on the scene, John takes the back seat—eventually losing his life. This must be the attitude and behaviour of a good leader, to give way and train others to take the place or the position. It is the law of nature that leaders are not living forever because they grow old and die. Leadership is not also a permanent position that one can hold indefinitely. There are times that one should step down from the position and give way to another one. Therefore, the crucial job of a leader is to train the people around him to be a leader to take his/her place. One should be able to let go of the power and allow others to grow to be a leader and this can happen if there is humility.

A Good leader knows how to treat employees with Respect

Matthew 7:12, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sump up the law and the prophet”

Though a leader has the power to hire and fire, such power does not mean that he/she can do everything for his employees. The position is not forever and there will be also a time that a leader becomes a follower and a follower becomes a leader. Imagine how you want to be treated by your leader in the future.  That must be the basis of how a leader treats his/her employees now.  If you want to be respected, then you must respect your employees.

A leader is a Servant 

Matthew, 20:26, “Not so with you.  Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant”.

John 13: 13-17 “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”.

A leader is not a boss who wants to be served and who wants to be the first one always to be recognized. Whatever the nature of the leadership position is, whether it is political or business leadership, the role of the leader is a servant. The position is to serve the needs of people, or the employees. In this case, a leader takes priority of the needs of people or employees before his/her own needs. Determine the needs of his/her people or employees and fulfil them. Jesus isn’t asking his followers to humble themselves in grand and figurative ways. He literally wants us to get on our hands and knees and serve those who follow us.

A Good Leader values others above himself   

Philippians, 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves”.  

Leaders achieve their goals through others, not by themselves alone.  The organization’s goals are attained through the hard work of employees. Thus, the employees should be the ones to be given credit and to be recognized and not the leader. But many times, leaders are the ones to be praised, to be recognized when things go right but when things go wrong, the employees are the ones to be blamed. A leader as a servant always values others above himself/herself.  He/she gives credit to the employees. In other words, a leader is not selfish but gives more honours to others than to himself/herself. The only sure way that one can serve the organization and people well is to avoid leadership pitfalls such as self-aggrandizement, posturing, greediness, empty ambition, etc. but to value people above ourselves.

A Good leader is after the Interest of his/her people/employees

Philippians, 2:4, “not looking for your own interest but each of you to the interest of the others”.

A good leader is not after his/her own interest but after the interest of others or employees. When he/she makes a decision, he/she considers first the interest of others. When he/she decides, he/she thinks first about how his/her decision will affect others. He considers the effect of his/her decision on others, not on himself/herself, if the decision will bring more good to others, the employees or only to a small group of people. He/she can only commit to doing things if they will bring greater happiness to the greater majority of people.

A Good leader is Sincere

Proverbs, 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”.

Many times, leaders or managers cannot sustain their energy to continue what they are doing. Often time they abandon the project or plan along the way. The energy to proceed or to implement the project is not there because those projects or plans are not really coming from their own heart. They do not love what they are doing but they do it for the sake of promotion, recognition or pay increase. A good leader is sincere and does things not because of external pressures but because he/she wants to do it and it is the right thing to do. The energy to pursue the plans or projects will be sustained when he/she knows it is the right thing to be done.

A good leader is a role Model for Good Values

1 Timothy 3:2, “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable and able to teach”.

Nowadays criteria to be chosen to be a leader are no longer based on the moral values of the person but based on his/her popularity, his/her money and political connections. Moral values are no longer part of the consideration. No wonder we see a dichotomy in leadership. Leaders live differently from what they say. It seems hard to see leaders who are above reproach, faithful to their wives, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable and able to teach. This may not only happen in political leadership, but it also happens in business leadership. They lack moral ascendancy to rule. People follow them because of their power to hire and fire only.

A good leader should have skills and spiritual values

1 Timothy 4:8, “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come”

As a leader, skills are an important requirement for him/her to be able to lead and perform the job. Skill updates are important to stay up to date with the current technology in doing things because, without it, one can fail. However, beyond skills, a leader should also be updated along his/her spiritual values because spiritual values are the inner light and strength to be able to see the right path and maintain the strength to perform the job.

A Good leader is concerned for his followers/ flocks and for himself/herself too

Proverbs 27:23-24, “Be sure you know the conditions of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds, for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations”.

Acts 20: 28 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood”.

A good leader should not concern so much about accumulating wealth for himself/herself. Though riches afford him/her some comforts, but those do not last forever. There will be a time that everything is gone and left nothing but love and care for people will remain in the heart of people and God. A good leader should concern with the welfare of his followers or employees, not only in terms of material aspects but also in the spiritual or emotional aspects of his/her followers or employees. Focusing so much on work and neglecting the emotional aspect of the employees is the same as treating employees like machines. Beyond watching the need or the emotional condition of his/her employees, a leader should also watch over himself/herself. If the attention is only given to those he/she is leading, he/she is neglecting his/her own needs. One cannot lead and manage well when he/she is sick. He/she needs to make sure that he/she is healthy if he/she wants to adequately lead others.      

A good Leader is not after power to control and dominate but the power to serve the rest.

Mark 10, 42-45, “Jesus called them together and said, “you know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man do not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many”.

In many occasions such as parties, there is always what we call the “Presidential Table”. This table is reserved for the VIPs (the very important personalities). VIPs are referring to those who are in positions of authority. They are given special treatment and favour and in fact, no activity can start until they are around. They are after recognition and special treatment, they are representing the gentiles, in this case. But Christian leadership is doing otherwise. He/she is not after power, recognition, and special treatment but after service, after work. It is the people he/she serves, recognizes and respects, not otherwise.

A good leader is an example of humility and leading by his example.

John 13:13-17, “You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, Your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example, that you should do so as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them”.  

Servant leadership requires humility. It is not a title, but it is a service.  A servant leader is not a person who is sitting in his office and expecting everyone to come to serve him, but he/she is a person who is going down to the lowest level to serve those who are at the lowest level of society. He/she understands the position of leadership as an opportunity to serve the need of people and not for grandstanding. By simply doing the work of a servant he/she can inspire others to follow and serve one another.

A good leader is concerned for the skill training and development of his/her subordinates

Ephesians 4:11-13, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and the teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ”.

We must accept the fact that an organization needs good human resources to grow. An organization can grow better and achieve its vision mission if all people who are working for it are equipped with the necessary skills to perform the job. When they are not equipped, then the organization fails. Thus, the concern of leadership is to analyze the jobs and audit its human resources if they are capable of the job. Based on such analysis, then identify employees who need training in order to improve their performance. Training and development is one of the areas of concern of leadership. Organizational growth depends on the development of its human resources.

A good leader must be clean and self-controlled.

Titus 1:7 “Since an overseer manages God’s households, he must be blameless, not overbearing, not-quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain”

The leadership position is a centre where all eyes are looking at. All movement of a leader is being watched and scrutinized. Clean leader-managers gain respect and trust from employees and consequently can influence employees to follow him/her. The case of dishonesty can affect the trust of employees toward the leader and can affect his/her power to influence the employees to follow him/her.  Beyond cleanliness/honesty, a good leader should also be able to control himself/herself when under pressure. It is fact that organizational life will never go away from problems and those problems can affect the mood of a manager or leader when dealing with the employees. Being quick-tempered and violent toward the employees does not bring any good to the organization and relationship climate. It destroys trust and respect from the employees.

A Good leader is chosen based on his/her trustworthiness and knows how to delegate authority

Exodus 18:21: “But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, the fifties and tens”

Corporate leaders should be chosen based on their trustworthiness. They should be better than others in terms of their moral values. If he/she does not have the intelligence, at least he/she is worthier in terms of moral values than others. Besides possessing moral values, he /she should know how to delegate authority. 

Even during Moses’ time, he was already advised to distribute responsibilities to other worthy individuals. The same advice is still applicable in our days. When one is assigned to lead and manage, it does not mean that he/she takes care of everything. When handling a small organization or business, maybe it is possible for a person to supervise and take control of everything. But when the organization or business has grown bigger in size and operations, one man is not enough to take care of everything. The structure has to be designed and jobs have to be designed and described. Each job with its duties and responsibilities has to be given to another person to handle or manage. Once the jobs are distributed to different individuals, a leader-manager does not need to take control of everything but allows different heads to exercise their power over their area of responsibility. Different heads are given the responsibility to decide over whatever matters arise in their area of responsibility. Since different heads are also leader-managers, therefore they have to screen well, and the qualifications must be based on their capability and trustworthiness. A good leader will always look for and empower others to be leaders by sharing power and authority.

Good leadership is solidly grounded on Righteousness

Psalm 37: 16-17 “Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked; for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the Lord upholds the righteous”

Proverbs 29:2 “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when a wicked man rules, people groan”.

There is always the temptation to follow the lead of those who are wealthy and powerful through wicked means. However, we have enough lessons to learn in life that achieving the ends by all means or by wicked means will not last forever. Companies that are making a lot of money in the short term through immoral means do not last forever, they went bankrupt. A good leader should always be grounded on righteousness in decision-making. Doing the right thing is the moral command. Do not be tempted to follow the path of the devils in achieving organizational goals. Though righteousness does not guarantee short-term success, but it guarantees long-term success because people are happy to work with righteous leaders. Wicked leaders do not bring happiness to the workplace but unhappiness and such a climate will always bring disasters to the organization and employees. 

A Good Leader Knows how to choose his words

Psalm 37: 31-32 “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip”.

The position of leadership can be influential. In many instances, his words and action are seen as policies or examples to be followed by people. A good leader’s words will bring light and life.  Knowing such effect, a leader is advised to be careful in his words and actions. Further, a leader needs to pay attention to the things they say because their words are an indicator of their spiritual condition or their moral uprightness. Their words and actions reflect who they are. A good leader knows how to control his mouth, and choose his words and actions. Emotional outbursts and expressing vulgar language publicly can bring negative effects on the listeners or followers and at the same time can affect the credibility of the leader. 

A Good leader leads with Integrity

Psalm 78:72 “And David shepherded them with the integrity of heart; with skilful hands, he led them”.

One can’t underestimate the power of leadership. A leader’s influence over his/her people is not just emanated from his/her skills, knowledge and position but it is also emanated from his moral integrity. Leading requires integrity. He/she can influence people to follow him/her not by words and not by commands but by the values he/she lives. Moral integrity means moral intactness, in the sense that a leader has no issues over immorality; the leader has not been accused of wrongdoings. Though it might be too ideal for human leadership, however, that is the ideal for a leader to live up to. He must be better in terms of moral integrity than his /her followers.

A Good Leader Maintains Sanity of heart

Proverbs, 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it”

Bible understands heart represents our emotional, intellectual, and moral centre. We need to protect it because, as the Proverb says, everything flows from that centre. One can maintain a sanity of heart by persistently doing or practicing good values, and avoiding the temptation of corruption. A virtuous leader is achieved not by instance but through constant practice of good or moral behaviour. The test of strong moral character and moral leadership is when a leader does not allow himself/herself to go with the devil, though it is tempting. The advice is that if you want your leadership to have deep roots which will eventually lead to healthy fruit, you need to weed out a compromise and shortcuts.  

Good Leader always Learns and Improves

Proverbs, 22:29 “Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.”

To be effective is not enough to rely on moral values or integrity. Moral values or integrity are necessary ingredients for leadership but to be efficient and effective in carrying out his/her duties and responsibilities, he/she needs skills. The technologies are changing and thus methods of doing things are also changing. Therefore, for a leader to be able to carry out his functions, he/she needs to be equipped with the latest necessary skills to perform the job. Keep on learning. The advice is that if you want to increase your influence, you’ll invest in your abilities. The more skilled a leader is, the more he/she will find himself/herself in demand.

A good Leader should be Courageous.

Proverbs 24:10 “If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength”

This Proverbs reminds us that leadership is not going to be easy. It is a challenge that a leader should face with courage. One cannot expect that everything is easy because there will be always times that a leader must face a lot of problems. A good leader should not be discouraged by those challenges and give up on those challenges, but he/she must face them squarely.  Often people say that leaders are needed when the road gets rockiest and the path is unsure. A leader’s mental ability is truly tested in the toughest moments.

A Good leader monitors the condition of his people and resources

Proverbs 27: 23-24 “Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations”

Organizational goals can be attained when the employees are happy, healthy, skilful, united and financial resources are stable. The job of a leader is not just about the work itself and the skills but the one who performs the job which includes their feelings, their health and working relationships among employees. A leader should monitor if his/her employees are still happy, healthy and united because these are critical factors to move the organization up. A leader should give attention to the sentiments and even the health of their employees. A leader also should monitor the working relationship among employees if they are cooperating in carrying out their duties and responsibilities.   Beyond that, a leader should monitor his spending because money can be easily spent. Do not spend blindly.

A Good leader prioritizes stability

Proverbs 29:4 “By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down”

This is the main purpose of leadership is to maintain stability and to bring up the organization. He/she can only do that by practicing justice for all those who are working for the organization. He/she should be fair to all and including himself/herself. He /she cannot prioritize himself /herself over the other. The organization is shaky when people are not treated justly and when the leader is pursuing his/her own interest. People believe that when it is uncompromisingly focused on doing justice, everything flourishes but when they begin looking for ways they can benefit from their position, things begin to fall apart. 

A Good leader understands that he/she is human

Isiah 55: 8-9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts”.

This text put a leader in a context, that he/she is not God, he /she is not perfect, and only God is perfect. His/her ideas can be wrong. He/she doesn’t have all the answers, even if everyone thinks he/she does. Such a reality has to be embraced by a leader. Only by embracing such reality, a leader can open his/her ears to listen to the ideas of his/her employees. Dialogue, discussion and democratic leadership work when the leader understands that he/she is not perfect.   

Good leader puts himself/herself in the shoes of his followers

Mathew 7: 12 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for these sums up the Law and the Prophets”.

It may be easy to command employees to do what you want them to do for you or for the organization. But often time the leader keeps commanding and imposing deadlines without knowing the employees’ situation. A good leader should enter the world of employees and feel like one of them. Imagine yourselves as an employee and how you want to be treated. It must be the attitude of a leader when he/she is commanding his/her subordinates. If you do not want to be humiliated publicly, then you should not humiliate your employee publicly. If you do not want to be scolded in front of other people, then never do it to your employees. If you love the flexibility, then give some room for flexibility and freedom.

A good leader understands his/her job as a service.

Mathew 20:26 “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant”

Mark 10: 42-45 “Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Luke 22: 26 “But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest and the one who rules like the one who serves”.

Jesus knows very well the situation in which those who are called leaders do not understand the meaning of leadership. They see leadership as a social status symbol to be honoured, recognized, and respected and to be served. They love front seats in the party and on official occasions. This is against the concept of being the youngest. In a certain culture, the youngest is the least important person in the family. They’re not getting the attention, the blessing, or the inheritance. Jesus changed the concept of leadership that the main agenda of a leader is service and the position he/she holds is a service and he/she is a servant. He /she is installed to serve the need of the employees or people. A good leader would always prioritize the needs of his/her employees before his/her own needs. He/she is the last to be considered. Being in the position of leadership is an opportunity to serve the need of people and not for pursuing a personal interest. However, in our time, often a time when people aspire to leadership, it often stems from a hunger for significance. This is a dangerous reason to seek leadership because of personal interest.

Good leader understands leadership as a bigger responsibility

Luke 12: 48 “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked”.

The leadership position is a big responsibility. It is not an easy job because much will be demanded from a leader by his people. People have great expectations once the new leader is installed. People expect change and expect improvement in their quality of life. Going against such expectations will be the downfall of the leader. This is the reason why many people are hesitant to take a leadership position because it comes with it big responsibility and only those who do not know the meaning of leadership are excited to be in the position.

A good leader is not a pretender

Romans 12:3 “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you”.

There are leaders who speak big words just to convey to their followers that they are intelligent and great, though they are not. They discuss big plans just to get the impressions that they are capable of doing it even though they are not capable of doing it. They are not true to themselves and to others. A good leader should be simply himself/herself and not to be pretending to be other than he/she is. Be honest with yourself and say truthfully about yourself, and who you are and say only what you can do.  It’s also important to recognize that a leader isn’t above anyone else but works beside them to meet everyone’s goals.

A good Leader is consistently doing good

Galatians 6: 9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”.

One should know that one cannot attain his/her goals unless he/she is persistent in pursuing his/her goals. Problems may be encountered along the way, but a good leader should not abandon his plan, or his desire to continue pursuing the good plan. Keep on doing what is right. The fruits of the efforts may not be seen immediately but he/she is assured that if he/she is persistently doing good, doing what is right and doing the right things, then there will be the time he/she harvests the fruits of his/her labour. A good leader does not surrender to problems, but he/she sees the problems as challenges and lessons to learn.

A good leader is always content.

Philippians 4: 12-13 “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength”.

Contentment is peaceful ease of mind. It’s being satisfied with what you have, whatever that is. Sometimes you will experience the comfort and sometimes you will suffer want. But whatever is going on in your life, you’re pleased about it. This must be the attitude of a good leader because if he/she is not always content with what he/she has, there is a temptation to steal. There will be a temptation to use the position to accumulate more for himself/herself. The key is to find our contentment in serving well and avoid judging our success by looking at our situation.  

A Good leader is a model for all to follow

Hebrews 13: 7: “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith”

A leader who always speaks nicely to his/her employees is inspiring. A leader is remembered not only by his/her achievement but by his/her whole life, his words and actions. Often time employees remember them because of their kind words and treatment toward employees. They are remembered because they lead with their heart and it's apparent to all their teams.  They praise publicly, and they correct privately. These are the leaders who will be imitated by their employees or followers.  

Good leaders persevere under trials

James 1”12 “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him”.

The leadership position is not going to be easy sailing, there will always be rough sailing, facing strong winds. A leader should have the courage to face the risks but not to surrender to challenges. The crown will only be given to those who persevere under trials and continue to pursue the goals that they have set despite challenges.    

A good leader acts as a consultant

Proverbs 11:14 “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in the abundance of counsellors there is victory”.

An organization cannot grow without a knowledgeable leader. Along this verse, it is unthinkable to see leaders who do not know what they are doing. Leaders are supposed to be counsellors and consultants with whom people seek for answers to their work problems. When leaders are blind and cannot be relied upon, the employees get lost and do not know what to do. Consequently, the organization or business can go bankrupt.

A Good leader is always guided by the truth

Proverbs 29:14 “If a king judges the poor with truth, His throne will be established forever”

It is always advisable for a leader to be guided by the truth when he/she judges his/her people. It is important to gather facts before one can make a judgment so that all decisions are based on solid facts, not emotional biases. People will always love leaders who are objective in their evaluation of their employees.

A good leader plans for the good of everyone.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”.

There is only one purpose of leadership and that is for the welfare of the people or employees. People are committed to their work and show up for work eagerly when they see that they are given attention and they are taken care of. Commitment and loyalty are the fruits of good leadership. Fair treatment inspires hope and makes people identify their future with the organization. When the employees are not treated well, they do not want to stay long with the company, they leave as soon as they find alternatives.     

A Good Leader knows how to say it straight, Yes or No

Matthew 5:37 Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

We have encountered a lot of leaders who cannot even say straight what is in their mind particularly when the answer will be between Yes or No. Some cannot even say no and some always say yes even it means no, they want to be a pleaser. To say yes is easier than to say no. However, there is no such thing as a yes man if a leader wants to straighten things out. A good leader should be able to say No when she/he means no but learn how to do it to avoid being harsh toward people. Different cultures have different ways of how to express their agreement and a leader should learn the art how to say no.   

A Good leader is a witness to Good Values

Isaiah 55: 4 “Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander for the peoples”.

Everyone expects a leader to be a model of good or moral values. He/she is not only to command people but for his or her command to be effective, he must live and show a good example in his/her life to be followed by his/her people. People are more inclined to follow leaders who have shown a good example to people than leaders who are scandalizing his/her people. Such a principle is not only applied to religious leaders but to all leaders, be they political or business leaders. Moral leadership influence his/her followers not by his/her power and authority but by his/her own life.  

A Good leader is after the welfare of all

1 Corinthians 10:33 “Just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved”.  

The organization or business can never grow unless its leader prioritizes his/her employees and not his/her own personal advantage or interest. In this case, a leader must examine his/her own motive in doing things and if the motive is for the benefit of most of his people or only for his/her own or for a small group of people only. He/she can only do things if it is for the welfare of the greatest majority. Stories of bankruptcies are all over the newspapers and they have a common denominator which is having a corrupt leader who is not after the welfare of his/her people but after his/her family's welfare.  

A good Leader is A Good Shepherd

John 10: 11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep”.  

Genesis 29:3 When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away from the well’s mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well.  

1 Peter 5:2-4 – Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;  not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away".

Often time leader understands position as social status and claims more privileges for himself/herself than for their employees. This is contradictory to the understanding of the shepherd. An employer is a shepherd of his/her employees. He/she should not prioritize himself/herself. A good leader should know that his/her job is to lay down his /her life for the sheep. A good leader sacrifices his life and his own interest for the interest of his/her followers. A leader is to do everything for the welfare and comfort of his/her sheep. In order to know the function of a good leader as a shepherd, we need to know first the job of a good shepherd. The following is the job of a good shepherd:

- A good shepherd gives the sheep a sense of belonging

- A Good shepherd knows his sheep by name

- A Good shepherd sees to it that the needs of the sheep are met

- He always finds ways to feed the sheep

- A good shepherd provides rest for the sheep

- A good shepherd is leading the sheep, not driving them

- A good shepherd affirms the sheep but does not instil fear

- A good shepherd encourages the sheep but discourages them

- A Good shepherd protects the sheep from danger

- A good shepherd speaks a blessing over the sheep but does not curse

- A good shepherd brings healing but not wounds

- A good shepherd leads the sheep on the right path

- Good shepherd looks for the lost sheep 

-  A good shepherd should not be stingy but generous.

- A good shepherd should be close to the sheep

- A good shepherd should show mercy and compassion, not always scolding the sheep

- The shepherd should provide a place where one can feel at home.

- A Good shepherd watches over his/her flock.

- A Good Shepherd is not pursuing dishonest gain.

- A Good shepherd prioritizes the welfare of his/her flocks 

A Good leader is patient but does not tolerate laziness and finds ways to help those who cannot perform their job.  

1 Thessalonians 5:14 “And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Running a business or corporation is not so easy. There can be a lot of headaches or problems created by employees. There are employees who are idle, timid and weak. These people are found in the organization. Some employees are just showing up for work but doing nothing the whole day, sitting around but accomplishing nothing but receiving a salary at the end of the month. There are employees who are not able to express themselves, and their ideas and consequently they do not contribute ideas for the development of the organization. There are also employees who are poor at doing the job because lack of necessary skills to perform the job.

As a good leader, will you fire all of them? Be patient. It may be hard to fire them all because there can be a lot of negative consequences that may happen. However, a good leader may not tolerate the situation but discipline them and create an environment where everyone feels at home to each other and where open communication is welcome. Beyond that, a leader should identify individuals who cannot perform the job because lack of skills and provide development training.

A good leader is the voice of his/her people and protects the rights of his/her people

Proverbs 31: 8-9 – “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

A leader is called a leader because he/she has followers. He /she is not in a vacuum. Followers follow him/her because followers believe in him/her. They believe him/her because there are shared values and beliefs between leader and followers.  Naturally, he/she represents his/her people and their ideas. He speaks for his/her people and protects their rights. It would be unthinkable if a leader violates the right of his/her people.    

A Good leader knows that his authority is instituted by God

Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

Human authority is given by God for the purpose to serve his/her people and he/she is accountable to God. The work of a leader is the Lord’s work. The leader is merely the participant who administers God’s plan. Therefore he/she should exercise his/her authority according to what God wants to happen for His people. He is not supposed to be served but to serve people.  

A Good leader is not arrogant

Proverb 16: 5 “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.”

1 Samuel, 2:3 "Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him, actions are weighed”.

If a leadership position is understood as an authority given by God to serve His people, then there is no reason for a leader to be arrogant because he/she does not own the authority, but it is given to him by God. However, sad to say that many leaders have thought that they own the position and authority emanated from it and they treated their employees like their slaves. Pride causes a leader to overlook the limitations all humans have and results in disaster. Human and natural laws apply to everyone.

A Good leader surrounds Himself/ Herself with Good People

Proverbs 15: 22 “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers, they succeed”  

Leaders who surround themselves with “yes” people are leaders who have personal insecurity.  Insecurity drives them to seek only positive reinforcement for every decision they make. They tend to take for people who are always saying yes to them.  They see those who are smarter than they are as competitors.  A smart leader surrounds himself or herself with smarter people, who are willing to speak their minds and offer sound counsel.

A Good leader has Integrity

Mathew 23: 3-4 “Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice”.

Titus, 2:7: Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity”

It is easy to command people to do what you want them to do and they will follow you because you have the power to fire and hire. They follow you because they are afraid of you, not because they believe and trust you. The challenge is that can you also do what you tell your people to do. You might be telling them to do a certain thing but you yourself do otherwise. Jesus hates hypocrites.

A Good leader is authentic and sincere

Mathew 23: 5 “All their works are performed to be seen. They widen and lengthen their tassels.  

Jesus attacks superficiality. And what matters is who you are when nobody is looking. The things you do must be coming from your own good intention, not for superficiality. It is what you want to do, not because you have to do it.  A leader who does things because of his/her own free will be healthy compared to those who do things even though they do not want to do it. 

A Good leader should focus on important priorities

Mathew 23: 23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites. You pay tithes of mint and dill and cumin and have neglected the weightier things of the law: judgment and mercy and fidelity. These you should have done, without neglecting the others.  

There are leaders who seem to be so busy, going early to the office and going home late in the evening because of work. Their office hours are hectic and seem no time for employees.  But the question: are you busy with the essentials or the trivial things? Are you hitting the right point or you have missed the point? The advice is: Focus on what really matters. Avoid getting caught up with minor details and becoming legalistic.

A Good leader stays calm amidst challenges

Job 1: 2 “In all this Job did not sin, nor did he say anything disrespectful of God”.

Job was a wealthy man, he had great wealth and happiness, but this wealth did not stay long with him. But despite of such a situation, he went beyond what is happenings to him and looked at the situation positively. He realized that wealth belonged to God since God is giving them to him and so God has taken them back.  He faced trials after trials but despite of all those bad experiences, he did not do anything bad as a reaction to the situation, he did not curse people and he did not curse God. Job is a model for good leadership. A leader will experience rough times and emotional distress. When those times come he needs to remain calm and maintain decisiveness in his leadership.

A Good leader has a vision

Proverbs: 29:18 “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained but happy is he who keeps the law”.

Isaiah 48: 17-18 “Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you in the way you should go. Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea”.

I have been seeing leaders who have no focus and no vision. They come into the position without knowing where he/she is directing his/her people. They consume their time on unsubstantial and unessential activities but on trivial things. Activities and programs are not directed toward the goals. People are just doing their own things without any sense of direction if what they are doing is contributing to the attainment of the goals or not. No policies are to be followed and everyone has their own policies. No supervision. Everybody is happy go lucky. Such a kind of environment can never go any higher. A good leader should have a definite vision that he/she wants to attain, and all behaviours and activities are directed toward the attainment of the vision. Rules or policies are necessary to direct the behaviours, and everybody is required to follow those rules or policies of the organization. Only then the vision can be attained.

A good leader knows that attaining the vision needs commitment and determination

Genesis 12: 1-7: “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonours you I will curse, and in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan...”

Vision is similar to a Promised Land where you are directed to go to reach such land. It is a promised future. God promised Abraham that he would become the father of a mighty nation in the land that God would show him. Abram believed in God. As a response, Abraham and his household began a long, difficult journey to the land God promised. Abraham and his family left the city of Ur (near the confluence of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers) to seek a better life in the land of Canaan. How long did Abraham take from Ur to Canaan? It took long years to reach Canaan when he was already 75 years old and through the mountains, valleys and desert. Some were not able to reach Canaan because they did not have the energy to move on. Abraham reached the place. Abraham is a great example of faith, commitment and determination. A leader should know that nothing comes easy. It takes hard work, commitment, determination and faith in the vision to achieve the vision or the goals. There will be a lot of challenges along the way, but he/she should not give up but continue to fight until the vision is reached or attained. 

A Good leader believes that he/she does not know everything  

1 Cor, 2: 1-2 “When I came to you, brothers, proclaiming the mystery of God, I did not come with sublimity of words or wisdom. For I resolve to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified”

Paul thought of himself as nothing in the total scheme of things. He knows nothing except he knows Jesus Christ. We could take the message from Paul to be a good leaders. A good leader does not pretend to know everything and has all the knowledge necessary to carry out the job but is humble to accept that he/she does not know everything. Only by accepting such a fact, he/she can place his/her trust in God and rely on the cooperation of his people to do things for him.   

A Good leader encourages people to bring the best out of them

2 Timothy 6-7 “For this reason, I reminded you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control”.   

Timothy stands out in Scripture as a stereotypical misfit for a leadership position. He was timid, a bit sickly and perhaps hesitant to perform the work he’d been called to do. Knowing his personality, Paul wrote to this young man, his letters reflected the heart of a mentor who perceived his protege's leadership potential.

There are several people among many people who have no self–confidence to take up a leadership position. They feel that they cannot become leaders, though they have the capability but could not see it. A good leader who wants others to be leaders too would be willing to point out the potential of their followers and encourages and gives them leadership position. Often time one needs other people to tell him/her that they have the capabilities and only after that do they realize that they are capable. It is the job of a leader. Timothy was able to overcome his natural limitations to become one of the early church’s most significant leaders.

A Good leader transfers the responsibility to others, not greedy for the positions.

1 Titus 1:5 “For this reason I left you in Crete so that you might set right what remains to be done and appoint presbyters in every town as I directed you”.

Organizations may grow larger and larger and scopes of work are also expanding. Once the organization expands, it is necessary to divide the responsibilities. One man is no longer possible to manage the whole organization and one man cannot supervise the whole organization. Let other people or appoint other people to take care of other parts of the organization. St. Paul is a great example of good leadership. Titus was identified by Paul to take care of Crete as a leader and Paul believes Titus to be capable to set things right.

A Good leader appeals for unity  

1 Corinthians 1:10 “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought” 

Unity of mind and unity of purpose is essential to the attainment of goals. Disunity can bring the organization nowhere. There might be a lot of differences in terms of ideas among organization members, but those differences should only broaden the understanding and perception of things. Those differences should not lead the members to go against one another which consequentially paralyzes the organization. A good leader should be able to bridge the gap between opposing parties. A harmonious working relationship is necessary for people to work enthusiastically as indicated by Psalm 133: 1 “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity”. This is also indicated in the letter of Paul to Ephesians 4:3 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace”.      

Good leaders should always realize that a leadership position is a position of trust.

Luke 16: 10-13 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

People will not elect or appoint a criminal to become their leader.  A person is given a certain position of leadership because he/she is trusted. He/she has been proven to be faithful and responsible in carrying out his/her duties and responsibilities in the past and he has been trustworthy enough in the past in his/her duties and responsibilities. Since it is a trust, he/she must keep the trust. However, many times happen that trust is eroded because leaders change their attitudes and behaviours.

A good leader understands authority as delegated authority

Mathew 21: 23 “Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

John 10: 18 “No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have the authority to lay it down and the authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father”

The authority of Jesus is coming from God and He is God Himself. No question about the origin of his authority. It is different from the authority of corporate leaders. Within the context of these texts, authority is not understood as the freedom to decide or a right to act without hindrance, but it is delegated authority. Corporate leaders have the authority, but such authority is not the authority to do whatever he/she wants to do without a hindrance, but his/her authority is exercised within the limit prescribed by stockholders/shareholders, corporate members who are represented by the Board of Directors or Board of Trustees.  They cannot just do what they want without the authorization of the Board.  The question of authority is a fundamental issue facing every corporate leader.  Abuse of authority is understood within this context which always happens. Jesus can only do what he hears from his Father and in the same case, the corporate leaders can only do what they hear from the Board.   

A good leader understands the ultimate source of authority: God

Romans 13: 1 “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God”.

Many times, leaders take things into their hands as if they are not accountable to anyone, even to God. The verse reminds us that leaders are not only accountable to those who appoint and give them worldly authority, but they are also accountable to God. It is God who is the ultimate source of authority. Therefore, leaders should always examine how they use their authority if the exercise of their authority is still within what is allowed by God or not. Corruption or any kind of immoral act should be avoided because it is not allowed by God.  Even God’s authority and control are never arbitrary because it is based on His perfect righteousness and goodness; it is always for the good and blessing of people. 

A good leader plans for the good of his/her people/employees

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, “declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future”.  

There is one of the main purposes of leadership is assigned to lead or manage a corporation which is to take care of his/her people/employees. Organizational growth and success depend on how much a leader/manager cares for his/her people. When the leader or manager takes care of his/her employees and the employees will take care of the organization. However, often time leader-managers give too much attention to physical expansion and financial growth and neglect the welfare of his/her employees.  Many employees are leaving the company because they do not see any hope of better life in the company and they are looking for greener pastures.   

A Good Leader Understands and is Never Covetous

Proverbs, 28:16: “A ruler who lacks understanding is a great oppressor, but who hates covetousness will prolong his days”

The demand for a good leader is not only to understand the work he/she is performing but beyond understanding his work is to understand his/her people or employees. Understanding employees include their difficulties, struggles and aspirations.  By understanding them, a leader can provide solutions to help them. Employees are willing to give it all when the leader is so passionate to help them.

A good leader is also a person who is always satisfied with what he/she has. Not everything may be provided but it does not mean that a leader should covet another’s possessions. It is a position of stewardship and it requires that the leader should guard the possessions of others including the owners. Do not claim yours if it is not yours.

A Good Leader has a strategic direction

Luke 6:39: “And He (Jesus) spoke a parable to them: "Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?" 

First and foremost, a leader should have a direction where he/she is leading his/her employees.  The direction is pointed out in the vision of the company and he/she leads his/her employees toward the realization of such vision. It could not be imagined leadership without a direction or vision. Without a vision, a leader does not see where the direction is. It is a guiding light for the leader and employees to see where they are going. It is the basis for the leader and employees to determine the course of action and how to get there. With that, it comes to the second requirement of a leader is having the ability to lead people in such a direction. One might have a vision or direction, but vision alone does not guarantee that they will get there in time unless he/she knows how to lead his/he people/employees how to get there.  

A Good Leader is listening to People’s Voices

1 Sam 8:6-7: “But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, "Give us a king to judge us.'' So, Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them."

Leadership does not exist in a vacuum, but it has followers. Success requires the cooperation of both sides. Both sides contribute to the success. Employees contribute, not only through their work but also through their ideas. There are brilliant ideas coming from employees and leaders must heed their ideas.    

A Good Leader is Inspiring

Matthew 11: 28-29: “Come to me all you who are toiling and loaded down. And I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls”.

Definitely, employees are burdened by their work and sometimes by their personal or family problems. Problems and difficulties can bring them down and can affect their performance if they are not given attention. They need someone with whom they can unload their difficulties and personal problem. It is part of leadership duties and responsibilities to be available for his/her employees, to hear them and to lighten their burden and instil new spirit in them.        

A Good Leader is leading by walking the talks and his/her own whole life

John 13:12-15: “When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you”.

A good leader is not the one who seats in his office and commands his/her employees from his office to do things on his/her behalf but he/she is the one who is going down to the employee's level, not talking but doing the work by himself/herself. He/she teaches his/her employees not by words but by his action. This is a kind of manager who is not comfortable with the title and social status but comfortable with the work and with the employees. 

A Good leader knows his/her life affects everyone 

Hebrew, 13:7, “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith”.

Whether it is religious leaders or corporate leaders, their personal life is under the constant monitor of their people. Their way of life can change the perception of their people and can affect the way how people or employee will live their lives. People or employees are influenced not so much by their expertise and by their skills but also by their way of life.  

A Good Leader Understands that Leadership is a Responsibility

Matthew 24:45-47: “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns”.

A manager is not the owner of a business but he is only trusted by the owner to manage on behalf of the owner. He is responsible to the owner. He is a steward and is given the responsibility to take care of the business as a whole and to take care for the employees. Salary is a reward for managing well the business and promotion is the outcome of doing a good job. However, often time the manager feels like the owner and does a thing on his own as if he/she was the owner of the business.  

 
A Good Leader is Managing and leading freely

1 Peter 5:2: "Be shepherds of God's flock, the believers who are under your care. Serve as their leaders. Don't serve them because you have to. Instead, do it because you want to. That's what God wants you to do. Don't do it because you want to get more and more money. Do it because you really want to serve."

A leadership position can be a burden for someone who is doing the job because of certain pressures such as money and prestige. They do their job because there is no way of making more money to support their lives and there is no way of improving their status. This kind of person will never enjoy the job and will leave the job as long as their objectives are achieved. It is different with those who take the position, not because of pressures but because they love the job, they love the challenge. They do their job, not because of external pressures but it is their desire to serve. These leaders will be happy and committed to their job.

A Good Leader is determined

Galatians, 6: 9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. 

It is a reality that a leadership position is full of challenges. These challenges are not only coming from the work itself but also coming from people. The sail will not always be smooth but many times it is rough. Even though one knows that he/she is doing the right thing but criticism will always come their way and often times these external pressures are always good reasons to quit but a good leader will persistently do the right thing and does not surrender to those challenges. He/she knows that result will not be delivered at the beginning of the journey or the middle of the journey but it will be given at the end.

A Good Leader Knows that Power and Riches will not last forever but Care does.

Proverbs 27:23-24:” Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations”.

Riches come and go and power does not stay forever but what last is care. A leader is remembered for his kind deeds to his people or employees. Thus, a good leader does not focus so much on attaining wealth and power but focus on people. Taking care of people under his care is a primary duty of a leader because success is a gift coming from people who are taken care of well. As John Maxwell said, “A leader is great, not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others”.

A Good leader does not compete with his/her people or employees

Philippians, 2:3:” Do nothing from rivalry or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves”.

A Leader does the job through his people. Thus, a leader should count more on his people, not himself. His/her only job is to motivate, and inspire employees to do their job and facilitate the work, not to complicate their work. Employees are not competitors but they are followers who want to be empowered to do their job.

A Good Leader is not only after his/her own interest but also after the interest of others

Philippians, 2:4:” Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others”.

Isaiah, 56:11:” The dogs have a mighty appetite; they never have enough. But they are shepherds who have no understanding; they have all turned to their own way, each to his own gain, one and all".

A Leader is aware that the job cannot be done by himself/herself but it is always through his people. In order for the employees to be motivated, their interests must be given attention, if not prioritized. A good leader will always have the employees’ interests in his mind, not his own interest. 

Greediness will close the eyes of the leader to see the interest of his/her people/employees but only to see his/her own interest. A leader who is greedy is never satisfied with what he/she has but always wants more and more for himself. Corruption is a classic example of greediness.    

A Good leader has the ability to control himself/herself

Proverbs, 25:28: “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls”

A leader has a lot of challenges and temptations. He/she deals with different personalities under his care. Some may support him/her and some may go against him/her. Differences can cause conflict and confrontation. A leader should learn how to hold his temper and know how to cool down his anger. Do not be carried out by emotion.

Besides, a leader is often time tempted to use power to get anything he/she wants to get. A greedy leader can use his power to fulfil his greed or lust. Having no self-control can mean the fall of leadership.

A Good Leader is getting the right information

Proverbs 29:12:” If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked”.

One of the jobs of a leader is to distribute relevant information to his/her people or employees. He/she is expected to share the right information with people and therefore he/she should see to it that his/her information is correct and taken from the right sources. Usually, the people or employees will take information from their leader as correct. Therefore, a leader should not listen and take gossip as the source of information to be shared with his employees. Sharing fake news can mislead his/her people. 

A Good leader lives by the value of humility

Philippians, 2:5-8, “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross”.

Philippians 2:3: “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves”

God incarnate himself in the form of a human being, Jesus Christ. Jesus is God but did not make himself God when He was with a human being. He did not distance Himself from other human beings but he even associated Himself with the sinners. He assumes humanity in all aspects except sin. This is an example of humility. A good leader should know how to go down. Though he/she has a position of leadership but he/she doesn’t need to carry that position everywhere in your organization when dealing with employees and take a distance from employees. Do not be arrogant with the employees and treat employees as slaves and stupid. A leader should associate himself/herself with the ordinary people around and feel what they feel and know their struggles.

A Good Leader understands that Leadership is not a position and social status but it is a service

Matthew 20:20-28:” Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. ...

1Timothy, 3:1, “The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task”. 

Many parents are still dreaming that someday their sons and daughters will be in a high position. It is the position that they are looking for because the position is often time connected to the social standing of a family in society. The more one has sons and daughters in the higher position of leadership, the more one feels great and social status is also elevated. But one has forgotten that position of leadership is not about position and social status but it is about the work, it is about service. The one who is in the position of leadership is a servant who is given the task to serve the rest. Aspiring for leadership is aspiring for service, not otherwise.

Mark 10:41-45: And when the ten heard it, they began to be indignant at James and John. And Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

A Good leader makes decision on solid evidence

Daniel 6:4: “Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him”.

A leader cannot just dismiss his/her employees without any solid evidence. When he/she hears complaints coming from different persons about another person, a good leader should not take decision immediately to dismiss the person but he/she should conduct investigation to find out if the complaints have basis or not. Even if there are bases of the complaints, the person has to be confronted and ask the person to explain the findings because the findings might have different explanations. Bad leader makes a hasty decision and neglect due process.

A Good Leader practices self-monitoring

1 Timothy 4:16: “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers”.

It is easier to monitor others’ doing but many times leaders forget to monitor themselves. They find it easier to find faults in others but many times they do not find faults in themselves. A good leader keeps watching on himself/herself to see if he/she himself/herself practices what he/she is preaching. Integrity suffers when leaders are not consistent in what they are teaching and what they are doing. Consequently, people/employees are confused.

A Good Leader is not corrupt

1 Samuel 12:1-5:“And Samuel said to all Israel, “Behold, I have obeyed your voice in all that you have said to me and have made a king over you. And now, behold, the king walks before you, and I am old and gray; and behold, my sons are with you. I have walked before you from my youth until this day. Here I am; testify against me before the Lord and before his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Or whose donkey have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed? Or from whose hand have I taken a bribe to blind my eyes with it? Testify against me and I will restore it to you.” They said, “You have not defrauded us or oppressed us or taken anything from any man's hand.” And he said to them, “The Lord is witness against you, and his anointed is witness this day, that you have not found anything in my hand.” And they said, “He is witness.”  

Nowadays it is hard to find a leader who can look straight to the face of his own people because he/she is ashamed to face his/her own people. Corruption pulls down his/her face to see himself/herself only. He/she has taken much from his/her own people and he/she has been manipulating his/her own people and his/her own people know that he/she is corrupt. His/her conscience is guilty. Can we find a leader who can proudly tell his/her own people that he/she has never corrupted them?

A Good Leader Leaves a good legacy

Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”

Business or corporations does not exist only for one day or one year but it intends for long time to several generations if possible. Therefore the one who manages the corporation should not confine his/her vision only within his/her term but he/she envisions future generations who will take over. He/she should think of making the corporation healthy in years to come. Therefore, a leader should leave the corporation with good conditions, not debts.

A good leader is motivating and develops other people to grow 

1 Thessalonians, 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing”

It always happens in the organization that leaders feel intimidated by their subordinates who seem to be better than they are. They feel insecure about those who are more intelligent than they are. As a result, instead of motivating and developing employees to become leaders, they tend to find loopholes in the employees and capitalize on it. Instead of helping the employees to grow, they are intimidated for the employees to quit. 

A Good leader is always learning, always listening for fresh insights

Proverbs 18:15: “The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge” 

There is nothing permanent in this world except change. Change is constant because technology and the environment are always changing. Business operations always change according to the change in technology and the environment. Business operations need to be updated and therefore a leader should always be updated with the latest information in business and the latest technology. The nature of leadership is learning and an organization nowadays is a learning organization.

A Good leader makes strategic planning

Proverbs 24:6 “For it is by wise guidance that you wage a war and the victory is due to a wealth of counsellors”.     

How can one go to the war without planning? Going to war without planning will never win, only disaster. Strategic planning is the key to warfare; to win, you need a lot of good counsel. A good leader always plans as a guide for his execution and to achieve its objectives. A good plan can never be done alone but together with good people who have the experience and knowledge in strategic planning. 

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 [WU1]