Art of Leadership With Brian HoustonSample

Bad Leadership

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray. — Proverbs 10:17 (ESV)

Not all leaders are good leaders. In fact, some are outright terrible. The Bible and history are filled with examples of bad leadership – people who, despite undeniable power, influence and charisma, were shocking leaders… Hitler; Caesar; Pharaoh; King Saul; Jezebel…

These examples are the extreme, but you don’t have to be like Hitler to be a bad leader. Some extremely sweet people have some unbelievably bad traits. Bad leadership can cause a lot of damage, so it’s important to recognize whether our behavior is harmful or destructive.

So then, what makes a leader a bad leader? One major factor is the inability or unwillingness to see or address personal flaws. Everyone has blind spots, which is why we all need help to identify and change them.

Jesus is our definitive leadership example. Although God, as deity in the flesh, He came to serve…

You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. — John 13:13-17 (NKJV)

Jesus’ example makes it clear that a leader is foremost a servant, seeking the highest good for others; not manipulating or controlling them for their own agendas. Leadership is not an entitlement. A godly leader is humble, not self-promoting (see Ps 25:9). James warns that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (4:6). When a leader makes their leadership about themselves, they’re unwilling to learn from others — that’s a mark of bad leadership. That is different from someone who criticizes you to make you feel small, but when someone tries to point out a problem, are you willing to listen and change?

Godly counsel is invaluable. The company you keep is so important because we are greatly influenced by those close to us. First Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.” (AMPC). Whose company are you keeping?

Counsel is invited but opinion is unsolicited and never builds anything, so beware of opinions – everyone has them. Proverbs 12:15 says, “A fool is in love with his own opinion, but wisdom means being teachable” (TPT). Opinionated people are eager to be heard but not to listen. A good leader knows when to withhold their opinion and does not allow their opinion to influence their decisions. Be careful not to nurture an environment that indulges personal opinions. If it doesn’t help to build up then refuse to accommodate it.

Let’s face it – some leaders behave badly and working for a bad leader is always problematic. But no one is condemned to be a bad leader. Anyone can learn the art of leadership if they will stay humble, open to correction, keep a soft spirit, and remain teachable.

Good leadership is built on love and truth, for kindness and integrity are what keep leaders in their position of trust. — Prov 20:28 (TPT)