Lessons on leadership from one of history’s greatest leaders

KENYATTA E. LEWIS

We are going to be continuing on from the last article on leadership from King David’s life as recorded in the Bible. If you have not read it yet, it would be good to do so, even though you can read this as a standalone. Besides possessing humility and courageous vision, David also possessed the following leadership skills.

Faith: One of the key factors in David’s success was his unwavering faith in God. Whether he was facing a giant in battle or running for his life as a fugitive with a bounty on his head or crying out to God in a moment of despair, David’s faith was an ever-present reality in his life. It must be noted that this faith was not some nebulous, frothy, meaningless thing, it was real and present. It was faith in Yahweh, the God of Israel and God of all things created, seen, and unseen. David’s faith in Yahweh was shown in several ways.

He was a man of worship. Though he was a warrior and excellent administrator, David’s faith was most obvious in how he worshipped God. As part of his legacy, he wrote a collection of Hebrew songs, which we know today as the Psalms, that showcased his heart for the authentic worship of God. He practiced, and teaches us all, that it is important to praise God through the good and bad times. Look at what he wrote in Psalm 103: 1-4 - Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things.

Kenyatta Lewis is the pastor of Harvest Bible Chapel, a growing church committed to taking followers of Jesus deeper and going further in their faith. Besides loving, serving, and helping people he has watched the extended Director’s cut of the Lord of the Rings trilogy multiple times.

I would encourage you to read the rest of this beautiful poem, and as you read it I hope you see how deeply David loved God. And as you do that, I also hope you would see the deep connection between faith in God and sound leadership. Another aspect of David’s faith was his honesty and vulnerability in repenting of his sins. Someone once said that the Christian life is a repenting life and David lived that out. His repentance after his sins with Bathsheba and Uriah displayed a true leader's humility and accountability. He acknowledged his wrongdoings and sought forgiveness. In doing so David did not shy away from expressing his emotions and struggles publicly without it becoming exhibitionism.

Leaders need to be aware of their struggles and share them with those they lead for several compelling reasons. Firstly, acknowledging their vulnerabilities and challenges fosters an atmosphere of authenticity and trust within the team. By openly acknowledging their struggles, leaders create a safe space for their followers to share their own concerns and seek support, ultimately enhancing team cohesion and emotional wellbeing.

Secondly, sharing struggles allows leaders to model vulnerability, which is a key aspect of effective leadership. Brené Brown a renowned researcher on vulnerability, aptly states in “Daring Greatly”, "Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome". Embracing vulnerability enables leaders to connect with their team on a deeper level, fostering empathy and understanding.

Furthermore, acknowledging struggles humanizes leaders, making them more relatable and approachable. This approachability encourages open communication and feedback, enabling leaders to make more informed decisions and lead with greater insight. Additionally, sharing struggles offers an opportunity for growth and development. By seeking input and support from their team, leaders can tap into diverse perspectives and ideas, leading to more innovative and effective solutions.

Ultimately, leaders who are willing to be vulnerable and share their struggles create a culture of authenticity, openness, and collaboration, fostering a stronger and more resilient team. As leadership expert Patrick Lencioni in the book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" advises, "Great teams do not hold back with one another. They are unafraid to air their dirty laundry. They admit their mistakes, their weaknesses, and their concerns without fear of reprisal". In repenting of his sins to God, David modeled a depth of leadership that is hardly seen today. Do the same, practice sharing with those you serve with honesty and openness. But most importantly, turn to God when you sin and repent quickly and specifically. You Are Loved.