And humble yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ (Ephesians 5:21)
A gentleman with a mild temperament reads a book on how to be strict. Then he decided to start practicing it at home. So he barged into the house, pointed at his wife's face, and said, "From now on I'm the boss here, so you have to do what I say. I want you to prepare a nice meal and bathwater for me. Then, when I'm done eat and wash, guess who will dress and comb my hair." "The mortician," his wife replied.
King Rehoboam tried similar toughness. However, that actually made his people turn against him. When he ascended the throne, the people begged for a reduction in the tax burden. His older advisers urged him to comply with the demands of the people, but his younger friends advised him to be stricter than his father.
Because he followed the advice of his friends, ten of the twelve tribes of Israel separated and formed a new kingdom (2 Chronicles 10:16,17).
Good leaders don't rely on assertiveness to dominate -- whether at home, at church, or at work. Instead, they balance that firmness (which is actually not something wrong) with the principle of mutual humility (Ephesians 5:21).
They listen respectfully, admit their mistakes, show a willingness to change, and combine gentleness with firmness. That's humble leadership, and it works! --Herb Vander Lugt
LEADERS WHO DESERVE TO LEAD ARE THOSE WHO HAVE LEARNED TO SERVE
* Take from Daily Reflections