What Does Your Leadership Wisdom Look Like? By Ed McDowell

Leadership Wisdom Comes from Above

One of the most essential sources for pure leadership wisdom is found in God’s Word.

“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.”

James 3:17, NLT

Thoughtful Leaders Value Wisdom

The book of Proverbs is dedicated to the subject of obtaining wisdom. It is to be highly valued and pursued, as said:

“Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord and gain knowledge of God, for the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth comesknowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity.” Proverbs

2:2-7, NLT

Jesus offers a life of wisdom through repentance, forgiveness, submission, and obedience. His clear words to Thomas sum it up:

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6, NLT

According to Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes and dwells with us, guiding us into all truth:

“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me.”

John 16:13-14, NLT

James reminds us that God is happy to give wisdom to us in all matters of endurance and perseverance as long as we stay focused on him:

“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”

James 1:5-6, NLT

A Personal Assessment

One way to test the quality of your leadership wisdom is to ask, “What does your leadership wisdom look like?” Here are a few questions to help you evaluate the quality of the wisdom you are leading with today.

Have you asked God for wisdom?

Asking God acknowledges that we need help and insight in addressing a particular situation. The most common mistake I see leaders make is not asking God for wisdom until everything is in a full-blown crisis. Make the wisdom of God move with You often and early in every situation. Keep your eyes on him. He will give it to you in real time.

Do you make space for others in the way you lead?

If your leadership is all about you and your priorities, you might want to come to a complete stop and consider leading in a way that makes space for others’ insights and contributions. Yielding to other perspectives is part of healthy leadership wisdom.

Do you lead with favoritism for a few?

This is a warning sign that you are drifting away from God’s wisdom. Remember, he longs for everyone to be saved and no one to be lost. His wisdom isn’t interested in protecting the favored interests of a few.

Are you genuine and sincere in your leadership?

Most of us know the answer to this in our hearts and minds—these flow from our motives. If you are not sure about this, ask five people you work with for feedback.

Wisdom Loves Peace

James wants us to remember one more thing about God’s wisdom in our lives. Wisdom inspires peace and multiplication.

“And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.”

James 3:18, NLT

A Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for giving us your wisdom.

Help us to ask you for it, in so doing confessing our need for a better way of dealing with the situation or relationship that requires it. May the leadership wisdom we share reflect the wisdom God provides.

Holy Spirit, please help us with this.

In your name, Jesus, we pray,

Amen.

Ed McDowell is the CEO of Warm Beach Camp Ministries. He also coaches and consults on board leadership and development, bringing fresh perspectives to complex situations. Ed authorizes a devotional series titled A Well-Planted Faith in an Uprooted Culture. His writing and speaking aim to challenge people to let God’s Word inform their lives. Ed and his wife, Bev, live on Camano Island, Washington, where they live out their mission statement: “To give our lives away for the cause of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible.”

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