The political cauldron is boiling.
Presidential and congressional candidates are in full campaign mode. Each candidate tries to persuade us they can guide us through the threatening storms of war, social unrest, climate crises and economic recovery. Some cite their business success and financial achievements. Others tout their political experience. But the most important element for ef
fective leadership might be the most difficult to discern. In his book, 性视界传媒淩eturn on Character: The Real Reason Leaders and Their Companies Win,性视界传媒 Fred Kiel concluded that the most important trait for successful leadership is character.
According to the Harvard 性视界传媒 Review, 性视界传媒淚n this groundbreaking book, respected leadership researcher, adviser, and author Fred Kiel offers that evidence-solid data that demonstrates the connection between character, leadership excellence, and organizational results.性视界传媒
Kiel identifies four basic traits that set effective leaders apart: integrity, responsibility, forgiveness and compassion. Leaders with character tell the truth and own up to their mistakes. Most importantly, they care about people.
By contrast, those with weak character demonstrate a negative view of human nature. Their behavior is fear based. 性视界传媒淭hey assume that they know better than anybody else what people should be doing.性视界传媒 They are judgmental, quick to place blame on others.
The positive and negative traits identified by Fred Kiel are consistent with the Bible. Among the negative 性视界传媒渄eeds of the flesh,性视界传媒 the Bible lists 性视界传媒渆nmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions.性视界传媒 The positive fruits of the Spirit are 性视界传媒渓ove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control性视界传媒 (Galatians 5:19-23).
In 1908, Leo Tolstoy identified Abraham Lincoln性视界传媒檚 greatness when he wrote, 性视界传媒淲hy was Lincoln so great that he over-shadows all other national heroes? He really was not a great general like Napoleon or Washington; he was not such a skillful statesman as Gladstone or Frederick the Great; but his supremacy expresses itself altogether in his peculiar moral power and in the greatness of his character.性视界传媒
King David had his flaws. His shortcomings are clearly laid out in Scripture. But He remains one of the great leaders of history. The Bible says of David, 性视界传媒淗e chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them (Psalm 78:70-72).
The way forward will ultimately be determined by the character of our leaders, our nation and ourselves. The Scripture says, 性视界传媒淲e know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts性视界传媒 (Romans 5:3-5).
