Wisdom is not instant; it’s a cumulative process of layer upon layer. It’s like a bank account of great value, but investments must be made. It does not come without discipline and a willingness to reflect in quiet and wait while continuing to lead.
A great deal of wisdom is accumulated first from God, and then it’s up to us to press through problems and not give up. Solving problems is central to effective leadership and requires the practice of applying wisdom.
Therefore, we learn to practice wisdom as we lead. If we are not facing problems, engaging difficulties, and working on solutions, wisdom has no place to take root and show fruit.
2. Humility as Part of One’s Nature Rather Than Something We Practice.
Pride is the great destroyer of wisdom; humility and courage are its protectors. Pride can not only block your receptivity to wisdom; it can destroy the wisdom you do have.
Pride is the enemy of your soul, and the ripple effects always hurt others.
Humility is the gateway to the kind of character that God can trust with his wisdom.
Humility isn’t a skill, it’s a disposition of the heart, it’s a way of life. It’s not something you get better at, it’s a virtue you embrace.
In other words, we don’t set a goal to be more humble, we purpose to see ourselves exactly like God sees us, nothing more, nothing less. When you live and lead from that version of you, the real you, neither false humility, or foolish pride creeps in.
Another way to see it is that humility is based more on the idea that you don’t feel superior or better than others because of what you have, or your status or power, and equally, it’s not about feeling inferior to others.
Humble leaders live for others more than they live for themselves. Humble doesn’t mean insecure. Don’t confuse the two. Humility is an attractive virtue, insecurity is not. Humility is directly connected to strength, insecurity is tied to fear and our weakness.
This does not suggest that humble leaders never struggle with insecurities, but they recognize that humility is based on strength not weakness.
3. Strength That Enables Us To Do the Right Thing Even When It’s Difficult.
We can serve from our brokenness, but we lead from strength. The two connect together in humble confidence that comes from God.
