Leadership Lessons from the Lesser Known
Some executives are known as turnaround experts. They can come into a failing company, rebuild it, and eventually restore it to health.
There may come a time when you are called on to turn an organization around. It may be a small unit of business comprising a few employees, or it may be an entire company with thousands of employees.
Regardless, you better be prepared because turning an organization around is no easy task!
The are several examples of leaders in the Bible who managed turnarounds. One of the turnaround leaders is King Asa, who succeeded in turning around the nation of Judah.
Backstory
Asa was the great-grandson of King Solomon. Since the time of Solomon, the nation of Israel had split apart with the tribe of Judah in the south, and the remaining tribes of Israel in the north. Since the split, both Judah and Israel had drifted away from God.
Abijah, Asa’s father, rejected God. He followed the pagan gods of the land. Abijah built high places to worship pagan gods, erected Asherah poles for the worship of Asherah the pagan goddess of fertility, and even installed male cult prostitutes.
After a short, three-year reign, Abijah died and his son, Asa became king over the people of Judah. By now, the people had completely deserted God and were following the pagan practices established by Abijah.
The nation of Judah desperately needed a complete turnaround, and it was up to Asa to deliver it!
Judah’s Turn-Around Begins
Asa’s turnaround of the people of Judah was built around five key elements; decisive action, a united purpose, a strong offense, reliance on God, and determined effort.
Decisive Action
Asa began by taking decisive action to remove elements of pagan worship throughout the land of Judah. He banished the male cult prostitutes, removed the idols his father had made, chopped down the Asherah poles and had them burned, and even removed his grandmother as queen mother because she worshipped foreign gods (1 Kings 15: 11-15).
A United Purpose
Next, Asa directed the people to return to their worship of God and to follow God’s commands (2 Chronicles 14:4).
As the people sought God, God gave them 10-years of peace.
A Strong Offense
During those ten years of peace, Asa called on the people to fortify the nation’s defenses. Asa attributed the peace to the fact that the people were seeking God, and God continued to give them peace (2 Chronicles 14:6-7).
Reliance on God
When a foreign invader approached with an army twice the size of Judah’s army, Asa called out to God in prayer. God responded to Asa’s prayer enabling the army of Judah to defeat their attacker (2 Chronicles 14:11-15).
Continued Effort
Coming off Judah’s military victory, Asa redoubled his efforts to bring revival to the people of Judah and the surrounding country. He removed idols from all the land including those in the cities he had captured.
Asa then rebuilt the altar of God in the temple.
As neighboring tribes saw what God was doing in Judah, they sought God once again. Asa gathered all the people of Judah, as well as the neighboring tribes, together leading them in a covenant to seek God with all their minds and hearts (2 Chronicles 15:10-15).
Turnaround Lessons for Leaders
There are five important lessons from Asa’s work to turnaround the people of Judah we can apply to turnarounds in our organizations.
1) Take Decisive Action
Asa saw what needed to be done and he took decisive action. When an organization is in dire straights the first and best move a leader can make is strong, decisive action to correct the course!
2) Unite the Organization
Asa united the people with a common goal. People need direction, and everyone in the organization must be united in their direction and purpose.
3) Prepare for the Future
Asa used the years of peace to fortify Judah’s defenses and build up the army. A turnaround leader must position the organization for success.
4) Reliance on God
Asa committed their work to God, relied on God for victory, and realized their success resulted directly from their dependence on God. What is impossible with man is possible with God. Leaders, put your work before God and rely on Him to guide your steps!
5) Continued Effort
Asa didn’t stop when he experienced success. Instead, he redoubled his efforts and pushed even further.
Many turnarounds fail at this stage. Some progress is made, the organization is headed in the right direction, but leaders get complacent assuming their work is done. When the organization is headed in the right direction, it’s time to push harder toward the ultimate goal of a complete turnaround.
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Which element of a turnaround do you think is most important today?
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Category: Personal Development | Dependence on God
