Good leaders are critically important, especially during tough times.
Every organization goes through ups and downs. Periods of soaring success and periods of trying trials. During these periods of difficult times, good leaders make the difference between growth and survival or decline and obscurity.
Sadly, we have far too many leaders in business, government, and religious organizations today who do not have what it takes to be good leaders in tough times.
As I was studying the prophet Zechariah recently, I realized much of what he wrote regarding the Israelite leaders in Jerusalem applies to us today.
Zechariah was an Israelite born in Babylon. King Darius ordered a group of Israelites to return to their homeland to rebuild the Temple of God and the city of Jerusalem. Zechariah, a priest and a prophet, was one of the remnant who returned to Jerusalem.
It was a tough time for the Israelite people, and they needed good leaders to step up to restore the Temple and the city. Unfortunately, the Israelite leaders were not up to the task.
God appeared to Zechariah one night in several visions, which Zechariah recounts in prophecies directed at the Israelite leaders. Zechariah’s prophecies were a mix of admonition, exhortation, and encouragement designed to motivate them to accomplish their tasks despite their difficulties.
Good Leaders Learn from the Past (Zech. 1:2-6)
Zechariah admonished the leaders to learn from the mistakes of their forefathers.
“Do not be like your forefathers, to whom the earlier prophets proclaimed: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Turn from your evil ways and your evil practices.’ But they would not listen or pay attention to me, declares the LORD” (Zechariah 1:4).
Past leaders had become evil, not listening to God. Having rejected God, God rejected them. When the leadership finally repented, God returned to them and promised to bless them.
Zechariah’s warning is relevant for us today. Leaders come and go, but God’s Word endures. We cannot follow the evil of the world and reject God while expecting Him to bless us.
Good leaders do not follow the world’s ways but keep their focus on God and His direction.
Good Leaders Depend on God (Zech. 4:1-14)
God promised to do great things for the people of Israel through Zechariah. However, Zechariah’s power would not accomplish these things; the power of the Holy Spirit would.
“So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Zechariah 4:6).
No matter how smart or powerful Zechariah was as a leader, he could not accomplish all God had in mind for the people of Israel without the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit guiding him.
Good leaders rely on the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, not on their own wisdom and power.
Good Leaders Are Visionary Leaders (Zech. 8:1-23)
Zechariah understood the challenges and struggles facing the people of Israel charged with the enormous task of rebuilding the Temple of God and the city of Jerusalem. Faced with such a monumental task, it is understandable that the people’s confidence would waver. God promised the people of Israel a glorious life of safety and prosperity if they followed Him.
“The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people” (Zechariah 8:12).
It is often said that without a vision, the people perish. People need a vision to hold on to, to aspire to, especially during trying times. They need to know enduring the trial will result in achievement more extraordinary than imaginable.
Good Leaders Are Committed Leaders (Zech. 10:2-3)
Zechariah warned the leaders of Israel about the dangers of following the idols and advice of worldly leaders, instead of listening to and following God. These worldly leaders are deceitful and speak lies; naturally, they will lead the people astray.
“The idols speak deceit, diviners see visions that lie; they tell dreams that are false, they give comfort in vain. Therefore the people wander like sheep oppressed for lack of a shepherd” Zechariah 10:2).
Good leaders filter out the deceitful lies in the world’s values because they know the world’s values will lead the people away from God. Instead, good leaders stay focused on the truth of God’s Word.
Good Leaders Are Courageous Caring Leaders (Zech. 11:15-17)
God launches His harshest criticism against leaders who abandon their flock, failing to care for them in their time of greatest need. During this trying time, leaders needed to be courageous and steadfast, not failing to care for the people.
“Woe to the worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! May his arm be completely withered, his right eye totally blinded!” (Zechariah 11:17).
Good leaders do not cut and run when times get tough. Good leaders face trying times courageously, relying on God’s power and wisdom to lead the people through the Holy Spirit.
5 Aspects of Good Leaders in Tough Times
The people of Israel faced a daunting task under harsh conditions. Zechariah reminded the leaders of Israel that leaders needed to be at their best during challenging times like this.
The very same lessons apply to us as leaders facing tough times today. We need to be at our best if we are to thrive in this increasingly secular world. We need to
- Learn from the mistakes of the past,
- Depend on God’s power and wisdom,
- Convey God’s vision to the people,
- Be fully committed to our role as leaders, and
- Be courageous leaders who care for the people.
Anything less will result in organizations that fail to achieve all that God has for them.
More Articles
I have written several articles on a leader’s qualifications. You can find them by typing “Leader Qualifications” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are a few of my favorites.
- #391: Not All Effective Employees Make Effective Leaders
- #379: Our Leadership Legacy Includes our Strengths and Weaknesses!
- #353: Is Your Ability to Influence Tied to Your Influenceability?
- #340: Is the Road to Ruin Paved with Pride?
- #338: How to Get Your Boss to Not Trust You
- #335: What Three Traits Does God Require Leaders to Have?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you worked for or with good leaders in difficult times? What made them exceptional leaders?
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Category: Personal Development | Leader Qualifications
I’m having a hard time naming a political leader today whose actions reflect the five aspects of good leadership.
Me either, John. Leaders with these attributes seem to be in short supply, and sadly, low demand for them as well.