Today in our Inspired Leadership Minute I want us to look at Proverbs 16:27: “A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.”
In this proverb, Solomon is warning the wise leader to watch out for the worthless man who plots evil. The word translated “worthless,” means “a man of Belial” which is a name for Satan. The word translated “plots” is also translated “digs up.” So this worthless person digs up or plots trouble on purpose.
Second, this worthless person tries to destroy others with his fiery, slanderous speech. Ultimately, this worthless person will plot evil against you and spread all kinds of lies about you in an attempt to take you down.
What is the lesson for us as leaders today?
I suspect we have all encountered this kind of person at some time or another in our lives. In today’s internet driven, social media world it is even easier for the evil person to purposely make trouble for a leader with their slanderous speech. They can even do it anonymously which makes it even harder to deal with.
There’s not much you can do about evil people that are outside your organization, but certainly the wise leader can and should do everything they can to avoid association or even contact with people you know to be evil, slanderous trouble makers.
If they are inside your organization do what you can to get rid of them They reflect poorly on you and your organization!
Please leave me a comment and let me know how this week’s Inspired Leadership Minute inspired you!
Sound advice, Ron. Sadly, such people do exist in our work environments. Holding them accountable is key. Also, by conducting ourselves to the highest standards, we make it more difficult for such individuals to foment dissension and spread rumors about us!
John,
Great point about accountability. Our society seems to be lacking that particular virtue these days!