Humility - An Essential Characteristic of Healthy Leadership
John Houston - Chief Executive Officer
I get to meet with business leaders from different cultures and demographics. It’s truly an honor to spend time with and learn from so many wise people. I’ve found one key aspect that I’ve come to recognize and admire in the best leaders I know: Humility.
I recently found an article about how Paul saw himself as the chief among sinners. It really spoke to me and led me to think about 1 Timothy 1:15. God is teaching me how Paul set an incredible example of humility.
“…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.”
1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV
You may remember that Paul was previously Saul, a prosecutor, and murderer of Christians. In this verse, we see that many years later, after his radical transformation with God, starting many churches, and writing most of the New Testament, he still referred to himself as the “chief of all sinners.”God used him in a huge way, yet he never lost sight of who he had been before. Instead, he was humble and thankful for God’s gift of salvation and redemption, even while being confident in God’s call on his life.
If you’re the chief of something, you’re the leader and influencer. This is such a powerful word Paul uses to describe himself. He doesn’t think he’s “arrived.” He still remembers where he came from and His ongoing need for God. Even though God loves us unconditionally, we should not forget that we are always in need of His grace and mercy.
If I view myself as the chief of all sinners, I’m no longer judgmental of others – I see myself as needy as others are for a Savior. We all fall short and can only do good things with the power of God working in and through us. Conversion doesn’t mean we’re not sinners anymore. It means we’ve accepted the free gift God gave, and we have to keep on receiving it! God may have brought me this far, but I still have a way to go.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
The “pattern” of the typical business leader's world is busyness, pride, and climbing the ladder of success. The enemy is really good at distracting us with these things. This is how he gets those of us who’ve been walking with God for a while. We may do “good,” but we need to desire to do God's good, perfect, pleasing will.
Paul knew the foundation of strong leadership was remembering his neediness for God. Even after some success, he still referred to himself as the chief of sinners. So, the only way to be aware of God’s perfect will is to continually remind myself that I don’t know the way. Only God is good, and I am nothing without Him. Therefore, we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit so He can continually teach us and reveal our weaknesses and need for Him.
Here is a prayer we can pray:
“God, I don’t even know my own heart. I’m not okay with just the good – I want to be in His perfect, pleasing will, not just the good. I’m the chief of all sinners, and I need Your help. Teach me to be like You and to lead others to You. Thank You for Your love for me. Amen.”