Page 9 - The Bible On Leadership

x Preface

speeches for him. But the strength of his vision and his commitment to
Israel’s mission made him the ultimate visionary and a leader the people
would follow through the most adverse circumstances. Many modern
corporations experience adverse conditions, but few are condemned to
wander in a desert (real or allegorical) for forty years. The Burning Bush
is a corporate vision par excellence, and the Ten Commandments are
the ultimate mission statement.
❖ Joshua succeeded Moses, and that transfer of power is an example
of thorough succession planning, assisted by divine intervention. It
would take a great and inspiring leader to replace Moses and lead the
Israelites into the Promised Land. Joshua’s motivational genius and stra-
tegic planning helped the Israelites literally knock down impregnable
fortresses.
❖ Samson is one of the best ‘‘negative case studies’’ in history. He
possessed great physical strength, but had some tremendous ‘‘blind
spots’’ in his interpersonal judgment. The person he most desired was
actually the person he had most to fear and who brought about his
downfall. Samson was literally ‘‘blindsided’’ by an enemy he thought
was a friend, and who also happened to be a member of the opposite
gender. There are a lot of lessons in this story for today’s business leader.
❖ Job had more troubles than any modern corporate executive, yet
he stuck to his faith and his vision. His ‘‘case study’’ can teach the
modern executive a lot about sticking to your vision despite obstacles,
suffering, and doubters.
❖ Jesus, the son of a carpenter and born in a manger, rose to found
the most populous religion on earth. Jesus’ communication skills were
consummate. He was able to cogently communicate new and revolu-
tionary ideas using parables instead of direct explanation, and he was
able to answer Pontius Pilate’s loaded questions without appearing a
traitor to Rome or a posturer to his own people. (Pilate: ‘‘Are you King
of the Jews?’’ Jesus: ‘‘You say I am.’’) The Sermon on the Mount is a
beautiful example of motivational communication, which influenced
not just the small assembly there but millions of people in millions of
assemblies since. His work with the disciples was some of the most