Effective leaders see a better future for their organization and act upon that vision. They demonstrate courage based on conviction and make the hard decisions needed to bring about change. Read 2 Chronicles 34.

“Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did – with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the law of Moses” (2 Kings 23:25). Josiah “walked in the ways of his father David, not turning to the right or to the left” (2 Chronicles 34:2). Now that is a legacy every Christian leader would love to have.

If a leader is to make changes in their work environment, the change will start within them and then spread to their environment. Read 2 Kings 22:10-23:25.

John Maxwell discusses how Josiah created public reform in Judah by first starting with personal renewal.

Throughout his 31 years of godly leadership, King Josiah wholeheartedly followed the Lord and devoted himself to leading the people well. His own spiritual passion soon began to influence Judah and eventually brought about public reform.

Given a choice, most leaders would choose to be effective and have a positive legacy rather than be ineffective and leave a reputation of poor performance. A positive legacy is possible for every leader if they remain humble and teachable. Read 2 Kings 22.

Josiah became king of Judah at age eight, following the murder of his father (2 Kings 21:23-26). Yet, unlike his father, the Bible says Josiah “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or the left.”

Leaders can set dynamics in motion, both positive and negative, that continue to influence the world long after they are gone. Read 2 Kings 21:1-9.

Hezekiah prayed to God while he was on his death bed and received an extra 15 years of life. Prior to this life extension the Bible gives only a glowing report of Hezekiah’s actions. It was during these 15 years that Hezekiah became prideful and had to be rebuked by God through the prophet Isaiah. It was also during those 15 years a son named Manasseh was born. At Hezekiah’s death, Manasseh became king of Judah. Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king and he ruled in Jerusalem over the nation of Judah for 55 years.

Few things are more difficult for a leader than to give a firm rebuke to a team member. Yet there are times when confrontation is the most loving thing a leader can do for another person. Read 2 Kings 20:16-19a.

Hezekiah was one of only two kings in Judah who completely followed the Lord. In the days of Esarhaddon, King of Assyria, Hezekiah became ill to the point of death. Hezekiah poured out his heart to God in prayer and God graciously granted him an extra 15 years of life.