Leaders make decisions every day, and the patterns established in the small decisions shape the course of the larger ones. Decision-making ability differentiates between poor and good, and between good and great, leaders. Read 1 Chronicles 12:1 and 23-38.

Saul, former king of Israel, and his sons were killed in battle and the people of Israel were gathering at Hebron, about to make David king over Israel. Tucked away in the middle of the information concerning the type of men and number of men sent from each of the 12 tribes is verse 32, which describes the delegation from the tribe of Issachar. This verse tells us that the men of Issachar “understood the times and knew what Israel should do.”

The men of Issachar were known for two essential components of effective decision making: awareness and decisiveness. Like the men of Issachar, leaders need to understand the times and be aware of the cultural climate in which they live and work. Effective leaders gather adequate information before they make a decision and they carefully analyze the pertinent facts. Once those two components are in place, truly effective leaders make the decision, clearly communicate that decision to their team and move forward with the actions to implement the decision.

Decisions reveal a leader’s values and understanding. Decisions demand wisdom and no decision will be truly wise made independently of God. Wise godly leaders understand the importance of seeking God’s direction in both their awareness of the facts and implementation of the actions required to fulfill the decision that is made. God’s Word gives some clear direction to every leader on making wise decisions. The following are just a few nuggets from the Living Bible, the book of Proverbs (the parenthetical elements have been added):

• Proverbs 12:15 “A fool (foolish leader) thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others.”
• Proverbs 13:10 “Pride leads to arguments; be humble, take advice and become wise (become a wise leader).”
• Proverbs 24:6 “Don’t go to war (don’t make a major decision with unalterable ramifications) without wise guidance; there is safety in many counselors.”
• Proverbs 16:3 “Commit your work (the decision-making process) to the Lord, then it will succeed.”
• Proverbs 18:13 “What a shame – yes, how stupid! – to decide before knowing the facts.”
• Proverbs 18:15 “The intelligent man (wise leader) is always open to new ideas (finding the current, relevant, cultural facts). In fact, he looks for them.
• Proverbs 19:21 “Man proposes, but God makes the final decision.”

To what degree do you seek the counsel of the Lord and wait on Him when making decisions? The men of Issachar were well-informed and decisive; learn from them, but lean on God.