Does your decision-making process include wise counselors? (111-1)

Every decision a leader makes has the potential to establish direction for leadership success or leadership failure. There are times when one bad decision can put a limit on a leader’s future leadership opportunities. Read 2 Chronicles 10:1-19.

King Solomon has successfully ruled Israel for 40 years. Under his leadership Israel had prospered to the point that according to 9:27a, “The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones…” At his death his 41-year-old son Rehoboam assumed leadership.

When the people came to establish Rehoboam as king, they had one demand and that was for the new king to lighten their taxes. Solomon’s advisors counseled the new king to meet the people’s demands. After all, Solomon had amassed enough wealth to operate the government for many years even with a lightened annual tax load on the people. Rehobaom had a pre-determined outcome in mind so he rashly rejected the advice of the elders. His decision was unwise and he soon felt the repercussions of his decision. The nation split and 10 of the 12 tribes seceded and formed a second kingdom under the leadership of Jeroboam, a disgruntled official that had been exiled from Solomon’s government.

Effective leaders understand the importance of numerous counselors in the decision-making process. The Proverbs, written by Solomon (Rehoboam’s father) state that, “Plans go wrong with too few counselors; many counselors bring success” (15:22 tlb) and “Don’t go ahead with your plans without the advice of others; don’t go to war until they agree” (20:18 tlb).

There is a second element beyond seeking “many” counselors during the decision-making process: choose highly qualified counselors. Rehoboam did seek counselors as he made the decision to reject the people’s demands. He first sought the elders from Solomon’s administration. These were proven leaders, experienced, who had a heart for God, were objective, had a love for the people, had complementary gifts and were loyal to the leader and the nation. Rehoboam rejected their advice and sought advice from leaders who simply agreed with him.

Rehoboam’s mistake was assuming wise counsel was optional if it did not agree with his pre-determined desires. Effective decision-making leaders choose their counselors wisely and pre-determine to weight their advice heavily in the decision-making process.