Have your team members adopted your core values? (114-5)

Yesterday, we looked at leaders becoming winners by winning the internal battle. Effective leaders know that it is not enough for them to win the inside battle; they know their team also must win that battle for the organization to go to another level. Read 2 Chronicles 34 and 35.

Josiah is remembered as a king of Judah that “…walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left” (34:2b). His legacy is that of an effective leader and godly king. No leader can leave this kind of legacy without a quality team surrounding them. Josiah’s reforms affected the whole nation because his beliefs and core values became the beliefs and core values of those that surrounded him in leadership.

When a Book of the Law (probably written by Moses) was discovered during a remodeling of the temple and read to Josiah, Josiah realized he needed to make additional changes to his character if he were to truly be God’s leader. Once he understood internal change was needed for him “…the king called together all the elders (senior leaders) of Judah and Jerusalem…He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which had been found in the temple of the Lord. The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord – to follow the Lord and keep His commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it” (34:29-32).

As the nation’s leader, Josiah knew his personal change alone would not change the actions of the people to create a climate that honored God in Judah. To change the climate of a nation Josiah knew the leaders surrounding him also needed changes to their character to match the requirements called for in the newly discovered book.

Some ways Josiah lead the nation to make inner changes that honored God:

• Josiah made his personal need for change known to his closest teammates (34:19) and he shared with them how he knew this change was right (34:30). Wise leaders stay connected with their leadership team so everyone knows their direction. Making changes without your team’s understanding of your vision and motives will leave them wondering what is happening and why.
• Josiah knew a team adjusts their internal character to match the leader. Effective leaders stay connected to their team even while they are going through personal revival to their character. The inner circle of leaders will see the changes as improvement not weakness.
• Josiah and his inner circle of leaders clarified what the changes meant for them personally before they went to the broader group of leaders and eventually the entire nation (34:21-22). Knowledgeable leaders make sure the actions they take are internalized and solid so they do not have to jerk the extended team one direction then reverse course. Effective Christian leaders know the inner changes are right and God-honoring before they involve the extended team.
• Josiah communicated his changes clearly and effectively to his inner circle and extended team (34:19, 29 and 32). Knowledgeable leaders clearly communicate changes and expectations and do not assume because they act differently everyone will get it or understand.
• Josiah let his actions concerning his inner change match his words (34:33). Many on the extended team reserve judgment about new direction until they see movement by the leadership to validate their commitment. Effective leaders let their inner beliefs and their actions reinforce their words.

Exodus 18:20 Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.