Effective leaders connect with their team before they correct their team. Read Malachi 1:1-14.

The name Malachi means “Messenger of Yahweh.” Malachi was the last prophet to bring the Hebrew people any message from God until John the Baptist brought God’s word to the Jews approximately 400 years later as the forerunner of Jesus. Malachi uses an easy to follow question and answer format to address issues such as divorce, infidelity, hypocrisy, tithing, false worship, complacency, and arrogance. Even though Malachi had a difficult message of the changes the leaders needed to make to please God he made a connection with the people before he brought God’s message of correction.

Leaders are in demand when they see the personal growth, well being, and mentoring of their team as part of their leadership responsibility. Read Jeremiah 23:1-16.

God spoke harsh words through His prophet Jeremiah to the leaders of Judah for how they treated the people they led. Verse one starts with the words “Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering …” In this context the word “Woe” is used as a threat to indicate that the shepherds (the leaders) would regret something or be punished in some way. God had put these leaders in charge to care for the people of Judah as a shepherd would care for the sheep in his flock, not to see them as a burden or as someone they could use to advance their own wealth or comfort.

Every effective leader will serve in the role of watchman at times and sound the alarm for their team when they see trouble ahead. Read Jeremiah 6:16-19.

Jeremiah was described in verse 17 as a watchman. By definition a watchman guards and patrols. The people of Judah had determined not to follow God’s laws or principles and Jeremiah sounded a warning to those living in error. Jeremiah illustrated the leader’s job as a watchman when God asked him to guard or patrol the covenant established between Him and the people.

The Bible not only teaches leaders about God’s nature, leaders can also learn from the many examples of God’s leadership. Read Psalm 23.

When Saul, Israel’s first king, openly disobeyed God, God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king for Israel. He directed Samuel to a farm owned by Jesse and told Samuel he would find the next king among Jesse’s sons. David was approximately 15 years old when Samuel anointed him to be the next king. When Samuel arrived at Jesse’s farm, David was staying in the fields virtually day and night working as a shepherd.

There are several actions a leader can take to pass leadership to a successor they have chosen to take their place. Read 1 Kings 1:28-40.

Transitions in leadership often cause significant problems for groups and organizations. David planned for his son Solomon’s succession but failed to adequately communicate this to others. As a result, his son, Adonijah, attempted to take the throne when he saw that his father could no longer rule. It is one thing to plan ahead but another to communicate these plans to others who will be affected by them.