Every leader needs someone who will give them wise counsel rather than a rebuke even when they need to vent. Read Matthew 11:1-6.

John the Baptist, Jesus’ cousin, had been imprisoned by King Herod for publicly holding him accountable for a moral failure. Prison stripped John’s inner circle of support from him and left him emotionally empty. John had a firm grip on his personal identity and mission; he knew he was called to prepare the people for Jesus’ message, but in a moment of weakness questioned Jesus’ identity. He sent his disciples to present his question to Jesus. Instead of reprimanding John for having doubts, Jesus provided the prophet with the information he needed to be strengthened and have his faith renewed.

A leader’s integrity is obvious to those who know them. Read Daniel 6:1-5.

Daniel had served faithfully and with integrity as an advisor to Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar of Babylon and after the fall of Babylon to King Darius of the Medo-Persian Empire. Darius saw immediately that Daniel was a gifted leader and appointed him as one of the three administrators that ran the nation and protected Darius’ interests. Darius was about to promote Daniel to the chief of the administrators and this generated significant jealousy among the other leaders in Babylon. They determined to find the dirt on Daniel so they could get him out of Darius’ government. Interesting that in verses 4-5 “They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.” Now that is integrity!

God-honoring leaders will stand in the gap for their team. Read Ezekiel 22:1-31.

Through Ezekiel God describes the leaders in Judah and Jerusalem. They oppressed and destroyed those God had given them influence over. God contrasts that in verse 30 with the kind of leader he is looking for that will “stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land (and the people) so I would not have to destroy it.” Because there were no leaders who were not self-serving, God brought judgment on the entire nation of Judah.

Wise Christian leaders make strategic alliances with great care. Read Isaiah 31:1-3.

The Lord spoke through Isaiah to condemn the leaders of Judah for seeking alliances with military partners for defense against the Assyrian Empire. Not just once but several times God warned the leaders in Judah not to make an alliance with Egypt. In spite of the warnings, the leaders in Judah chose the visible force who had chariots and trained warriors rather than the invisible time tested and proven, protection offered by God. God’s warning to the leaders was that, “…he who helps will stumble, he who is helped will fall; both will perish together” (v. 3).

Often a leader’s success can be created by simply doing what no one else is willing to do. Read Proverbs 31:10-31.

In many situations people know what to do but are too tired or afraid or apathetic to act. That’s when a self-disciplined leader who is equally tired, equally afraid steps forward and does what needs to be done. A person with self-discipline will provide leadership when others simply refuse to act.