As leaders we must make a lot of decisions, many of which may be quite consequential. We need to make sure we’re on the right track so our decisions align with God and His ways. If we’re on the wrong track, our decisions may seem right to us because they fit that track. God warns us, however, that “there is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Prov. 14:12). To get on and stay on the right track, we need to heed God’s instruction in Proverbs 4:23. — “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Heart Qualities in a Leader that Tend to Keep Decisions on the Right Track
While we could develop a long list of leader qualities, we’ll consider five that have significant impact on the decision-making process.
1) Humility
No matter how long we’ve been in leadership, we don’t have all the answers. If we admit that, we’ll be more prone to turn to God for His wisdom and grace. God “guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” (Prov. 25:9). That puts us on the right track.
Read: Making Decisions from a Place of Humility
2) Integrity
To get on and stay on the right track, we can’t compromise God’s standards for His ways are higher than our ways (Isa. 55:9). That will keep us from manipulating people to bend to our personal preferences for it’s God’s greater good we seek.
Read: Retrofitted Decisions
3) Love
When we make it our primary purpose to love the Lord our God with all of who we are and to love others (Matt. 22:37-40), we will make decisions in light of how they glorify God and affect others. It will no longer be simply about how something affects us.
Read: Decision-Making Questions for Lining Up
4) Perseverance
We not only need to get on the right track but stay on it. How easily we can get distracted and pulled away when obstacles come our way. God wants us to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us” which we do by “fixing our eyes on Jesus” so we don’t “grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:1-3).
Read: Derailed Decisions
5) Self-control
Sometimes as leaders we may be on the right track but become impatient with God’s timing or the readiness of people. We therefore rush the process and then wonder why things didn’t go as they should have. We need to learn to “keep in step with the Spirit” rather than pursue decisions on our timetable. As we walk with by the Spirit, He will develop within us the patience and self-control we need so we don’t rush ahead or lag behind (Gal. 5:22-25).
Read: Rushed Decisions
May we each pray, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139.23-24)
For More About a Leader’s Character, Go To: Leader Qualities and Attitudes Resources
All Posts about Decision-Making:
- Making Decisions That Line Up
- Decision-Making Questions for Lining Up
- If You Find Yourself Making All the Decisions
- Pluses & Minuses of Getting Others Involved in Decision Making
- Who Makes the Final Decision?
- Stifled in Decision-Making?
- Rushed Decisions
- Delayed Decisions
- Derailed Decisions
- Retrofitted Decisions
- Decisions Reveal Faith in God’s Power?
- Decisions You Don’t Have to Be Ashamed to Make
- Decisions Examined at Foot of the Cross
- Making Decisions from a Place of Humility
- Making Wise Decisions
- Making Decisions Void of Legalism
- Foolish Not to Pray
- Wisdom & Discernment Needed
- Decisions from a Renewed Mind
- Equipped for Making Good Decisions
- The Spirit Helps Us Make the Right Decisions, the Right Way
- The Spirit Provides Guidance and Wisdom in Decision-Making
- Decisions Worthy of Bearing His Name
- Strongholds Affecting Decision-Making
- How to Demolish Strongholds So We Make the Best Decisions
- Protection for the Decision-Making Process
- Decisions Made from Our Raised Position
- Setting an Example in Decision Making
- Servanthood Affects Decision Making
- Leader Qualities that Keep Decisions on the Right Track
- Shepherds Make Wise Decisions