Leaders may begin well. The LORD has given them vision for the organization they have been tasked with leading. But, in time they begin to drink the koolaid of power and self-sufficiency.
Leadership
The Slide Into Toxic Leadership 1: The Story of Jeroboam, King of Israel
Toxic leadership almost always involves heightened anxiety caused by a fear of losing status or a position of leadership resulting in anger, defensiveness, and blame-shifting when confronted.
When a Leader Turns Toxic: Asa King of Judah
There are those leaders who are simply bad. They are toxic to their core and they reap destruction in the workplace. But, there are leaders who begin well and end badly.
Self-Differentiation and the Use of Gifts
Self-differentiation is rooted in biblical and psychological concepts. We need go no further than to focus on the examples of Jesus and King David to illustrate dependence and trust in God as necessary to use our gifting.
The Responsibility of Leaders: Stopping Oppressive Workplaces
King Solomon was maybe the wisest king of all time, How did it all end and what does it teach leaders today?
What if a Leader were to Boast in Weaknesses?
A leader boasting in weaknesses can demonstrate humility and reliance on Christ's strength, distinguishing good leadership from toxic leadership. Without humility there is just no way.
Zechariah and Toxic Christian Leadership
Our distrust of God is what drives our trust in ourselves. We, in practice, believe that we can make better decisions, control situations better, and get the job done better than the LORD, even if we would never admit that. So too the Israelite leaders—priests and kings and counselors—thought they knew better than the LORD when Zechariah spoke around 500 B.C.
Real Change: Peter and Abuse
Peter's words for those struggling with abusive or controlling tendencies emphasize the need for inner transformation and repentance.
The Gods Have Come Down: The Temptations of Praise
What happens down, deep within you when your subordinates, or even friends, begin to praise your holy name? Does your heart rise up and meet their praises with praises of its own? Does your heart congratulate itself and take on new proportions?
What’s In a Title?
The dangers of ego and hypocrisy often come into play when titles are a means of image control. It takes the self-examination of motives to avoid toxic leadership and maintain genuine integrity and character within all our spheres of influence.