Examples of Good Leadership in the Hebrew Bible
Leadership, in this writer’s point of view, is the ability to guide organization in times of hardships; and manage or organize them to accomplish a goal; however, it does not mean leaders can command their fellows. Meanwhile, good leaders are always crowned with eternal glory for their hard work, including some biblical figures in the Hebrew Bible, like Abraham, Joseph and
Moses, for the Bible provides many biblical accounts towards different traits of leaderships.
After reviewing the examples of good leadership in the Hebrew Bible, three primary characteristics are regularly demonstrated. They include: being visionary, being able to prioritize, and defending social justice; plus, these qualities are still essential to the exercise of good leadership today.
Being visionary is a key element in becoming an effective leader, and this quality is particularly evident in the story of Joseph interpreting the dream of Pharaoh. After interpreting the dream, he directed the planning and logistics of saving and gathering enough food during the seven plenteous years to against the seven years of famine. His act spared Egyptians as well as his family—the future nation of Israel; seemingly, good leaders should have a vision that enables them to overcome difficult times. The same quality is required for an effective leader today. In
1979, China was one of the poorest countries in the world, even poorer than India; but with the help of the politician and reformist leader of the Communist Party of China, Deng Xiaoping, who set an economic vision --- a 70-year policy to transform China into an advanced economy,
China quickly picked up her pace in economic development. Several millions of Chinese were lifted out of the poverty and China has achieved an astounding 8.5% yearly increase in GDP per capita for three decades (John Ross, http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/201106/01/content_12619024.htm,15/03/2013). All the improvement and achievements accomplished by China resulted from
Moses, for the Bible provides many biblical accounts towards different traits of leaderships.
After reviewing the examples of good leadership in the Hebrew Bible, three primary characteristics are regularly demonstrated. They include: being visionary, being able to prioritize, and defending social justice; plus, these qualities are still essential to the exercise of good leadership today.
Being visionary is a key element in becoming an effective leader, and this quality is particularly evident in the story of Joseph interpreting the dream of Pharaoh. After interpreting the dream, he directed the planning and logistics of saving and gathering enough food during the seven plenteous years to against the seven years of famine. His act spared Egyptians as well as his family—the future nation of Israel; seemingly, good leaders should have a vision that enables them to overcome difficult times. The same quality is required for an effective leader today. In
1979, China was one of the poorest countries in the world, even poorer than India; but with the help of the politician and reformist leader of the Communist Party of China, Deng Xiaoping, who set an economic vision --- a 70-year policy to transform China into an advanced economy,
China quickly picked up her pace in economic development. Several millions of Chinese were lifted out of the poverty and China has achieved an astounding 8.5% yearly increase in GDP per capita for three decades (John Ross, http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/201106/01/content_12619024.htm,15/03/2013). All the improvement and achievements accomplished by China resulted from