The Law of the Inner Circle Part 7

 David and Those Closest to Him-1 Chronicles 11:10-12:40

There are no Lone Ranger leaders. If you’re alone, you’re not leading anybody.

Think of any highly effective leader, and you will find someone surrounded by a strong inner circle.

Hire the best staff you can find, develop them as much as you can, and hand off everything you possibly can to them. When you have the right staff, potential skyrockets.

You see, every leader’s potential is determined by the people closest to him. If those people are strong, then the leader can make a huge impact. If they are weak, he can’t.

Examine the way David pulled together the core people who made him great:

1. He started building a strong inner circle before he needed it. 

David begin building his team long before he was crowned king. First Chronicles emphasizes how many of the Warriors who flocked to David were leaders (1 Chr. 12:14). David didn’t attract just anyone; he attracted to strong leaders.

2. He attracted people with varied gifts. 

David attracted men of diverse abilities. We read of experienced warriors with a variety of skills—ambidextrous bowmen, slingers, and spearmen—many mighty men of valor, and hundreds of captains. With the help of these men, David felt ready for anything.

3. He engendered loyalty. 

David’s followers displayed incredible loyalty to him throughout his life. In the early days, three of his men risked their lives to get him some water from a favorite well in Bethlehem. Decades later his closest men stayed with him even when it looked as though Absolom might crush his father (2 Sam. 15:21). Those closest to David always seemed willing to put their lives on the line for him.

4. He delegated responsibility based on ability. 

David continually gave authority to others. He designated Joab as commander of the army, and he felt equally secure in giving others civil authority (1 Chr. 18:14-17). Of course, delegating authority always entails risk—witness Joab’s unilateral decision to kill Abner (2 Sam. 3:22-30). But great leaders risk delegation in order to reach the highest level of leadership.

Join me next time for The Law of the Inner Circle Part 8