Promoted Beyond Character

The school bell has rung, class is now in session.

During the latter part of Summer 2023, I was listening to a Pastor discuss the weight of leadership and the importance of being careful when holding influence over others.

Leaders should aim to inspire, not diminish.

The Pastor spoke of several influential people, who were recently exposed publicly for misrepresenting their organizations and mistreating those who were under them. He made a statement that really resonated with me, he said that some people are promoted past their character, meaning they are placed in a position their character cannot support.

CHARACTER – VARIABLE NOUN

Your character is your personality, especially how reliable and honest you are. If someone is of good character, they are reliable and honest. If they are of bad character, they are unreliable and dishonest.

Simply put, good or bad, your character is truly who you are when no one is looking.

For example, if behind closed doors, a leader is comfortable participating in under-handed schemes, stepping on or downplaying others to get ahead, but attempt to only do “good” when they have an audience; the truth will be revealed if they do not change.

It is for this reason that having integrity is so important before assuming a leadership role because it promotes being “undivided” in character, which will ultimately lead to trust.

Lack of integrity will lead to Mistrust because in this case, the leader will not have enough character to feel badly about being one way in your face, and another way behind your back. When this behavior becomes a pattern, remember, do not allow the promotion past their character, to affect yours.

The Book of Mark Chapter 9 Verse 42, went as far to say that if someone offends a little one, or someone subordinate to them, they would definitely be held accountable.

Mark 9:42 KJV

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone was hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

Everyone is always striving to become a leader, but remember to whom much is given, much is required ~Luke 12:48

The school bell has rung, class dismissed.