Leadership Lessons from Joseph
Read the Biblical passages about Joseph one more time and consider some of his characteristics that made him such a great leader.
We learn many lessons from Joseph that will propel us forward in our leadership growth.
Maybe the most vital characteristic we can learn is flexibility. Joseph remained flexible regardless of the challenges thrown at him. They falsely accused him and cast him into prison. Then, the people he helped forgot him for over two years before he could ever step into his primary role of leadership. Joseph's flexibility enabled him to lead in every position he encountered throughout his life.
Joseph clearly shows what it means to forgive. His brothers had thrown him in a pit and were plotting his murder just before they sold him into slavery. When he had the actual power and ability to get vengeance, he forgave them. He never allowed bitterness to take over his life.
Joseph shows faithfulness wonderfully. He never quits trusting God and waiting for God in all that happens in his life. He deals with trials, temptations, testings, false accusations, and character assassination and continually keeps his eyes on God’s will for his life. Joseph’s faithfulness helped him refuse to compromise his moral principles even in the most difficult circumstances.
Joseph has foresight. He sees what needs to be done, gets leadership from the Lord, and saves the world for his generation. Joseph averted the famine and saved his family's future. Joseph cared about people. He met their needs.
Joseph learned to handle frustrations with a good attitude. Family mistreated him, slavers mistreated him, his owner’s wife falsely accused him, and his friends forgot him, but he remained firm. He kept a good attitude.
I love Joseph’s fortitude. He humbly acknowledges God in everything. He handles years of testing and is strong enough to keep going forward.
Joseph saved the future, ensuring his family’s legacy due to all these leadership traits. I think there might some things to consider here.