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Actions for the Early Stages of Leadership
1 Kings 12:1
"And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king."
When a person acquires a new position of leadership, the first few months of how they lead may determine their influence and longevity in that position. When Rehoboam acquired the position of king after Solomon passed away, he made some huge mistakes that limited his scope of leadership. Instead of copying Solomon's actions when he became king, to his detriment Rehoboam tried to blaze his own trail. You will find five things from Rehoboam's life that will help you when you acquire a new position of leadership.
First, listen to your followers. When I say listen to your followers, I mean it. Too many leaders act like they are listening, but they are only letting the follower vent hoping that it will be enough. Rehoboam listened to his followers, but not really. They told him how they would follow, but he didn't listen. If a leader will listen to those whom they lead, they will find out how to lead them. Followers will often in conversations reveal how they follow. If a leader will listen, he will be able to understand his followers desires and need for leadership in their life. Let me caution you, when I say listen to your followers, I am not saying to let the followers dictate where you will stand on truth and principle, I am talking about how they will follow your leadership. Whenever you acquire a new position, it is important that you immediately establish a relationship with your followers by listening to them when they speak.
Second, get wise counsel. Just because you have acquired position does not mean that you know everything about leading. Rehoboam made the mistake of listening to his peers and not to wise counselors. When you acquire position, find a wise older people who can help counsel you in your endeavors. Wise older people will have the counsel you need to help you establish your position so that you can better help your followers.
Third, serve your followers. The greatest mistake many leaders make is they stop serving people and expect people to serve them. The purpose of leadership is to serve those whom they lead. When you acquire position, realize the purpose of your leadership is to serve those whom you lead. Find out what they need and serve them. You hold your position of leadership to help improve them so they can better serve the LORD. Never make your position about what you can get out of it, but make your position about how you can use it to the betterment of your followers.
Fourth, don't entertain disloyalty. Rehoboam's first mistake was he gave a hearing to Jeroboam who was disloyal to his father. Often new leaders will think they will be able to lead someone who was disloyal to the previous leader. Let me make this clear, you should always be wary of disloyal people. Until they get right over their disloyalty, you should keep them at arms length. You are most likely not a better leader than the previous person whom a disloyal person would not follow, so eventually they will be disloyal to you when the newness wears off. Don't welcome disloyalty, but keep them at arms length.
Last, walk with God. The sad part about Rehoboam in this story is you don't see God mentioned one time until the very end. If Rehoboam would have walked with God, he may have been able to establish his leadership role in Israel. When you acquire leadership, keep walking with God. Nothing will help you to be a better leader than walking with God. God is the One Who gives position, and He is also the One Who has the wisdom to help you with that position.
Serving people through leadership is a wonderful life. Learn from the principles above how to conduct yourself in the early stages of leadership and you will have many years to serve those whom you lead.