James 1: 12-15
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

When I read over this passage the one thing that always jumps out to me is the truth that sin really begins and ends with me. I can only be tempted by that which I set mind on beforehand. The crushing reality that as I start to blame my sin on things, situations or other people… I can’t… I have to come to grips with the truth that I can only really be tempted when I have allowed my mind to desire something I shouldn’t.

What about in leadership? Are we on guard and protecting our minds from being tempted so that our actions don’t bring death?

Ten things that can tempt and bring death to a leader:

1. Focus on personal advancement instead of team success.
2. Shift blame to others instead of absorbing it yourself.
3. Avoiding a hard conversation because you might not be liked afterwards.
4. Wanting to be heard instead of trying to listen.
5. Delegating to the point of being unaware.
6. Make decisions that please people instead of the right ones.
7. Delaying tough decisions under the disguise of needing more information.
8. Always acting like you know all the answers.
9. Never seek advice or wisdom for fear of appearing incapable of your role.
10. Believe you’ve learned all there is to know about what you do.

Leadership can come with many privileges. It also comes with many pains. If we allow our minds to desire those privileges over the pain, our focus will soon drift to serving ourself, which will be the beginning of the death of our leadership.

But to the leader that is steadfast…to the one who stands through the test… LIFE… not just to the leader, but also to the ones they lead.