Billy Graham said many profound things, but among them was this statement, “When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.” Why is it that character plays such a huge part in leadership? Character is fundamental to effective leadership because good character builds trust, and without trust, people will not follow you. When you know there is consistency in a person’s life, it builds trust.
As my wife and I raised four kids, we had just a few non-negotiable rules. One rule, if broken, had dire consequences. It was disrespect to their mother. I used to say if they showed disrespect to mom I would “launch them to the moon.” It was just a phrase, but they got the idea, for sure. Now here’s an interesting result of that “rule.” They experienced peace because they understood the parameters of disrespect. They also experienced more joy. Why? Because when you know freedom within family parameters, joy doesn’t get compromised with fear, doubt, and inconsistency. They also respected my leadership in their lives.
If you arbitrarily change the rules of the family, relationships, or work, those closest to you lose their motivation to follow you. Your consistency reflects your character. Your word is your bond, right? Read what the Psalmist says in Psalm 89:34, “I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips.”