Leadership lessons from the life of an 8-year-old king
Perhaps, by default, when you hear someone talk about leadership, you may have this default imagination of a tall, skin-glowing, shirt-starched, passionate someone, just living the life of their dreams. Perhaps, when you hear the term, “young leader”, you may continue to imagine the cars and luxury furnished lifestyle that someone must enjoy. It is no crime, let your imagination stray like a wild goose to freedom.
KING JOSIAH
In biblical reflection, it is different. Age is never a limit to leave a legacy. This was the case of a young man, regarded as one of the youngest kings in the land of Judah. King Josiah demonstrated remarkable leadership qualities and made significant reforms in his kingdom as an 8-year-old king. Let us take a journey into the leadership lessons we can glean from his life:
- Wisdom & Knowledge
One of the striking aspects of King Josiah was his commitment to embracing wisdom and seeking knowledge. At a young age he showed a great desire to follow and understand God’s law. It was this hunger that led him to rediscover the book of the law that was left, forgotten for years. As a leader, it is crucial to have a thirst for knowledge and a commitment to continuous learning. Embracing wisdom enables leaders to make informed decisions, gain insights, and guide their followers effectively. - Boldness
King Josiah, despite his young and tender age demonstrated boldness and fearlessness in the implementing of important reforms in the land of Judah. He fearlessly challenged the prevailing idolatrous practices in the land of Judah. He worked diligently to restore the temple of the Lord for true worship to take place. King Josiah’s courage and determination serve as a reminder that leaders must be willing to take bold actions and stand up for what is right, even in the face of opposition. By demonstrating bravery, leaders can inspire others to follow their example and effect positive change in the life of others. This does not suggest the absence of fear sometimes, but through the help of God and continuously pushing ourselves to take bold steps in our life we can be victorious. - Righteousness
King Josiah was a very righteous young man and this showed through his actions and lifestyle. He was personally involved in the tearing down of the idols and purging the land of the pagan practices and reinstating the Passover. He led by example, and this made his people respect and follow his instruction, as young as he was. Leaders are expected to lead by example and with this they can gain people’s trust and respect. When leaders actively participate in the work they ask of others, it creates a sense of unity, camaraderie, and shared purpose within the organization or community. - Counsel
Leaders who desire to be effective must cultivate the habit of seeking guidance from trusted mentors, advisors, or spiritual leaders. Leaders need to understand that decisions made in isolation may lack perspective. Seeking counsel can lead to making a better-informed choice. Let us not forget that one of the things that contributed to the successful reign of King Josiah was the fact that he sought advice from people that knew better than him, like prophetess Huldah, who helped him understand the book of the law which he in-turn read to the people, reminding them of the laws God expected them to follow. Leaders should not be scared to seek counsel from others. Leaders are expected to have someone or a set of people that can help guide them when they are about making decision. - Humility
One of the biggest lessons from the life of King Josiah is him cultivating a heart of humility. Despite the accomplishment and the power, he had at his disposal he was humble throughout his leadership journey. He recognized that his success was not solely due to his own abilities but attributed it to God’s favor and it was God who sustained him. Humility is a vital trait for leaders as it allows them to acknowledge the contributions of others, seek advice, and learn from different perspectives. By cultivating a heart of humility, leaders create an atmosphere of inclusivity, foster collaboration, and encourage bonding among their team members.
The lessons learnt from the leadership life of King Josiah cannot be overemphasized and his style of leadership made him a great king worthy of mention. As leaders, we will need to take a proper look into the life of this young king and see how to apply every lesson learnt to our life’s journeys, including putting God at the center of our lives.
