The Leadership ChallengeSample

Challenge 21

SOLOMON: MANAGING YOUR EMOTIONS

READ: Proverbs 29:1–27

The wise sayings in the book of Proverbs are generally not so much promises as expressions of how things generally work when we follow God’s precepts. As we might expect, many of the proverbs deal with issues of the heart, a word used in Scripture to describe the seat of human emotions and also including our intellect and will. Proverbs 29:11 says that “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.” What Solomon is describing is part of what leadership experts now call “emotional intelligence.” This theory proposes that the most successful leaders demonstrate emotional mastery, which is commonly divided into four areas: self-awareness, social awareness, self-management, and relationship management. Our text deals with emotional self-awareness. Successful leaders are aware of their emotions and know how to manage them. They have self-control and know that giving full vent to what they are feeling at the moment rarely accomplishes relational goals. We should be transparent about our emotions but not in ways that are demeaning or destructive to those on our team.

What other lessons can we learn about leadership form this section of Proverbs? How can you learn to better manage your emotions?