An Essential Ingredient for Leadership

He chose David his servant
and took him from the sheepfolds;
from following the nursing ewes
he brought him to shepherd Jacob his people,
Israel his inheritance.
With upright heart he
shepherded them and guided them with his skilful hand.
(Psalm 78:70–72 ESV)

God is always on the search for men and women of integrity.

Our world does not need more gifted leaders. We need more men and women who lead with integrity. In fact, it is an essential ingredient for leadership. For anyone who has any measure of influence, that is God’s high calling upon his or her life.

Integrity leads a person to be verbally trustworthy, privately clean, financially accountable, intellectually honest, personally responsible, morally pure, relationally fair, and faithful to God and others.

As you give that list careful thought, it’s tempting to ask, “Can anybody ever measure up?” It sounds humanly impossible. It goes against our fallen nature. Integrity refuses to massage our pride. By God’s grace, though, it is possible. Otherwise, He would never expect it of us. Daniel inevitably comes to mind when I think of an inspiring example of unvarnished integrity.

Integrity on the Rise

At the start of Daniel 6, we find integrity taking Daniel to the top. King Darius appointed 120 officers, each to rule over Babylon’s 120 provinces. Over the officers, he placed three administrators. Daniel was one of them.

Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire. (Daniel 6:3)

I imagine Daniel stood out for his great attitude, positive outlook on life, and his faithfulness to fulfil his responsibilities. He must have had great relational skills and proved himself to be diligent, consistent, and trustworthy. Daniel’s worth caught the king’s attention.

As the news spread of the king’s plan to promote Daniel, so did envy and resentment among Daniel’s peers.

Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticise or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. (Daniel 6:4)

It never fails. When you stand out, there will always be those who want you to fall. Don’t let that fact move you. Don’t ignore it either. You must be wise and aware. But envy will be there. In Daniel’s case, their bitter hearts led to a conspiracy. Yet, we read nothing about panic in Daniel. No knee-jerk reaction. No quick cover-up. While Daniel’s integrity drew enemies at the top, it also gave him a deep inner security. Integrity is like a thick, warm blanket on a cold day. In his book The Integrity Crisis, Warren Wiersbe writes, “People with integrity have nothing to hide and nothing to fear.” That was Daniel.

Integrity Under Fire

So his enemies “concluded, ‘Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion’” (Daniel 6:5). They tricked King Darius through flattery to create a thirty-day law requiring all people to pray only to him. Rebels would be hurled into a den of lions. Enamoured with his own majesty, “King Darius signed the law” (Daniel 6:9).

But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. (Daniel 6:10)

Daniel’s integrity led him to the top. Daniel’s integrity drew enemies at the top. Now, Daniel’s integrity kept him faithful at the top—regardless of whatever might happen.

Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?” “Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” (Daniel 6:11–12)

They informed him that Daniel still prays to his God three times a day. The “king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel,” but he couldn’t (Daniel 6:14). They threw Daniel into the den of lions and placed a large stone over the opening “so that no one could rescue Daniel” (Daniel 6:17). But Daniel went untouched. God took away the lions’ appetite. And you know the rest of the story.

A Major Goal to Uphold

Whether in ministry, at home, or at work—wherever, you name it—anyone who is in a position of leadership does well to learn integrity from Daniel’s example. I hope that for you. As a leader, you are a model. You are being observed, quoted, and examined. It won’t always be fair nor come from a pure motive. But it will happen. Determine to be free of all duplicity and hypocrisy. Make it one of your major goals to uphold this essential ingredient. It doesn’t come easily or automatically. It comes only intentionally. As you pursue integrity, keep in mind these three things:

1. You will seldom get what you deserve from people. Don’t expect it. That applies to both criticism and honour, promotions and demotions. The timing is rarely perfect. The world’s approach is usually wrong. It often won’t be fair.
2. You will always get what is best from God. Don’t doubt it. It may not come in the package that we expect or at the time we may want it or in the manner we anticipate it. But His plans are always best and His ways are always right because Christ is always good and He is always near.
3. Your ability to handle what you get from people and what you get from God depends on your walk with God. That’s where integrity comes in. It helps you handle the praise. It helps you handle the tests. It helps when you’re on the peak of the mountain and when you’re in the shadows of the valley. Integrity is relevant for every situation, needed through every situation, and rewarding in every situation.

Our Father, we find ourselves strangely warmed by the fire of Daniel’s life. Godliness marked his every move, yet his enemies treated him like an animal. The battles of leadership are long, hot, and difficult. We need You every step of the way. Fill us with integrity. Help us with our priorities. Guard us from panic, disillusionment, and bitterness. We open our lives to You. Keep a close watch over us. In the name of the One who is our strength and model, Jesus our Lord, amen.