Leading under threat:The Hezekiah approach

Is your leadership under threat? You may not be the head of state, an executive in a major corporation, the head of a ministry or in charge of a department at your place of employment but each of us has control of our our own lives and sometimes we have authority over others as well, even if the people we have authority over are members of our own family. In some sphere and to some degree, you are in charge.

So, as mother or minister, coach or congressman, apprentice or executive, you are a leader, and no doubt you are trying your best. Perhaps, according to any current framework of effective leadership, what you have achieved is outstanding.You have a vision and you are making strides towards realising that vision. You might have done your best to organise your life, you might have put a sound structure to every process that you are responsible for, you show compassion, you share your responsibilities and you seek out avenues to empower those around you. You sincerely  do everything you are capable of to ensure that your sphere of authority is progressive. But, just when you think your leadership is prospering and you are satisfied that your country, your corporation, your ministry, your department, your family or your life is secure, you are faced with a threat. What do you do when someone or something tries to invade your space and wrest authority  away from you?

 Some of us may panic and rush around trying to defend our position by appealing to others in league with us. Others may be petrified with fear. Still others may get angry and agressively attack the threat and everybody else who so much as smell a little threatening. No doubt, you would wish to adopt some strategy to retain control of your life and authority. You certainly would not willingly stand by and allow someone or something to oust you from your position and destroy your life. Taking the right actions when your authority is threatened could be challenging but I have discovered a strategy which I call The Hezekiah Approach that would ensure that you lead successfully and remain triumphant in the face of any threat.

2 Chronicles 32:1-22 outlines the steps in the approach that I am advancing as a foolproof strategy for leading successfully and dealing with threats.

1. The first step is for you to be aware that threats are a part of life. Whether they come in the form of people, a disease or a new system, there will always be challenges that invade your space and seek to end your control.
2. Acknowledge the threat. Don't ignore challenges to your authority. You need to develop keen awareness of what is going on around you so that when a threat appears you will see it. 
3. Consult with your human capital and present obstacles that would make the task of who or what is threatening you difficult. Do not let people use your resources to get the better of you. You have to examine your situation and start "blocking off the water" (vs 3 NIV). 
4. Strengthen your position by tightening any loopholes that would allow the threat to advance. If a disease is threatening your control, adopt a life-style that would halt or hinder its progress. You also need to create systems that would serve as a defense against human threat. This may mean developing new skills or sharpening the skills you already possess. Whatever you do, ensure that you put yourself in a stronger position of authority than when the threat first apppeared.
5. Delegate responsibilities. As a leader, you should be aware that you cannot be everywhere and do everything so you have to distribute your leadership by allowing others to take charge as well.
6. Communicate with those you lead and inspire them with confidence. This is a very important step in the Hezekiah approach to leading under threat. In fact, it is the zenith of the approach. Hezekiah was confident of his security. He was certain he would defeat  Sennacherib, not because of the systems he had put in place, but because of his assurance that "there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles" ( vss 7-8). As a Christian, you should have and express the confidence that your God is able to fight your battles and lead you to victory. Don't worry about individuals who are scheming to get you out of your position. They might have done it to others before and gotten away with it. They might have more experience and greater resources than you have but don't worry. They are already defeated. Believe it, express it and watch it come to pass. 
7. Finally, pray fervently and get others to pray with you. Verses 20-22  provide the resolution of this threatening situation which King Hezekiah faced. He and the prophet Isaiah cried out in prayer to heaven ... and the Lord sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king ... so the Lord saved Hezekiah"  

If you believe, the Lord will destroy any threat that you are faced with but you have a part to play. The approach taken by Hezekiah when Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah is a framework for successful leadership, especially in the face of a threat. Try it. Like Hezekiah, your leadership will be secure and others will regard you highly as a result.