12 Practices Of Highly Foolish Leaders

Foolishness is a sin.  We all know foolish people and have all done foolish things ourselves.  Because we’ve all been there, we don’t want to be foolish leaders.

Today, my pastor Crawford Loritts identified from the book of Proverbs the 12 signs of a foolish person.  As I was listening to the list, I thought that it was something all leaders needed to be aware because it is so applicable to us.  Listed below are the attributes of foolish leaders as well as the chapter and verse in Proverbs where the reference can be found.

Foolish leaders:

1. Despise Wisdom and Instruction – [1:7]  You can’t tell foolish leaders anything.
2. Hate Knowledge – [1:22] Foolish leaders are not open to new information or additional content.
3. Don’t Make Sense – [8:5] Their thoughts and approach to life simply does not make sense.
4. Are Unstable – [10:8-10] Foolish leaders are unreliable and have plans and behaviors that are ever-changing.Â
5. Lack Self-Control – [12:16] Foolish leaders cannot control themselves, much less others.
6. Won’t Do The Necessary And Basic – [10:21]  Foolish leaders are characterized by impulse behavior.
7. Won’t Go Far In Life – [11:29] They are restricted by their senselessness.
8. Can’t Handle Prosperity – [1:32]  Foolish leaders waste opportunity.
9. Live For Trouble – [10:23] Some people are simply more comfortable in dysfunction.  Therefore, they create it.
10. Have Damaging Tongues – [10:18]  The words of foolish leaders destroy morale rather than build people up.
11. Are Blinded By Their Foolishness – [12:15]  Foolish leaders are self-serving.  They justify and do not accept responsibility for their actions.  As  long they are successful and happy, that should be all that counts.Â
12. Have Foolish Hearts – [12:23] Their foolish behavior becomes their nature.

Simple question – After reading that list, does this describe you as a leader?  My objective is not to make you feel guilty.  It’s not too late to turn it around and be successful.

Rather than being a foolish leader, here are four things you can begin practicing to become a discerning leader:

1. Ask God To Make You A Student Of Truth – Counterfeit experts reach that status by studying the real thing.  Then they are then able to recognize what the fakes look like.  Discerning leaders know the real thing (and the fake) when they see it.
2. Become A Student Of People – You understand people by studying their behavior, not just listening to their words.
3. Poor Judgement In The Past – Learn from your mistakes.  Don’t let it be said of you that “There ain’t no fool like an old fool.”
4. Active Control Of The Holy Spirit – A Christian believer honors truth.  Always pay attention to that check in heart.  When something doesn’t make sense, there is usually a reason why.

We’ve all done foolish things.  Are you learning from your mistakes?  I hope this list helps.

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