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Rehoboam & The Law of Connection
In 1 Kings 12, the power-hungry Rehoboam wanted to flex his political muscles more than he desired to connect with people. Rehoboam never learned the Law of Connection. If you want to connect with others, check your motives:
1. Get beyond yourself.
Dr. Albert Schweitzer–winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1952 for his philosophy of “Reverence for Life” expressed in the founding of a hospital in west central Africa–asserted, “Whatever you have received more than others—in health, in talents, in ability, in success…all this you must not take to yourself as a matter of course. In gratitude for good fortune, you must render some sacrifice of your own life for another life.”
Selfishness and insecurity usually lie at the heart of those who fail to get beyond themselves. Clearly, Rehoboam never got beyond himself. His bullying earned him contempt of the people. To connect with people, remain others-minded and remember that leadership is a privilege.
2. Grow beyond yourself.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems.”
Had Rehoboam gleaned from the experience of the elders, he would have discovered how little he knew about leading. He didn’t have a Mount Rushmore of Mentors (see my previous post). But this cocky and unteachable young man missed a great opportunity for growth—and so destroyed the nation.
If you want to grow beyond yourself, remain humble and teachable.
3. Give beyond yourself.
Individuals with low self-esteem almost always focus chiefly on themselves. Conversely, a study by the University of Michigan revealed that people who regularly volunteer their time heighten their zest for living and increase their life expectancy.
Rehoboam was not interested in what he could give; instead, he aimed to get the maximum. Out of This World Leaders must always ask, “What am I doing for others?”
4. Go beyond yourself.
A Middle Eastern saying puts it this way, “When you were born, you cried, and the world rejoiced… May you live your life so that when you die, the world will cry, and you will rejoice.”
Every great leader has the ability to connect. If you want to be a better leader, you must learn to connect with people. For some practical tips, check out my summary of John Maxwell’s Everyone Communicates, Few Connect.
Whether you have just taken over a leadership role or are well established, you must connect with people to succeed. Remember, the telltale sign of a great leader is not what he has accomplished on his own but what he has been able to accomplish through others. That happens only through connection!