Proverbs 29:12

The book of Proverbs gives us insights into so many different areas of life. The book gives us instruction on how to live our lives for God. Here is a proverb that gives us insight about leadership:

Proverbs 29:12 (NASB)

If a ruler pays attention to falsehood, All his ministers become wicked.

Proverbs 29:12 (ESV)

If a ruler listens to falsehood,

all his officials will be wicked.

Poor leadership contaminates the pool of leadership. If the leader at the top seeks truth, others seek truth. If the leader at the top shows humility the leaders at the bottom show humility. Character is contagious. So, too, is the lack of character. When the leader at the top is full of envy and a "me-first" attitude so too will the lieutenants under him/her. When the leader at the top gives in to falsehood then his/her ministers under will also listen to falsehood and the entire culture will become corrupt. Wickedness can start at any level of the organization or institution but it flows quicker and fuller "down hill." To correct issues within the organization you have to start at the top. You can flow character upward but it simply won't change the culture in the same way it does when the leader changes and establishes character.