Leadership & the Inner Life

In his book Moral Vision, Marvin Olasky argues that sin, like poison in the river, pollutes and ravages downstream. Olasky’s book is a fantastic compilation of mini biographies—mostly detailing United States Presidents.

The basic premise of the book is that leadership is impacted by personal life—inner life.

We’ve all been there. We’re anxious about a problem at work, and our friends and family must then endure a grumpy, or dismissive, or distracted version of us.

But for Olasky, the most important factor in excellent leadership is personal character. Someone can’t continue in immorality or be driven by pleasure in their private life and expect to lead without it affecting their followers.

Cautionary Tales of Virtue and Vice

Early in the book, Olasky compares George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

Washington tried to lead and live honorably.

He was humbled by a lifetime of tragic experiences and disappointments and it shaped him for the better. In the end, he turned down the opportunity to be America’s king because he knew the dual human propensities toward lordship AND sin would become problematic one day. Instead, we have the presidency.

Jefferson, on the other hand, led a life of vices.

Best accounts suggest Jefferson was addicted to sex, wine, possessions, and most of all—fame.

Olasky argues that by the end of each of their presidencies, one leader had firmed up the country, while the other had left it more unstable.

Consider this additional example: Woodrow Wilson.

Wilson said, “Fidelity [that is in public view] matters more than fidelity in private. We can afford a few relationships of infidelity in private to maintain fidelity in public, which is more important.”

That president had no problem with a double life and believed the impact of his leadership would be unhindered—in fact, he saw his sins as an outlet—a release valve.

Olasky’s point is that poor character corrupts the whole of life. It can’t be compartmentalized or contained off to the side.

The Downstream Effect

I found myself listening to the argument and agreeing.

“Yes! Character matters. My leaders won’t be effective leaders if they’re weighed down or distracted by sin.”

But here’s the thing…

I’m fooling myself if I don’t also believe this about myself. I can accidentally become hypocritical in the way I receive this.

I can look past or justify my bucket of sins and perceive that my leadership is unaffected.

Have you ever been around someone who has been drinking the night before? You can smell it coming out of their pores. But they’re oblivious.

Or someone who’s chosen to stay up all night binge-ing a new show that just dropped? Their exhaustion affects every conversation and decision they have throughout the rest of the day.

We’re fooling ourselves if we think we can hide our sin.

And if we are in some sort of leadership, we’re flirting with irresponsibility if we think our sin won’t have a trickle effect on those who follow us.

John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

We might understand the fruit above as “evidence” or “the product” of our faith. For leaders, there’s also an added dynamic in which fruit represents the people under our care and stewardship.

Abiding is vital.

Let’s be sure that we are diligently pursuing a life that is anchored in Christ—not straying, not tempting ourselves or flirting with our desires.

Do not give sin an inch.

Keep your life an open book—nothing hidden.

Christians are people of confession, repentance, and forgiveness. Let these not be foreign.

The good news is that, in Christ, we have every assurance we need. Sin doesn’t define us. We have been declared holy—and now the Holy Spirit is working in overdrive to shape us into our new reality.

Stay tethered to the vine.