Insecure Leadership

Perry Noble posted a link on his blog to a writer that wrote about Insecure Leadership. Anna (the writer) talked about the affects an insecure leader has on the organization.

I've worked with several people whom I would define as insecure. The characteristics I find when people are insecure are:

They like to find fault with others (to hide their own weakness)
They talk loudly and seem to laugh at inopportune times
They try to spend time showing what they have done versus letting it be discovered
They never give the others credit
Many times they lie - to make themselves look good or to lay fault on someone else besides themself.

What I have found is their inability to find security in their position causes those under them to eventually give up and move on or causes great turmoil within the company. Sometimes it is only in that department; however, many times there is a trickle down effect realized in other areas of the company.

Does insecurity come from undue promotion, from being in the wrong position or from a need to shine?

I think it depends on the person. Someone promoted before they are ready could shine if mentored to lead and succeed in the position. A person in the wrong position must at some point realize they are in the wrong place and find a place (calling or vocation) that fits their gifts and talents. The person that just always has to shine must surround himself with capable people that can make them shine and keep them by not keeping the credit themselves, but by giving it away.

I think Daniel in Daniel 2 faced this. He had to not only interpret the Kings dream but also tell the King what the dream was. He asked other's to pray, gave the credit to God and was spared. He could have been insecure as the other prophets and lost his life. Because of his security in God his life was spared, he was promoted, given gifts and was able to promote his friends.