Here's a paper I wrote for my business leadership class. I just thought it would be a blessing to everyone.
DANIEL
The story of Daniel begins with the invasion and subsequent colonization of the Babylonian empire under the leadership of King Nebuchadnezzar. It is after this colonization that King Nebuchadnezzar commanded for some Hebrew young men to be indoctrinated into the Babylonian culture so that they may serve in the king’s courts. It is in this portion of the story that readers are introduced to the famous Daniel and his three Hebrew friends.
To those who have read and are familiar of the stories of Daniel and his three friends, it is highly unlikely that they will ever forget them. It is so easy to think that as children we would just sit and read or listen to someone tell us stories about Daniel. Who can forget his famous lock-in with the lions, or not marvel at the rendezvous into the fiery furnace of his friends Shedrach, Meshach, and Abednego? The book of Daniel in the Old Testament of the Bible is truly a remarkable book of religious conspiracy, uncompromising faith, and the unbelievable miracle of God’s deliverance. And to many, it is also a book of prophecy of things already fulfilled in our past and of things in the future. Yet from a business and leadership point of view, Daniel was more than just a prophet. He was a leader from whom we can glean many valuable lessons in leadership.
For one, Daniel was a creative problem-solver. When he and his friends were taken to be trained in the service of the king, the trainees were lavishly given luxurious food from the King’s menu. However, Daniel and his friends knew that these foods would defile them and their religious consciences. And so when they brought up the matter to their chief, they did not just decline the royal menu but also provided a creative solution to their problem. They offered to be placed on a vegetable diet for a trial period of ten days, upon which if they did not appear healthier and more energized, they would revert back to royal food. Of course, they appeared better than any other, and were granted their request. Thus we see that creativity is essential in the solving of dilemmas, especially when dealing with those in authority.
Daniel was a man who exercised calm and wisdom in times of crisis. This can be seen most in the part of the story where the king had a dream but could not understand it nor even recall it. He then conveniently calls upon his royal magicians and wise men, but none could do his bidding. In rage, he commands that all wise men in his kingdom be destroyed. When news of this death sentence reached Daniel, he remained calm and with wisdom requested of the king some time so that his seemingly impossible demand may be fulfilled. He then sought God earnestly for an answer and sure enough, it was given to him. Needless to say, he gave the king his dream and the interpretation, and the lives of many were spared. But of more importance was this, that the name of the true God was acknowledged and glorified by a heathen king.
In stories of successful businesses and leadership, we often hear that in order to penetrate into a new market, careful understanding and incorporation of the market’s culture is important to secure effective business. One can find this principle at work in Daniel’s case. He can be said as one who understood and engaged the new culture he was literally thrown into. From the beginning of the book, his diligent and hard work pays off as we see that God allowed him to find favor with the authorities. This is evident in the fact that he and his friends were found to be of higher standards and quality than all the others. Nevertheless, he did not compromise his own culture as he delves into the new. He was given the king’s menu, but he chose an alternative diet so as not to defile his body. He accepted the education of a foreign culture, but did not give in to their foreign religious doctrines. He served in the courts of a heathen king, but did not forsake his faith to his One and Only God. His trait of being able to engage the culture and yet not compromise his own finds him to be in the service of successive kings and kingdoms after King Nebuchadnezzar.
In conclusion, Daniel is a true example of leadership because he remained faithful to God and to the calling of God in his life. In other words, he exemplified leadership by first exercising personal leadership in his personal walk and relationship with God. He was faithful to God throughout his tenure with the heathen kings, so much so that each of them would, at some point, come to realize the superiority and sovereignty of Daniel’s God. That is, and should always be, one of the marks of true leadership, that God would be glorified.
I just wanna highlight my last paragraph as a reminder, first to myself (of course) and to all out there who are leaders whether in church, business, family, or in any leadership capacity, that true and effective leadership comes from personal leadership. I have personally come to this conclusion, that all great leaders have faith in God. Those who do not may find success in their endeavors, but their work is hardly blessed. Successful leaders are successful because God 's favor rests on them, and gaining favor from God begins with our personal lives. May we all find His favor in the worship and devotion of our lives to Him who deserves it!
