Sam Walton, founder of retail giants Wal-Mart and Sam's Club, once said, "Outstanding leaders go out of their way to boost the self-esteem of their personnel. If people believe in themselves, it's amazing what they can accomplish."

In the same vein, British Field Marshall Bernard Law Montgomery, who became well known during World War I, was quoted as saying, "My own definition of leadership is this: the capacity and the will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence."

The character which inspires confidence. This premise certainly can apply to any leader in any walk of life—kings, presidents, prime ministers, CEOs of companies, professors, high school teachers, pastors, ministry leaders and even parents. Leaders, as we know from James 3:1, are held to a higher standard: "My brothers, not many of you should become teachers, knowing that we shall receive the greater judgment."

As the old saying goes, "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

In other words, leadership isn't for everybody. King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden is a prime example.

Dr. Mark Rutland, head of the National Institute of Christian Leadership, recently told the incredible story of Vasa, a Swedish warship built between 1626 and 1628 at the Adolphus' order. Upon completion, Dr. Rutland explained, Sweden touted the ship as one of the most powerfully armed vessels in the world. The ship symbolized Adolphus' quest for his country—and himself—to become a major world military power in light of the nation's ongoing participation in the Thirty Years' War in Central Europe. The ship measured 226 feet in length and housed 64 guns—the most of any ship known to mankind at the time—and could house 300 soldiers and 145 sailors when put to sea.

In his blind ambition for power and prestige, Adolphus figuratively "mortgaged the farm," as they say, for Sweden. He set a specific date for Vasa's launch in 1628 and determined he would stick to the schedule. The project certainly proved costly as the country poured a great deal of resources into the vessel and hinged its hopes for global prestige on the ship's success.

Shortly prior to the launch date, the ship's engineer informed the king's subordinates—not the king himself—that the vessel was built top heavy and it required ballast to be added to the hull. Not wanting to upset the king—who apparently was a hard, shrewd man—his subordinates failed to communicate the message to Adolphus and they cut corners to ensure that the ship met his aggressive schedule.

Shortly after Vasa left the harbor in Stockholm—less than one nautical mile out—the ship sank, killing many of the crew and the Swedish dignitaries aboard who were celebrating its maiden voyage. You can read more about Vasa in Michael Abrashoff's book, It's Your Ship.

The point of the story? Lack of sincere and honest communication—both horizontally and vertically—can spell doom for anyone, whether it be a country, a corporation, a ministry or even a family. King Adolphus' lack of character resulted in a lack of confidence in his subordinates, and the country fell into financial ruin.

"The story of Vasa is an unmitigated disaster," Dr. Rutland explained. "If you don't have time to get it right the first time, then when will you have time to fix it later?

"It's a classic example of bad leadership. Sure, the king's people should have told him that the ship wasn't ready to sail. However, vertical leadership needs to create an atmosphere of genuine communication, one that says, 'I want to know the truth.' Obviously that didn't happen in this situation because of fear of reprisal for not obeying the king's orders. He didn't create an atmosphere that he was listening to anyone, so in reality, it was all on him."

John C. Maxwell once said, "Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them." King Adolphus doesn't strike me as having been that type of leader, but rather a bad example to follow.

Vertical and horizontal communication is only one of the principles Dr. Rutland teaches in the National Institute for Christian Leadership (NICL), a one-year program of intense leadership training he conducts four times a year at three different venues. It also teaches leaders how to deal with everyday situations, from the smallest concerns to crucial ministry needs. You can learn more at thenicl.com.

It could help you to avoid making the same mistakes King Adolphus made.  

Shawn A. Akers is the online managing editor of Ministry Today magazine.

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