What Happens When We Value Competence Over Character?

This is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.

1 Timothy 3:1

In the book of 1 Timothy, Timothy receives some wise leadership counsel from his mentor, Paul. It is counsel we would do well to take seriously as well. Paul begins by telling him that leadership starts with desire. He then gives Timothy a list of qualifications for leadership. (1 Tim. 3:1-7) Interestingly, the list has more to do with character than with competence. Paul’s message: who you are matters more than what you know. His main concern for a leader is the heart, not the mind!

Today, many organizations are led by leaders hired primarily for their competence, not their character. The result is power, coercion, and manipulation. It is easy to misread Paul’s teaching about the desire to lead—that is where this unhealthy phenomenon comes from. The desire Paul describes is about serving others, not ourselves. It is easy to pursue money and power instead of serving people through relationships, care, and love. That is why Paul’s message is so important!

Relationship, care, and love require character. Money and power require competence. Competence can be developed. Character cannot. When we serve others, there is no need to manipulate in order to achieve the organizational goals we want.

Do you agree that organizations are being led by competence at the expense of character? What are the implications of that reality today?