I’ve read several leadership books over the years, and I’ve noticed how they often paint success in broad, shining strokes. They always seem to include bold vision, decisive action, and victories won. Scripture, however, tells a different story.

Leading After a Fall

The life of King David, Israel’s greatest king, is as much a story of failure as it is of triumph. His life reminds us that true leadership isn’t forged in constant success, but in the humility that grows from failure. In David, we see what it looks like to lead with a limp—to lead after having fallen.

And boy . . . did he ever fall!

David’s gross and horrific sin with helpless Bathsheba, his deceitful cover-up through Uriah’s murder, his bungled failure to manage conflict within his family—these were not minor missteps. They were catastrophic abuses of power and betrayals of trust. They tore families apart, certainly pitted people against one another, left a wake of human wreckage in his path, and they forever marred David’s reign.

We do David no favors by rushing to his repentance without first sitting in the gravity of his sinful failure. David didn’t just make mistakes; he violated people. He wielded the authority God had gracefully bestowed on him for selfish, personal gain, leaving a trail of suffering behind him.

No Excuses

Leaders . . . take note: We are responsible not only for our intentions, but for our impact. Title, position, and calling do not shield us from accountability. Hear me clearly: You are not above the rules! They still apply to you!!

When the prophet Nathan confronted David, he didn’t offer gentle correction—he told a story that exposed David’s injustice. And David, to his credit, owned it. He said simply, “I have sinned against the Lord” – 2 Samuel 12:13.

No excuses. No blame-shifting. No “but you don’t understand,” or “I’ve been so busy” defenses.

David’s brokenness led him to confession. Psalm 51—his prayer of repentance—offers a window into a heart that has been crushed by its own failures.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God,” he pleads, “and renew a right spirit within me” – Psalm 51:10

Repentance, however, didn’t erase the consequences. The damage was real, and David lived with its effects for the rest of his life. What repentance does is open the door to restoration. Not restoration of reputation—David’s story remains marked by his failures—but a restoration of his relationship with God.

Leading with a Limp

The essence of leading with a limp is a life that . . .

• Fully acknowledges our failures.
• A refusal to hide, minimize, or spin the truth.
• A silent and confident trust that God’s grace can rebuild what our sin has broken—beginning with our heart.

If you’re a leader who has stumbled—whether in private failures or public falls—David’s story holds hard, but hopeful lessons.

Own it Completely

First, own it completely. Name what you did. Don’t sanitize it or dress it up.

Have you seen public figures say things like, “Mistakes were made” if so, that is not repentance. Own your actions without qualification.

Repent Deeply

Second, repent deeply. Not just a surface level apology, and a weak-kneed “I’m sorry” because I got caught, but a soul-deep cry for God’s mercy.

Ask the Holy One of Israel to remake you from the inside out. Invite trusted voices to help you see the blind spots that led you astray in the first place.

Accept the Consequences

Third, accept the consequences. Sometimes leadership opportunities are lost. Sometimes trust is broken beyond easy repair.

Restoration is not the same as reinstatement. I’m troubled when I see leaders who’ve fallen quickly be reinstated within a few short months.

While I believe God can do anything, some things – like internal healing – simply need time. Be willing to let God work on His timetable, not yours.

Lead with a Limp

Fourth, lead with a limp. Don’t pretend it didn’t happen. Let your scarred story make you gentler, kinder, softer, wiser, and far more humble.

People don’t need perfect leaders; they need authentic ones who have walked the valley and found grace therein.

David’s legacy isn’t clean and untarnished, but it is redemptive. His Psalms still teach us to pray. His courage teaches us to trust. His failures teach us to come home to God when we’ve lost our way.

And so can yours.

Thanks for reading,

JC

P.S. Consider the following for going deeper

Journaling Prompts for Reflection:

1. What personal failure am I tempted to minimize or excuse instead of owning fully? C’mon, be like Adam and name that creature!
2. How have I experienced consequences for my failures—and what might God be teaching me through them?
3. In what ways have I tried to lead from a place of self-protection instead of authenticity?

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