The company you keep
Walking with the wise
Proverbs states a quiet law of formation: one who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. You become like the people you spend time with. The leader's closest companions are shaping him, for better or worse, whether he notices or not.
Paul put it bluntly: do not be deceived — evil company corrupts good character. We tend to overestimate our ability to keep bad influences at arm's length. Scripture says influence runs the other way: the company you keep is quietly making you into one of them.
“Don't be deceived! Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”
— Paul, to the Corinthians — 1 Corinthians 15:33 (WEB)
You become like those you walk with. Choose wise company, because the people closest to you shape the leader you become.
“One who walks with wise men grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Proverbs and Paul agree that companions form us, for better or worse. A leader formed here chooses his closest company deliberately, knowing it shapes him. He resists the illusion that he can resist bad influence indefinitely. The inner work is curating the company that is making you.
Choose your closest companions and advisers for wisdom, knowing they shape you. Surround yourself and your team with influences that make you wiser. Be honest that you become like those you walk with, not immune to them. Guard the inner circle, because it forms the leader you are becoming.
Leaders assume they can keep foolish or corrupt company without being shaped by it, overestimating their resistance. The blind spot is believing influence won't flow toward you when Scripture says it does.
Take stock of your closest company this week. Deliberately add more time with someone who makes you wiser, and reduce an influence that's shaping you the wrong way.
Leaders often assume they can keep company with foolish or corrupt influences without being affected — that they are strong enough to resist. Scripture says the influence flows the other way: you slowly become like those you walk with.
Who are you walking with most closely — and are they making you wiser, or quietly shaping you into something you don't want to become?