Ever notice how some of the best leadership advice doesn’t come from self-help books or TED Talks, but from ancient wisdom that’s been around for centuries? Proverbs 31 is one of those chapters that people either love or completely overlook, mostly because it’s famous for its section on the “virtuous woman.” But before it even gets there, King Lemuel’s mother drops a piece of advice that every leader, past, present, or future, should probably have tattooed on their brain:

"Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings." (Proverbs 31:3)

At first glance, it might sound like a warning against relationships or temptation, but there’s a lot more happening here. This is about leadership, character, and knowing where to invest your energy. History is full of people (kings, CEOs, politicians, even regular folks) who had strength, influence, and potential, but lost it all because they didn’t guard it wisely. Why? And how does this proverb tie to it?