Don't Lead Like Pharoh!

In the Book of Exodus, why does Pharoh always get such a bad rap? After all, through his leadership cities were built (Exod. 1:11) and great building programs started. Even today we can travel to Egypt as tourists and be amazed by the accomplishments of ancient builders (though it wasn't so amazing for the slaves).

The story begins "There arose a new Pharoh who did not know Joseph. And he said to his people...come let us deal cleverly with them". While Pharoh made many mistakes, his first mistake is probably the most instructive for us here today - Instead of being appreciative, he chose to ignore the past and instead of leading for the common good, he acted for his own selfish interests. Pharoh was afraid of losing his own position and authority and he didn't remember that superb logistician (and Wagonmaster, see Gen. 45:21) Joseph, who just a few years earlier saved all of Egypt from starvation.

All that Pharoh did - lying, promoting fear, ethnic hatred, enslaving a minority and committing mass murder; it all started from a lack of appreciation and from leading selfishly. And the consequences for Pharoh and his people were disastrous. Plagues, famine, war and eventually the destruction of his army.

The night before leaving Egypt, when it was time to cast off the bonds of their enslavement, the people offered sacrifices, ate together and celebrated. That was a very different beginning. They started out by appreciating each other and working together for the common good. Appreciation and acting for the sake of the common good is the beginning of great leadership.

As a leader, can you pause and find something to appreciate and be thankful for, even in the most trying of circumstances? Try it and see what happens!