The True Measure of a Leader

When Moses sent them to explore the Canaanite territory, he said to them, Head North to the Negev, and then continue North to the hill country. See what kind of land it is. Are the people who live there strong or weak, few or many? Is the inhabited area good or bad? Are the cities where they live open or fortified. Is the soil rich or week? Does [the land] have trees or not? Make a special effort to bring back some of the land's fruids. Numbers 13:17-19

The above quote takes place as Moses sends a small group of scouts North to gather intel. I would have thought that he should have them investigate the halls of government or the universities. Perhaps visit the Canaanite pentagon and listened to their version of CNN and Fox News.

Instead of having the men visit the leaders, he had them go out among the people, in the country and the forests, and in the village squares.

You see, its really the people who show what kind of leaders they have. The true measure of a leader is their ability to influence others, and the impact they have on those around them.

Developing Your Team

Great leaders have influence and use their position to accomplish as much as possible through the gifts of others.

In I Chronicles 18:14-17 we see that King David ruled wisely and did what was right for all his people. David understood that he was a steward of the human gifts and talents of his people. He gave appropriate responsibility and authority to people of proven commitment and ability.

Have you developed your team today?

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!