1. Be willing to DELEGATE responsibilities. In Exodus 18:19—27, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro advises him to find “able men” and develop several tiers of leadership beneath himself to help himself judge over the numerous issues the people would bring forward. Up to this point, Moses had been the sole decision-maker and had judged all disputes for the entire nation of Israel. Jethro advised Moses this way because upon returning Moses’ family to him—Moses separated himself from his family to go free Israel from Egypt—he witnessed Moses standing “from morning until evening” in front of the people addressing their concerns. Jethro easily concluded this ought not be so.
Delegation is mutually beneficial for the leader and subordinate. By delegating, the leader frees him/herself to maintain the big picture and focus on moving his/her organization forward with the vision. It relieves the leader of having to resolve minor details that may unnecessarily divert his/her attention away from higher priorities. From the subordinate’s perspective, he/she gains a sense of necessity and worth—that he/she is contributing to accomplishing the mission.
2. Have a written VISION. Habakkuk 2:2 instructs to write out the vision and make it plain that any reader may run with it. A documented unambiguous vision helps the personnel maintain focus. Such a vision prevents questions among the subordinates as to why the work is necessary. A plain and straight-forward vision is one others easily can and will carry into the future.
3. PUT SERVICE BEFORE THEMSELVES. Esther was a
reluctant leader. Even being wed to the Persian king, she had rather stay in her place and not involve herself in kingdom affairs. But when her people, Israel, fell under imminent danger, her uncle, Mordecai admonished her to the duty she had to her people and that God may have put her in that place for a moment such as this one. She ultimately went before the king on the behalf of her people even at the risk of her death. Esther did not lose her life; she found favor with the king. We do know; however, of one leader who did lose His life to win redemption for His people, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Say AMEN to that.
4. Be DECISIVE. In Judges 7, Gideon leads a small band of 300 Israelite soldiers against a large force of combined armies themselves armed only with trumpets and jars. The Bible does not specifically state the size of the opposing force but does say the enemy encamped was as thick as locusts, and numbering their camels was like to numbering the grains of sand on the seashore. Yet Gideon ordered his grossly outnumbered army to surround the encampment and release a confident shout that frightened their enemy into fleeing frenzy. They subsequently blew their horns and broke their jars, and the enemy soldiers fled turned on themselves.
From God’s perspective, we all are leaders ordained to accomplish a specific purpose in the earth. As a leader you should champion that purpose and not allow yourself to be detoured. As you walk in it, God will bring others to follow you to also champion that purpose. When they come, consciously display these and other necessary leadership traits. Do that, and you will ensure that purpose is carried on indefinitely.
