One of the lessons I learnt fairly early on as a leader was that in order to be effective in leadership its important that I spent my time focusing on the tasks that I was most suited and skilled to do. Whilst it was a lesson I ‘learnt’ it wasn’t a lesson I found easy to put into practise.

While reading through the Exodus journey I took heart when I realised that Moses struggled with the same thing. When his father in law (Jethro) came to see him in the wilderness he witnessed Moses sitting from morning until night being a judge for the people. When Jethro viewed this he spoke to Moses.

……“What you are doing is not good. You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you.

This is one of the big truths of leadership – its way too heavy to do it on our own. I love that Jethro was able to recognise this for Moses. Jethro continues……

You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave.

He reminds Moses about the things he should be focusing on. This is such a helpful process when we are leading – what should we be doing? What are the things we are uniquely meant to be focusing on? Once these are identified its easier to work out what to release. Jethro continues again…..

But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain —and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” Exodus 18:17-23

Good work Jethro, and so to summarise;

• Don’t try to do it on your own
• Identity what you are called to do
• Release others to do what you aren’t called to do