Principles of Shared Leadership
Reading: Exodus 18:13-27
Bible principles are available for every area of life. This is true in the area of leadership. In this passage, we find a frustrated and tired leader. Moses was the God-chosen leader for orchestrating the mighty exodus of God’s people from the land of Egypt. He was God’s chosen man for leading those same people across the wilderness to the Land of Promise. On his shoulders rested the welfare of an entire nation. He was their leader!
Moses took his responsibility seriously. He was a man that did not shirk when given a task. However, like many leaders, he made some serious mistakes in the area of leadership. He jeopardized his own health, and limited the prosperity of the nation. Like many leaders who find themselves in high positions, he thought that all decisions must be made by him. He failed to realize that leadership is a shared responsibility. He seemed to forget that one man can’t do it all (vv. 17-18).
After Moses’ father-in-law gave him some much needed advice, Moses understood the principles of shared leadership. Upon implementing these new policies, Moses found the burden lighter and the nation found new possibilities. As Moses developed new leadership abilities in the people under his leadership, the nation was able to accomplish more than Moses by himself.
These principles can be equally applied in any leadership situation, of any time. What are these principles?
A Commitment to Standards (v.21)
First, leadership must have a commitment to standards (v.21). As one branch of the military boast, “We train to a standard.” These standards include being qualified (i.e., “able”), and godly (“such as fear God”).
A Sense of Responsibility (vv. 21-22)
Leadership must also possess a sense of responsibility (vv. 21-22). This is based upon their ability to complete the task (v.21). Moses had to realize that some leaders are capable of leading thousands, while the capability of other is focused on smaller groups. It is not a personal attack, but it is each one realizing the capacity that God is using them in. Their responsibility is also based upon the need (v.22). If there is a need, the real leader will shoulder the responsibility to meet that need.
A Willingness to Carry the Load (vv. 22-26)
We also find that this passage reminds us the leadership must be willing to carry their load (vv. 22-26). The wise leader will understand that leadership is a shared burden. With shared leadership, we find there is shared responsibilities. Therefore, the senior leader is not overwhelmed and distracted from his main responsibilities and duties. Neither is any one person overloaded and fatigued. With this shared load, there is also the blessing of shared success. Like a military operation, the credit for success does not go to on person but, rather, to the complete unit.
A Humble Submissiveness (v. 26)
Finally, it is also true that leadership must submit (v.26). In Moses’ situation, the appointed leaders were to operate in submission to the leadership of Moses (v.26). They did not appoint committees for the hard cases, but they yielded to the decision of Moses. While there may be a consensus of leadership, there must be a submission to the command of the leader.
