What Is Your Leadership Style?

Scripture(s): Exodus 18:17-22

Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you are doing is not good. "You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone. "Now listen to me: I will give you counsel, and God be with you. You be the people's representative before God, and you bring the disputes to God, then teach them the statutes and the laws, and make known to them the way in which they are to walk and the work they are to do.

"Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place {these} over them {as} leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. "Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge. So it will be easier for you, and they will bear {the burden} with you. "If you do this thing and God {so} commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people also will go to their place in peace."

Commentary:

Moses father-in-law counseled him about his leadership style. Moses was stretching himself way beyond what anyone could humanly handle on a day-to-day basis. He would work from sunset to sundown; fulfilling the needs of the people, that came to him with things that they could not resolve. Some of the matters were large, some of the matters were small. It didn't matter to Moses if he had to do this all day and all night. However, over time, Moses would wear himself out, and that's what his father-in-law told him. Obviously, Moses was tired from his leadership style, and he decided to listen to wise counsel.

Reflection: 
Taking on too much in leadership is an unnecessary burden upon oneself. God created us to need one another, and by acknowledging that we cannot do everything by ourselves; we acknowledge our need for each other. The gifts that God has given to us, can be used for the building up of the kingdom of God more effectively; when we understand our leadership style, as well as the leadership style of others.

When God puts us into positions of leadership,it is very important for us not to wear ourselves out. We must take into consideration what needs to be done, and pray that God gives us wisdom in delegating responsiblity to those that are capable, and God-fearing people.

Some of the tasks that God gives us are extremely large, and we will need help in implementing the plan that He has given to us. Let us always seek the council of God when we lead, so that the people that He has given us to lead, will receive what they need. Let us not be tricked by the enemy, into thinking that we're not doing enough, just because we're not exhausted.

Strong's Concordance Definitions:

Exodus 18:18
You will surely wear out, both yourself and these people who are with you, for the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.

you will surely wear: 5034
1) to be senseless, be foolish

a) (Qal) to be foolish
b) (Piel)
1) to regard or treat as foolish
2) to treat with contempt
2) to sink or drop down, languish, wither and fall, fade
a) (Qal)
1) to sink or drop down
2) to fall, wither and fall, fade
3) to droop

out both: 1571
1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea
a) also, moreover (giving emphasis)
b) neither, neither...nor (with negative)
c) even (for stress)
d) indeed, yea (introducing climax)
e) also (of correspondence or retribution)
f) but, yet, though (adversative)
g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case)
2) (TWOT) again, alike

are with you, for the task: 1697
1 speech, word, speaking, thing

a) speech
b) saying, utterance
c) word, words
d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

heavy:3515
1) heavy, great

a) heavy
b) massive, abundant, numerous
c) heavy, dull
d) hard, difficult, burdensome
e) very oppressive, numerous, rich

for you, you cannot do: 3201
1) to prevail, overcome, endure, have power, be able

a) (Qal)
1) to be able, be able to gain or accomplish, be able to endure, be able to reach
2) to prevail, prevail over or against, overcome, be victor
3) to have ability, have strength

it alone: 905
1) alone, by itself, besides, a part, separation, being alone

a) separation, alone, by itself
1) only (adv)
2) apart from, besides (prep)
b) part
c) parts (eg limbs, shoots), bars

References:
Blue Letter Bible. "Book of Exodus 18 - (NASB - New American Standard Bible)." Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2010. 27 Jan 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Exd&c=18&t=NASB

Higgins, S. (2010). What Is Your Leadership Style? Devotions For Thought. Http://www.devotionsforthought.blogspot.com, Http://www.higginspublishing.com