Serving leaders surrender their business* or organization and see their role as stewards. They shape the organization by focusing on the value they bring to the world, by developing people and creating a culture of excellence. They also serve the organization by taking time to work on the business. Many leaders spend nearly all of their time working in the business, doing the daily tasks that need to be done. But serving leaders find ways to step back and focus on strategic planning, building leaders and long-term development of the business.  They consider scriptures like these:

“Where there is no revelation [KJV “vision”] people cast off restraint (Proverbs 29:18a, NIV).

²⁸ “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? ²⁹ For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, ³⁰ saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish’ (Luke 14:28-30).

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty (Proverbs 21:5).

¹⁷ Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. ¹⁸ 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. ²¹ 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. ²³ 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, 18, 21, 23, NIV).

Serving leaders serve the organization by clarifying direction.

Effective organizations have clarity on vision, mission and values. Without clarity on vision people will “cast off restraint” or live carelessly. Leaders who spend all their time in the daily tasks that need to be done fail to provide the direction the organization needs to thrive. Serving leaders take time to work on the organization by clarifying vision, mission and values. They often spend time reminding people of these core elements that bring meaning and purpose to the daily tasks. This clarity results in purpose and meaning in the work and increases the engagement of the hearts of people in what they are doing. Only leaders can clarify direction.

Serving leaders serve the organization by careful planning.

Some leaders are so busy doing the work that they don’t take time to plan for the work. They are too busy to “sit down and estimate the cost.” But serving leaders recognize that part of their role as a leader is to ensure that plans are properly made and carried out. They look down the road and anticipate future challenges and make plans to prepare the organization for long-term success. Only leaders can ensure that adequate planning takes place in an organization.

Serving leaders serve the organization by creating leaders.

Moses was a classic leader trying to do all the work himself when his father-in-law gave him great leadership advice to develop leaders from the people. Some leaders focus on getting the work done through people. But serving leaders focus on developing the people that they have. They understand that they will never have too many leaders in the organization and that only leaders can ensure that the organization is producing leaders.

Remember, it’s not your business! Serving leaders serve the organization by working on it.

For further reflection and discussion:

• How clear in my organization is our vision (why we exist)? Our mission (what we do that benefits the world)? Our values (How we relate to each other and those we serve)? What do I need to do to make these directional pillars an integral part of our daily work?
• Do I naturally focus on planning or execution? What does this indicate about who I need to work closely with on my team? Do we take enough time for strategic planning in our organization? If so, reach out to your team and thank them for their work in effective planning and point out how it benefits the organization. If not, when will I schedule time for this?
• How effectively do I focus on developing leaders in my organization? What is my plan to keep developing leaders? What steps can I take to create an organization that focuses on developing leaders?

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

*Note: In this series we use “business” to apply to any type of organization whether for profit or non-profit. The principles of this series apply to for-profit enterprises, non-profits (such as churches or NGO’s) and any other domain of work and service. 

If you would like a PDF of this series in one document, click here to download.

Beginning with the next issue we will update our branding for this newsletter. The content will remain the same but we will have a new look!”

All leaders delegate tasks to others in their quest to accomplish the vision, adding items to their “to do” lists.  But serving leaders stop the delegation process long enough to ask a different question of their followers: “What should you stop doing?” They learn from Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses.

¹³ The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. ¹⁴ When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?” (Exodus 18:13-14, NIV, read 13-27, below, for a fuller context.) Jethro was kindly asking Moses to think about what he was doing that he needed to stop. Moses was doing a great thing; he was serving the nation! He was busy from “morning to evening” doing what he thought his job description called him to do. Everyone around looked at him with admiration and respect as a great leader. But Jethro steps forward and asks some hard questions that quickly shape Moses’ leadership journey. Serving leaders do the same for those they lead.

Serving leaders ask “What should you stop doing?” to avoid burnout.

Jethro explains to Moses that if he would stop doing some of the things he was doing, he would be “able to stand the strain” (Exodus 18:23). Moses was working hard but would not be able to sustain the pace of his leadership. Jethro was concerned that Moses would not be able to sustain the pace at which he was working. Serving leaders want the best for those they lead. They see those who follow not as machines for continuous production but as individuals who are gifted but with very human limitations! Serving leaders don’t push people beyond healthy capacity. Instead, they learn to also ask those they lead, “What should you stop doing so that you will avoid burnout?”  

Serving leaders ask “What should you stop doing?“ to focus on strengths.

Jethro advises Moses that when he distributes the load, he will be able to focus on the difficult cases only. He would be able to use his strengths in the best way to serve the nation. Leaders who are busy from morning to evening are most likely not serving in the areas of their greatest strengths. Instead, they are doing lots of good things on their “to do” list but not focused on key things that only they can do. Serving leaders repeat Jethro’s question to those they lead to help them think critically about their greatest strengths. They ask, “What should you stop doing that is not your greatest strength?” Their question provokes thinking and perhaps even a change in job description that frees a person to serve in the areas for which they are best suited.  

Serving leaders ask “What should you stop doing?“ to develop others.

Jethro asked Moses why he was working alone “while all these people stand around.” He recognized that as long as Moses did all the work, the others would not be developed. They had gifts and abilities which were not being used. Jethro asks Moses to give up some work so that others could grow up! Serving leaders not only consider what things they should stop doing, but they turn to those who follow and ask them, “Who else could do what you are doing now? When will you stop doing that so that others will grow?”

They ask instead of telling because they want the person, they lead to think for themselves and grow in their own ability to lead themselves. They may also ask because, unlike Jethro, it may not be as clear what things on the to do list are causing burnout.

For further reflection and discussion:

Choose one of the highest achievers on your team to think about. Who is that person? Choose specific questions from the list below to prepare for your time with that person. Then meet with them and serve them by asking what you have on your list.

• What things are you doing which wear you out?
• What do you need to stop doing to have a healthy balance in your life?
• Is your present pace sustainable long term? If not, what do you need to stop doing?
• Of all you do for this organization, what do you do that best uses your strengths?
• Of the tasks you do on a regular basis, which ones are not in the areas of your greatest strength? How can you stop doing them?
• Which of your current tasks could be done by someone else? What is needed for you to pass that task on to them?
• What happens to those under you when you continue doing the same tasks over time? Are you allowing their potential to be realized?  

Until next time, yours on the journey,

Jon Byler

In the next issue, we’ll examine the next question serving leaders ask themselves: “What should I start doing?”

Here is the full story of Jethro’s advice to Moses.

¹³ The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. ¹⁴ When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”

¹⁵ Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. ¹⁶ Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”

¹⁷ Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. ¹⁸ 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. ¹⁹ Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. ²⁰ Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. ²¹ 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. ²² 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. ²³ If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

²⁴ Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. ²⁵ He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. ²⁶ They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.

²⁷ Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.  (Exodus 18: 13-27, NIV)

Leaders never quit, right? Wrong! Great leaders know when it’s time to persevere but they also know that there is a time to quit! Moses learned this lesson from his father-in-law. The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?" Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will. Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and laws." Moses' father-in-law replied, "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. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform. 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 (Exodus 18:13-21).

We often see this story as one that teaches about delegation and it is. But it is more than that. It is about Moses needing to make tradeoffs which every leader must make. It was time for Moses to quit doing some things he was doing! When is it time to quit?

It’s time to quit when the good keeps you from the best.

Moses was serving the people as a judge. That’s a good thing! But Jethro said, “What you are doing is not good!” This good act of service kept Moses from doing the best. Jethro reminded him that his calling was to represent the people to God. Only Moses could do this and it was the best thing he could do. To change from the good to the best, Moses needed to quit some things. He needed a tradeoff; quit the good to focus on the best. Servant leaders are willing to give up to go up. They are willing to quit the good to focus on the best.

It’s time to quit when you are doing work others should do.

Moses was doing a good job but Jethro reminds him that there are other “capable men” who could do what he was doing, especially judging the easier cases. Moses work was actually hindering the growth and development of these men! Moses needed to quit and allow them to learn to lead. Servant leaders are willing to quit what they do well for the sake of the growth of their team. They look for things that are not in their area of strength or gifting and pass them on to others. They also look at things they do well, but which others could also do well. They quit so others may begin!

It’s time to quit when you are sacrificing your health for the work.

Jethro saw that Moses’ was wearing himself out! He was working from early morning to late in the evenings. Some would have applauded his sacrifice, but Jethro tells Moses that it’s time to quit! Servant leaders know that it’s time to quit when they are sacrificing their health for the work.

Servant leaders reflect on Moses’ example. They look for things they are currently doing which are outside their gifting, strengths or calling and they quit! They look for good things which keep them from their best and they quit those things! And when they recognize their bodies are suffering from the work, they find something to quit! What do you need to quit so you can move forward in your leadership?

For further reflection and discussion:

• If Jethro was to watch me lead for a day, what might he tell me to quit?
• Are there good things that I am doing which keep me from the best? What are the things which only I can do on my team? What things do I need to quit to focus on these?
• What things am I doing which others on my team could do? What keeps me from empowering them?
• Are there ways that I am sacrificing my physical, mental or emotional health for my work? What do I need to quit to find a healthy balance?

Lights, camera, action! Picture Moses, his staff in hand, striking a dry rock and while the elders watch water gushes out. From there he moves to the battlefield where his extended hands won the victory over the Amalekites. These scenes make Moses look like a great leader getting the job done! But God is preparing him for a major leadership lesson. At the rock, others simply watch. On the battlefield Moses gets tired and realized that he needed the help of Aaron and Hur to win the battle. But it took a visit from Moses’ father-in-law Jethro to teach him that servant leaders learn to delegate. When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, "What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?…What you are doing is not good.” (Ex. 18:14, 17)

Jethro, with this rebuke, gives Moses a powerful leadership lesson. In spite of the great accomplishments Moses had achieved his leadership was not good because he was doing it alone. Moses was serving the people by attempting to meet their needs. That’s a great servant heart but poor leadership. Servant leaders recognize that the best way to serve others is to empower them to share in the work. Jethro taught Moses that servant leaders are not successful because of the work they do but the way they empower others to work through delegation. What can we learn about delegation from Jethro and Moses?

Delegation happens intentionally.

By default Moses was working hard like many leaders. People were crowding around him with their needs, and he was busy! Servant leaders make a conscious choice to stop doing the work and deliberately focus on delegating. It will never happen by accident.

Delegation lightens the load.

Moses was carrying a huge burden from morning until evening every day. Jethro advised him to share the load with others so that he would be able to stand the strain. (Ex. 18:23) Moses’ leadership would never have lasted for 40 years if he would have continued at the pace he was going. Servant leaders recognize that an integral part of leading is to set a pace that is sustainable and allow others to lighten the load.

Delegation empowers others.

As Moses called capable men to assist in the work, these leaders were able to develop their own potential. Nothing is more empowering to an emerging leader than when a seasoned leader looks them in the eye and says, “I believe you can do this!” Selfish leaders delegate to accomplish their own goals, but servant leaders delegate to empower and develop others. They delight in seeing others grow in their leadership capacity.

Delegation accomplishes the task.

Jethro wisely concluded that when Moses would delegate the work all these people will go home satisfied. (Ex. 18:23) Insecure leaders believe that no one else can do the job as well as they can so they refuse to delegate. Servant leaders recognize that when work is shared, the task will be completed. These leaders realize they are responsible to see that the work is done but not able to do it all alone.

To Moses’ credit, he listened to the wise counsel of Jethro and made immediate changes in his leadership style. Everyone benefited from his change and I expect that his wife and children were excited to see him home for supper that night for the first time in a long time!

The background reading for this issue is: Exodus 17:8-18:27

For further reflection and discussion:

• Do I have a “Jethro” in my life? Do I invite them to speak into my leadership practices?

Evaluate your leadership with the following questions:

• Am I guilty of trying to do all the work myself?
• Can I sustain my pace of leadership for the long term?
• Have I told anyone lately, “I believe you can do this”?
• Reflect on how Moses chose the men to lead. What qualifications did he consider?
• What is my plan to develop others around me? Am I consciously looking for things that others can do which will build them up and help accomplish the vision God has for our group?
• What steps can I take today to delegate?