The Power of Delegation in Leadership

“But how can I carry, all by myself, your troubles and burdens and quarrels?” (Deuteronomy 1:12, The Message)  

Moses asked a fundamental question in leadership. When you lead people, people are going to expect to help them with their troubles, burdens, and quarrels. Why? Because there will challenges as you lead people forward, and they will look up to you for answers. The problem is that in order to keep moving people forward in the direction God has called you to lead, you can’t deal with everyone’s troubles, burdens, and quarrels. You can’t move people forward effectively and still deal with their difficulties. You have to learn to delegate.

Moses learned that there was power in delegation. He knew that he had to focus on moving people forward to the Promised Land. His leadership responsibility was listening to God and moving people forward. He learned, however, (through his father-in-law Jethro) that there were capable people to whom he could delegate the task of handling these troubles, burdens, and quarrels.

“You’ll burn out, and the people right along with you. This is way too much for you—you can’t do this alone.” (Exodus 18:18, The Message)  

Therefore, he selected people who were wise and had influence over others to handle problems on a local level. This is why Moses selected leaders over 1000, 100, 50, 10 people. The more local the leader, the more influence one can exert.

“So I went ahead and took the top men of your tribes, wise and seasoned, and made them your leaders—leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, officials adequate for each of your tribes.” (Deuteronomy 1:15, The Message)  

He also selected “judges”, which were problem solvers. These leaders spent their time hearing people’s disputes and they settled them. Conflict resolution was their specialty.

“At the same time I gave orders to your judges: “Listen carefully to complaints and accusations between your fellow Israelites. Judge fairly between each person and his fellow or foreigner.” (Deuteronomy 1:16, The Message)  

The Bible gives a very simple principle here. In order to get things done which God calls you to do, you have to learn to delegate. Whether it is dealing with people or jobs, delegation is key to moving your family, tribe, organization, or church forward.

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