Leadership and Listening

Moses is recognized as one of the greatest leaders of all time and he demonstrated the important skill of listening. Early on in his leadership of Israel he assumed responsibility to judge all the people (Exodus 18:13). His father-in-law, Jethro, observed this exhausting and inefficient process, and shared some very wise counsel with Moses.

First he told Moses, “You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him.” (Ex 18:19b). Prayer was the first priority. Second, he told Moses to, “Teach them the decrees and laws, and show them the way to live and the duties they are to perform.” (Ex 18:20). Teaching was the second priority. It would benefit all of Israel, prepare leaders, and eliminate some of the counseling and mediation. Third, he told Moses, “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…” (Ex 18:21-22a). Wise delegation was the third priority. Fourth, he told Moses, “have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves.” (Ex 18:22c). Moses’ oversight and measured involvement was the fourth priority.

The anticipated result comes next, “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.” (Ex 18:22d-23). This was sound advice and, “Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.” (Ex 18:24).

Effective listening requires humility, patience, discernment, and a willingness to change. “Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.” (Numbers 12:3). A humble person knows others may have a better idea and are willing to listen.

Patience is also necessary to the skill of effective listening. Sometimes you have more knowledge on the subject than the adviser, or you have already carefully considered the idea they are suggesting. So, you bite your tongue and listen because it is important to the adviser to share their thoughts and he or she might surprise you with a great idea. It’s like mining for gold - you have to sort through a certain amount of information to discover the really helpful ideas.

Discernment is critical. When you are listening you have to sort out what is valuable. Receive advice without making promises so you can take time to determine if it is helpful. The freedom to disregard advice is as important as the willingness to act on advice. Seek out advisers you think can help and don’t just rely on those who come to you of their own accord. Pray over the advice you receive to clarify what God is saying.

A willingness to change is the final ingredient in effective listening. The methods we employ should be fluid. At the beginning Moses’ method of judging the people may have been the only way to get the job done. However, over time he would have burned out, potential leaders would have been deprived of opportunity, and the needs of the people would not have been met. Moses would have missed a vital step forward, if he had not listened to Jethro.

As one of my teachers used to say, “Be a good listener”.