Once Rabbi Yitzchak Meir of Ger met with some of his
community leaders who criticized him in certain areas of his leadership.
The Rabbi retorted. “One of the portions in the Bible is
named after Jethro, the father in law of Moses, who offered advice to improve
the life of Moses and his leadership skills of the Israelites. Now, Jethro was
already offering his opinions to Moses even before the idea of delegating to
others came up. Moses was cautioned that he would certainly wear himself out at
the rate that he was going, and other things expressed to him by Jethro.
So why is acknowledgment associated only, with the piece of
advice related to the idea of delegating?
But as long as only the negative was being pointed out there
was no greatness in those words. Lots of people can criticize and point out
weakness and shortcomings in others.
The greatness in Jethro was that he also was able to offer
practical advice for improvement. “You
shall do …. To improve your lot”. And it
is for this reason, he was credited.”
“There was never another leader and a prophet like Moses .”
Moses is referred to “our, master. Our, teacher” The leadership and conduct of
Moses, is a lesson for us all, in all generations.
The position of leader isn’t just to share the information and
let it fall where it may. The position of leadership and teacher is one that
must intentionally extend to the furthest reaches, to the minutest of elements
and details under the authority and influence of a leader.
The conduct and character of the followers and students is
the responsibility of a teacher and a leader. The Mishnah says, “Sages must
always be careful with their words, because they may fall in bad pools and
students will drink from them.”
The leader carries accountability for how his/her words are
understood and sometimes misconstrued by troublesome students and may end up
hurting the public. A true leader doesn’t just revel in his position, but takes
the responsibility of molding the character and personality of his followers.
The Mishnah asks, “What is the difference between the
students of Abraham our forefather, and the students of the evil prophet
Bilaam?” The Mishnah could have very
well discussed the difference between these two biblical giants? Why focus on
their students?
Because, it is in the students, it is in those who are
influenced and attached to the leader we see the true skills and qualities of
the leader.
When the Israelites came out of Egypt and went through the
Red Sea, the tribe of Amalek came and attacked them. Although there was a cloud
miraculously protecting them, there were those who were spit out of those
clouds of glory, who Amalek was able to reach.
These were the weaklings. The ones who were spiritually
lacking. Nonetheless, Moses did not shirk his responsibility with excuses like,
“anyway it’s their fault, it’s only the lowest elements, a small percentage,
the dregs of society….”
The first thing Moses did, was summon his chief of staff
Joshua, and commanded him to gather the best soldiers available, and Moses
immediately started to fast and pray. Moses lifted his hands up to heaven to
save, even these sinners.
Whether you’re a father or a mother, a CEO, or just trying
to get a grip in your own life, you are a leader.
The Bible teaches us, we all have a little Moses within each
one of us. If you live like a leader, there is never an acceptable excuse to
ignore even what seems least significant in our lives. Down to the last element
under our control and influence, our goal must be, not to leave out anything at
all, from making it better.
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