The Magnificent Exitናሙና

Staying Close and Giving Space

In Exodus 18, a beautiful leadership scenario plays out between Jethro (older, wiser, more experienced) and Moses (younger, more naïve, less experienced). Moses has been in the thick of leading God’s people into freedom. Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, has been away from the main action, and yet when he re-enters the leadership space Moses is stewarding, Jethro is kind, caring, concerned, and available to listen. Under pressure, significantly stressed, and trying to process all that God has done, Moses pours out his heart to Jethro who listens and celebrates with Moses the significant victories already won. Evidently, the two men trust one another deeply and Jethro feels free to advise Moses on how to delegate for efficiency. He doesn’t try to do Moses’ job. He stays close, but he respects the boundaries attached to Moses’ role.

Perhaps you’re the ‘old leader’ in the scenario you’re navigating. How does that title make you feel – old leader? Perhaps a bit insecure? When I handed over the advertising agency I founded, I became the ‘old leader’. I get it. You’re feeling a mix of the joy of handing over, and the concern of a parent for the baby you’re passing on.

As you lean into this new reality and trust yourself to let go well, start by determining to stay close but out of the main action. For the first year or two of the transition, you will be needed. New leaders need consistent affirmation, both personally and publicly. Just as they seek to honor your legacy, so you’ll need to honor their efforts and character. Tell them you trust them and then tell them to go for it. But remind them to stay true to the vision. They need to hear that constantly.

I’ve witnessed what happens when an old leader steps back into the center of the action to make some ‘leadership’ decisions. Avoid this. It will throw your new leader into a confused tailspin no matter how level-headed they are. You see, once you handoff your authority, if you try to pick it up again, it’s no longer legitimate authority. You’ve given it away. If you try to remain in the center of the action, you have strong potential to create division. But if you focus on staying close and supportive, then your influence will increase, and you’ll be invited in regularly. In this invited capacity, your words will carry even more weight than before, because all hearts will be open to receive wisdom from you. As per Paul’s admonition in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, may there be great mutual respect and wholehearted love because of the work of old and new leaders in your organization, and may you live peacefully with each other.