Good Leaders Delegate Without Control

"A KEY TO SUCCESSFUL LEADERSHIP IS DELEGATION." Last Sun in Manila, I preached on The Words Moses Spoke (Deut 1:1-46) in my gradual attempt to grasp "the whole counsel of God" (Ac 20:27) by studying and preaching on books of the Bible that I am not familiar with. I was particularly impressed by Moses the leader who wisely delegated his leadership to other capable leaders (Deut 1:9-15). John Maxwell, the "leadership guru" expounds on this rule of delegation as a key to successful leaders both in the corporate world and in churches. In theory and principle all church leaders will agree that they delegate their leadership to younger leaders. But

"GOPHER DELEGATION" AND CONTROLLING LEADERS." There is a form of delegation that does not work. Stephen Covey, in his bestseller "The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People" calls it "gopher delegation." The leader tells his junior leaders "go fer this" and "go fer that." It is a delegation where the top leader is still in control by not delegating his authority and power. As a result, junior leaders are still expected to continue to defer to the leader for their approval and consent. Ajith Fernando, in his commentary on Deuteronomy, writes:

"we need to invest in people so that they understand the inside workings of our group. We have to open up ourselves and our dreams to others. Then we have to trust them to carry the ball and move forward. Unfortunately, the controlling type of micromanager may not have people available to take on such responsibilities. Often they have young and enthusiastic workers who are excited by the program and are willing to work under the controlling leader. But once they become mature and have visions of their own, they find the environment too restricting, and they leave. This is usually very painful because often controlling leaders have cared for their people sacrificially. So it is very painful to see them depart."

"GOOD LEADERS (LIKE MOSES) ARE HUMBLE BY WILLING TO SURRENDER THEIR AUTHORITY AND CONTROL." When two individuals were prophesying in their own camp "apart" from the group that met under Moses, Joshua says to Moses, "Stop them" (Num 11:28). But Moses showed that he did not have to have authority and control over them. He said, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord's people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!" (Num 11:29). Eight verses later, Num 12:3 says that Moses was "more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth." An expression of humility is to allow success by others that is not directly under the leader's authority and control.

"GOOD LEADERS GIVE NEW LEADERS THE FREEDOM TO DO THINGS THEIR WAY." Good leaders not only let go of their authority and control but they also let delegated leaders do things differently from the way that the leader once did. Because personalities differ, leadership styles and methods of doing things will also differ from leader to leader. Great leaders focus on the grand task and impart their vision to others. Then they allow these other leaders to implement the vision they imparted in the way that the other leaders think is best.

I found such leadership that humbly lets go of control and that trusts younger leaders refreshing and truly empowering. What is your experience with your leaders?