Leading when someone has a different Idea

 Read Numbers 32. 

Israel was encamped on the east side of the Jordan River, just north of the Dead Sea.  It was here that the LORD prepared them for entering the land of promise.  This was what they had all been waiting for.  But two and a half of the twelve tribal families wanted to remain on the east side.  With their great flocks and herds, the land along the river seemed ideal for them. 

Moses’ first reaction was anger.  He read this as a divisive threat to national unity and as turning back on God's plan for Israel.  The basis for his quick reaction was due to their father's failure to go forward into the land after the report of the spies in Chapters 13-14.  That sin resulted in the nation wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and the loss of an entire generation of people. 

His concerns were all legitimate.  As the leader, he felt the weight of responsibility to keep the nation together and moving forward.  As a man of God, he carried a passionate desire to do what God wanted to get done. 

To their credit, the tribes involved carefully explained their reasoning for the proposal.  Further they committed themselves to national unity and the conquest of the land on the west side of the Jordan.  Then, Moses made the agreement with them in the hearing of Joshua, Moses' successor, and Eleazar, the High Priest.  With the change in leadership this was crucial.  Later in the book of Joshua this agreement was forgotten and misunderstood almost to the point of civil war. 

Lessons for leaders:

1. Listen to your people.  Know what they are thinking.  Know their dreams, ideas, and aspirations.

2. Ask good questions.  Show respect for others by endeavoring to understand their views and why they would say those things.  It is hard for leaders not to be defensive of their own ideas and ways of doing things. 

3. Learn from the past but try not to react to changes based upon previous bad experiences.

4. Give people freedom to be themselves, to think and act.  Someone else may have a good idea that fits them better and serves others better than your expectation.

5. Set the guidelines or warnings by anticipating the "what ifs".

6. Be sure others are aware of the agreement.  This safeguards the organization in case the leadership changes.

7. When the answer needs to be "no" be sure that everyone understands that you are really saying "yes" to something better.

 

Lessons for those within the organization:

1. Don't stop thinking of better ideas or ways of doing things.  Good leaders are looking for better solutions in order to better serve others.

2. Be respectful of your leaders.  They carry the weight of the responsibility and accountability for all corporate decisions.

3. Be prepared for questions.  Asking for an explanation may feel like a challenge or even rejection.  But a good idea must have validity.

4. Anticipate misunderstanding or lack of acceptance.

5. Trust your leaders, even if things do not go your way.