Strength and Meekness in Leadership: Following Moses’ Example
“Now the man Moses was very humble, more so than anyone else on the face of the earth” (Numbers 12:3).
As we progress through our career, many of us take on growing responsibilities, sometimes running our own business and sometimes taking on a more senior role in the organization to which we belong. In either case, our role is expanded and developed, we have more influence over what happens, and people listen to us more readily. In short, we have more power. One of the most subtle changes we experience is the way that other people treat us. It can lead us to think, “Oh, yes! I do deserve this respect!” And so, we believe our own press — that we are important and should be listened to uncritically.
Moses: A Model of Humble Leadership
Moses held, perhaps, one of the most important leadership roles in history: He was responsible for engaging the Hebrew slaves, leading them out of slavery against an incredibly powerful nation, and then shaping them as a people through 40 years of wandering through the desert. Despite this important role, Numbers notes that Moses was not arrogant or harsh; instead, he was recognized as the humblest of all men. He knew God intimately; he met with him face to face in the tent of meeting as well as on the mountain. He knew his own value and God’s view of him.
Like Moses, we can meet the Lord. For Moses, it was at the tent of Meeting; for us, it is in adoration. In both cases, we meet God and bask in His glory. Also like Moses, we can then reflect what we see and experience. When he descended the mountain, Moses had to cover his face, because it was shining so brightly. I know that when I go to adoration, I leave much more at peace, rested, and relaxed; maybe that feeling also shows in my demeanour and on my face.
Combining Strength and Meekness
What does the face I show the world say about the Lord and who He is? How can I integrate all parts of my life into my moments of leadership? When I am in charge and need to direct, I can do so with compassion and gentleness. Again, Moses provides us with a good example. None of us has the responsibility and power of someone who led an entire nation out of slavery, for 40 years across the desert, putting up with their moaning and recalcitrance with only a couple of slip-ups. But, we can learn from someone who did.
Moses was able to maintain a firm line and showed his anger as necessary — for example, when the Israelites built a golden calf to worship while Moses was spending time with the Lord on the mount. Moses actually broke the tablets of the 10 commandments that God Himself had inscribed. Still, he is described as the most humble man on the face of the earth.
How did Moses combine leadership — being a figurehead and physically leading his people through hardship — with humility? How did he retain gentleness and kindness in the face of adversity over such a long period of time?
As I ponder on this question, I think that there are two keys we can all rely on. The first is to allow ourselves to be led by the Lord. He wants the best for every person, so we can offer Him our dilemmas and difficulties in prayer. He will support us, infusing His wisdom and love into our decisions.
Secondly, we need to guard our integrity and act in a way that builds up the people around us and the institutions we serve. How can I make true humility, kindness, and gentleness to be the marks of my leadership? Am I ready to answer questions about how Jesus is the source of hope in my life? Do I trust the Lord in all things? If so, I can be both meek and strong — a paradox consistent with our lives in the Lord.
Rebecca Page-Tickell is an academic, HR practitioner and business psychologist. She has worked for many years across a variety of organizations, including consultancy and blue chip organizations. She has now settled into academia and loves the positive intent of the academic world as well as the opportunity to always be learning. Rebecca is halfway through her Ph.D. in higher education and is enormously grateful for the patience of her deacon husband and four grown-up children. She enjoys family time and loves being part of her local parish.