I was recently asked, 'What must I do in order to become a leader?' That is not a bad question. In fact Paul himself said in 1 Tim 3, that to desire to be a leader is a good thing. But it comes with, qualities, conditions and warnings. Essentially, Paul warns us that our own life needs to be in order, in order to lead others. If you can't lead yourself, it is questionable that you will be able to effectively lead others. If we do a study of the failure of leadership, this is one of the most common realities. I realize that Paul was essentially writing about leadership in the church, however, I believe the same essential qualities are in play regardless of place of leadership, or gender. My answer to this question of 'what must I do' is always the same. "Let's start with how you are leading right now, where you are". One of the key figures that comes to mind for me as I thinking about 'leading where you are' is Caleb.
Read Numbers 13
A Leader is revealed before promotion. We don’t know a lot about Caleb’s early life, other than as a young man he was already a leader in his own tribe. We can be pretty certain that the reason Moses selected him for this significant leadership task was because Caleb was already demonstrating the essential behaviours of Leadership: character, capacity and competence. So often we expect that we will become leaders when we are promoted or are successful in that job interview rather than demonstrating leadership in our present and smaller areas of influence. We forget that we are being watched and experienced by others right now – that those around us are forming opinions and insights into our potential leadership acumen.
One of the most challenging barriers for a new leader is when they are promoted from within. You don’t get to create your history or your persona, it’s already established. Your previous words, actions and attitudes will either haunt or serve you. Those who were once your comrade in arms ‘against the man’ may now be your nemeses, as now, ‘you is the man’. How often have you said, or had said of you “they’ve changed – they used to be ‘one of us’ now they’re ‘one of them’, they’re singing a different tune now”. The gap that has to be spanned between follower and leader can be a treacherous chasm with sharp rocks at the bottom which one can be impaled. The key to traversing the divide is ensuring that you have established a strong anchor on the follower side that can be used to pull the gap closed when anchoring in on the leadership side.
Leaders are consistent in all areas of life. It is clear that Caleb had already demonstrated character, integrity and vision in all area of his life. He was known to be someone of wisdom, someone who could be counted on when the chips were down– he had established a quality of constancy. Anyone dealing with him knew exactly what to expect and no one was surprised. Constancy is an essential component of successful Leadership - that regardless of the situation or person, you are the same to all. However, that is a more thorny challenge than it first seems. All I have to do is consider my own experience. Am I the same, do I give the same attention to someone who is important and has power over me – or possesses something I need (or can use) as the person who has no substantial impact on me? Watch yourself the next time someone of power or influence walks into the room – do you change, do you angle and position – how do you listen – how do you want to appear? Now do the same when someone who perhaps annoys you, or is ‘down on the food chain’, seeks your attention. Any inconsistencies? I thought so. For a an effective leader, the food chain idea does not exist. All persons are significant, have insight and impact. It does not take the people we lead or work with very long to interpret how we view them.
Leaders know how to be honouring and empowering followers. A recurring theme of great biblical leaders is that they knew how to be willing followers. Caleb knew how to follow the lead of another. He trusted those who led him – even if it meant going against terrible odds. He was able keep his eye on what was important when viewing the land of Canaan and through 40 years of potential discouragement. Caleb led by the example of ‘followership’. At first it was Moses - and we will discuss in moments the impact of a leadership change. So much is written and promoted about leadership (which is needed), but just as much needs to be written about how to be a great follower. There is a fluid relationship between a person’s ability to be a leader and a follower – they are not contradictory positions, but part of the same role. We will look at this theme in a later conversation. But just consider, for now, how many book titles out there promote ‘how to be a great leader’, and how many promote ‘how to be a great follower’!
A Leader Retains a clear vision of the mission. As with Joseph, Caleb faced significant opposition and set backs. He and the other leaders were given a clear mandate to discover, explore and create a plan of attack. Unfortunately, the majority of the other leaders lost heart because of the ‘impossible’ nature of the details. Caleb, realizing that he had a choice - capitulate to the other leaders or stand out and share a different, unpopular vision - making himself a target. Regrettably, the other leaders were able to influence the people and cause them to lose heart which resulted in 40 years of wilderness wandering – 40 years that were difficult and filled with numerous opportunities to cause them to give up. Num 14 – The people hated and resented him, and even tried to kill him. Even with the set back (although Caleb had been right), he needed to rise to the occasion of leadership and continue to lead a rebellious people through a journey that could have been avoided if they had only listened to him. And that same principle applies to us today: retaining the vision and mission through significant and protracted set backs is the true measure of a successful leader. Unfortunately, it is a times like these, when adversity, challenges and set backs occur that many would be and seemly high profile leaders crash and burn. Consider that it took forty years to get the purpose and vision back on track! For Caleb, this meant that most of his best years were ‘wasted’ in the desert – or were they?
Leaders are not afraid when other’s shine. Most times when we think of the story of the 12 spies and the promised land we think of Joshua, not Caleb. However, it was Caleb who was first seen as the top tier leader. And then for the Canaan trip and most of the wilderness wandering years, Moses led, followed by Caleb. But then a shift occurs and Joshua begins to be listed first and then Caleb, who finds himself following a very talented and younger Joshua. When it comes time for Moses to pass on leadership, it is Joshua who is called up. We see however, that Caleb, without hesitation comes alongside and supports Joshua in a significant way. Caleb probably had much to do with the mentoring and preparing of the one who would ‘out shine’ him, and did not for a moment miss his step. Caleb could have easily undercut Joshua. He could have been resentful and held a grudge. He could have complained of being over-looked. The confidence and self awareness that it takes for a strong, capable leader to step aside and let another pass is a unique and rare skill. For Caleb it was the vision and purpose that took precedence over his own ambition. Caleb conquered his selfish ambitions. Caleb continued to be a valuable and indispensable leader, but was content to do this from the position of second fiddle.
Leonard Bernstein, the famous orchestra conductor, was once asked, "What is the most difficult instrument to play?" He replied, "Second fiddle. I can get plenty of first violinists, but to find one who plays second violin with as much enthusiasm, or second French horn or second flute, now that’s a problem. And yet if no one plays second, we have no harmony."
Caleb mastered the art of playing second fiddle enthusiastically – and as a result he brought a harmony and strength to the leadership team that would lead Israel forward, for many years, in victory.
Anyway, I was just thinking…
Prayer: Father, teach us to be faithful followers in our call as leaders. May we first follow you in all things and all areas of our lives. Teach us to play well the second fiddle so that we may bring a sweet harmony to the ears of those who follow.
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