What Happens When We Lead Alone
(13) Moses sat as magistrate among the people while the people stood about Moses from morning until evening.
Good counsel helps leaders see their blind spots*
(14) But when Moses’ father-in-law saw how much he had to do for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing to the people? Why do you act alone, while all the people stand about you from morning until evening?”
Good counsel listens
(15) Moses replied to his father-in-law, “It is because the people come to me to inquire of God. (16) When they have a dispute, it comes before me, and I decide between one person and another, and I make known the laws and teachings of God.”
Good counsel cares for the leadership even amidst rebuke
(17) But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing you are doing is not right; (18) you will surely wear yourself out, and these people as well. For the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.
Jewish Institutional Leadership Guidelines:
Maintain a senior leadership role
(19) Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you! You represent the people before God: you bring the disputes before God,
But educate everyone
(20) and enjoin upon them the laws and the teachings, and make known to them the way they are to go and the practices they are to follow.
Seek out many other qualified, trustworthy leaders
(21) You shall also seek out from among all the people (who meet (all, or just some of?) the following criteria)
a. capable people who
b. fear God,
c. trustworthy
d. who spurn ill-gotten gain.
Create an empowered leadership structure to reach a lot of people with personalized attention:
Set these over them as chiefs of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, (22) and let them judge the people at all times.
Make sure the leaders knows their roles and responsibilities, including the limits:
Have them bring every major dispute to you, but let them decide every minor dispute themselves.
* italicized text = Rabbi Aaron's notes