The Law of Intuition Part 3
Jethro, the Reading Leader
Let’s consider how Jethro handled Moses’ situation. Like all intuitive leaders, Jethro read:
- Situations
An intuitive leader can quickly size up a situation. Jethro watched Moses in action for day and immediately reacted. Jethro didn’t have to hire a consultant, form a committee, or do extensive research. He instantly saw a leadership problem. All leaders may not settle on a solution as quickly as Jethro did, but when they rely on their intuition, they rapidly sense that a situation needs their attention.
- Trends
An intuitively leader sees what’s happening in the present and understands where an organization is headed. Jethro could see Moses heading for trouble. He told his son-in-law , “Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself” (Ex. 18:18).
Maybe Moses settled disputes effectively; maybe not. But even if he were able to get by with doing everything, he could never sustain it. As the population grew, his situation would worsen. Jethro knew that disaster lay ahead if Moses didn’t change.
- Resources
Intuitive leaders know how to resource their vision. They don’t take anything for granted, and they maximize whatever is at hand to achieve their goals. Jethro identified Israel’s greatest assets: Moses’ heart, God’s favor, and the people. He directed Moses to seek God’s counsel, to teach the People God’s laws, and to empower the people to share the burden. Jethro’s plan utilized everything of value the people possessed.
- People
Skill with people is perhaps the greatest ability of an intuitive leader. Some can understand what it takes to lead; others can actually do it. Jethro understand people and leadership well enough to know how to empower Moses’ leadership, even though he had no personal experience with those who had just escaped Egypt. Jethro knew leadership had to be based on ability, not position, and he instinctively understood that the right people were present to lead thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. They just had to be put into place.
- Himself
An intuitive leader reads himself. He understands his strengths, his weaknesses, and his individual calling. Jethro not only read and understood Moses’ leadership problem; he realized he was not the man for the job. So he read and evaluated Moses’ leadership ability and planned accordingly.
Look at any leader with sharp intuition, and you will see an ability to read a leadership situation. When Nehemiah looked at the wall in Jerusalem, he knew what to do. When Joseph understood Pharaoh’s dream, he knew how to prepare for the famine. Intuition, weather natural or developed intentionally, helps a good leader to become a great leader.
Join me next time for The Law of Intuition Part 4
