What to Do When Those You Lead Argue and Complain

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Crossing of the red sea
Crossing of the red sea (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I’ve been reading through the book of Exodus again. When I look at all that Moses went through as a leader, it tends to make me feel a bit better about my own challenges.

This time as I read I paid close attention to every time the Israelites grumbled against or quarreled with Moses in the early days of their exodus from Egypt… and it was a lot!

But here is what is curious to me… each time they grumbled or quarreled with him, Moses went to God.

  • He didn’t argue with them.
  • He didn’t try to reason with them.
  • He didn’t try to explain himself or his decisions.
  • He didn’t try to make them happy.
  • He went to God. 

Moses got what I often forget – He knew that he was simply an instrument for God. Moses understood that he was leading these people for and with God.

I get this wrong all the time. I’ve never considered myself a people-pleaser and yet if I’m honest I feel a whole lot better about my leadership if people like me and like how I’m leading them.

Moses didn’t seem to care what people thought of his leadership. He was much more concerned about whether he was leading them as God had called him to lead them.

Moses’ motivation for leadership wasn’t centered on his personal need for achievement or approval. He was compelled by fulfilling the calling that God had given him.

What is your first response when those you lead argue or complain?

Who do you turn to first?

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