Jethro’s Management Principles (Part 1)

Text: Exodus 18:13-27

INTRODUCTION:

Moses father-in-law came for a visit and as any astute successful man, he has a sharp eye and observed Moses his son-in-law at work.

- His interest is more than a passing one where one man watches another at work and tries to compare his son-in-law with his own work ethics or style.
- His interest is also more than a personal one though he wanted a successful SIL for his daughter and grandchildren. This will guarantee their future.
- His interest is really in God’s interest as he was a humble, experienced and wise man and God wanted to use him to help his servant Moses.

This is a case where a good father-in-law offered counsel and not criticism.
- He offered his experience and not just cash to help solve problems.
- He offered to teach rather than spoon-feeding.
- His solution was well-thought out and workable.

I can compare Moses’ management to that of any well-meaning pastor and leaders trying their best in an area of work which they are not familiar with.

Let me share the five management principles applied by Jethro in the passage. There were observation, investigation, analysis, consultation and execution.

1. OBSERVATION (VV 13 – 14a)

And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening.14 So when Moses' father-in-law saw all that he did for the people,

Moses saw and over many days.
He is the first customer surveyor. All eyes and ears (a reference to our senses).

Careful observation reveals facts and evidences that can be used to make recommendations to solve problems or challenges.

What he saw! People stood in line. Morning to afternoon.

Apply:
Today’s organization is reactive to problems and situations. It’s a knee jerk reaction. The have no time to observe and apply wisdom. Many are fire fighting the symptoms rather than curing the cause. Observation gives understanding to the “cause and the effect”. It will bring us to the source of the symptoms thereafter yielding action steps to solve the problems.

2. INVESTIGATION (VV 14b – 16)

he said, "What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?"
15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God.16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws."

Interview, questioning, interrogation.

A. Jethro’s Questions:

"What is this thing that you are doing for the people?
Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?"

B. Moses’ Answers:

"Because the people come to me to inquire of God.
When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws."

C. The First Question was answered by Moses:
There were legitimate and real needs. Moses was doing it within the scope of his responsibilities. They were biblical and valid.

D. The Second Question was not answered by Moses:
Morning till evening. Long Lines and “alone” doing it.
The problems laid in the Delivery of justice not the justice itself. The Process and Strategy was not up to mark. It was also wrong in its methodology and in execution.

Apply:
It was too much business for Moses to undertake alone, it would harm his health and bring fatigue to him. Worse, it would make the administration of justice tiresome to the people.

Wisdom is, we must not do less than our capability and responsibility or over-work ourselves so much that we went beyond our strength.

- continued in Part B -