D'varim- Models of Leadership

Yehoshua bin Nun haomeid l’fanecha hu yavo shamah oto chazak ki hu yanchilenah et Yisrael.

Joshua bin Nun, who stands before you, he will go there; strengthen him because he will cause Israel to inherit.

In the book of D’varim, Moshe recounts the history of Israel’s wanderings.  The tale begins with Israel, having just left Egypt, standing at Mount Horeb, ready to, in God’s eyes, enter the Land, and the rebellion of the people leading to the forty years of wandering, which are finally coming to an end.  Additionally, Moshe recounts the decision to appoint Joshua the heir apparent to Moshe.

Joshua’s faith and steadfastness never waiver in our text.  However, from Moshe’s words, it is clear that to be strong and steadfast a leader needs support.  Originally, God said to Moshe, “oto chazak…” strengthen him.  In his training of Joshua, Moshe must help Joshua to be strong.  He has the faith, but, as Moshe knows, even with God on your side, faith can be tested.  Throughout Joshua’s apprenticeship, it is Moshe’s job to build up and toughen Joshua.  Now, as Moshe prepares to pass on the mantle of leadership, he shares this job with the people.  Moshe himself has been worn down by the Israelites.  How many times has he cried out to God about their rebelliousness even as he defended and protected them? 

Leadership does not occur in a vacuum.  There are said to be three types of leadership styles: charismatic, consensual, and self-differentiated.  Charismatic leaders can bring along a community, but the base beneath him/her is lacking.  Without the leader before them, the community has no direction.  Consensual leaders bow to the majority, even when it differs from the communal mission, changing the path for all.  A self-differentiated leader must stand by his/her convictions.  S/he balances the needs of the community with the desires of the majority, drawing the people along the path of the communal vision.

Moshe begins as a charismatic leader.  He is able to lead a slave community to freedom, but he cannot change them.  During the years of wandering Moshe’s style changes, drawing others into his leadership circle, each with their own opinions, while still keeping them on the path set forth for the community.  Joshua continues in this style, leading the Israelites along the path, but only as long as the community provides the strong base. 

A congregational community is similar.  The leaders of the community set the mission’s path, but to accomplish it we work together at all levels, from the clergy team to the board, from committees to members.  Together we build a base for our community while we strengthen and support our communal path.