When I mention Pharaoh, who comes to mind? It’s probably the Pharaoh Moses encountered in the book of Exodus. That Pharaoh, however, isn’t the one I want to focus on, for there is one Pharaoh in the Bible who was a great example of a servant-leader. I am referring to the one who was Joseph’s contemporary in Genesis 37-50. It may surprise you, but this Pharaoh was one of the best leaders in the Bible and has something to teach us about servant-leadership! Here’s why.
EGYPT IN JOSEPH’S TIMES
Egypt in Joseph’s times was the most powerful nation in the world. Pharaoh had oversight over a large population and army. When Joseph first arrived, Egypt prospered and there was no end in sight. Yet, God was doing something that would shape history for centuries to come. He wanted to move His people, Abraham’s family, to Egypt from where they would make their exodus back to the Promised Land centuries later.
To accomplish that purpose, God sent Joseph ahead of his family to Egypt on a mission. While Egypt enjoyed their prosperity, Joseph was imprisoned – and then the drama played out that led to Pharaoh’s famous doubleheader dreams. If you remember, Pharaoh had two dreams, one where seven gaunt cows devoured seven fat cows, the other where seven lean heads of grain consumed seven healthy heads. Joseph helped Pharaoh understand that these dreams indicated seven years of famine would follow seven years of plenty.
The period leading up to the dream, the dream interpretation and the dream application all give us valuable lessons for servant-leadership that we would do well to emulate.
PHARAOH’S LEADERSHIP LESSONS
Take the time to read Genesis 40:1-5, 20-23; 41:1-4, 33-57; 47:1-4. What can we learn about Pharaoh from these passages? (We will look at five lessons this week and five the next two weeks after that. That will give you time to read the passages above and to reflect on what you read. Or you can go to my website and read all fifteen lessons at one time here.)
1. Pharaoh wasn’t afraid to lead his people. When Pharaoh had his dreams, there were no problems in Egypt. There was plenty of food and he learned from Joseph and his dream that there would be seven more years of plenty. The famine wasn’t even close to starting, but Pharaoh made firm decisions concerning the future. He began to prepare for the famine seven years in advance of its coming. What’s your seven-year plan for your organization? Your life? Do you even have one?
2. Pharaoh made quick decisions when he found the right person. There was no procrastination when Pharaoh decided to act. Too often, leaders hesitate to gather more information. Pharaoh knew he had found a “star” in Joseph and acted quickly to secure his services and wisdom. Good people are hard to find. When you find them, hire them! You will still have to manage them or else you will eventually have a mess on your hands. Delegation doesn’t mean abdication of responsibility. It means you hold your team accountable for results, but don’t micromanage the process.
3. Pharaoh understood personnel issues and effectively used probation, restoration and release. In Genesis 40, Pharaoh was angry with his cupbearer and his baker. Rather than “fire” them immediately, however, he took time to reflect on the situation. Too often, leaders can let personality conflicts or misunderstandings affect the relationships with the management team. Pharaoh could make quick decisions when needed, and I am sure he had a temper. In the case of these two “employees,” however, he waited one year. In some sense, he put them on probation. After a period of time, he “released” (all right, he executed) the baker and restored the cupbearer.
Don’t let your personal preferences regarding personnel issues rob your organization of its best talent. Learn to establish a “cooling off” period before making final decisions. Let the employees or team members know that they are on probation. Then when you’ve made your final decision about the future, don’t linger any longer. Make it known to everyone.It is significant that, using this process, Pharaoh made the best choice, for the restored cupbearer was the one who introduced Pharaoh to Joseph, the man with the plan.
4. Pharaoh spent time with his team. Pharaoh restored the cupbearer at his own birthday party that he held for his officials. The king of Egypt spent social time with his leadership team! It appears that they also talked some business while they met. It seems that Pharaoh never had his officials too far away from him at any point in time, so he could get their feedback and input. How close are you to your “team”? You don’t have to be their friend, but you do need to be their partner and associate.
5. Pharaoh partnered with his opposite. Pharaoh didn’t fill his staff with people like him. He brought in some “opposites.” Pharaoh was obviously a visionary; he therefore hired a good operations man in Joseph to carry out the day-to-day plans of the kingdom. Partnering with your opposite can be difficult, for they see reality and life in contrast to your viewpoint. They can, however, see what you can’t (and vice versa), however, thus strengthening the team through diversity and friendly dissent.Over the years,
I have worked at not just tolerating people who aren’t like me, but celebrating them! I need people who don’t think or look like me to build an effective team (that means women and persons of color). How diverse is your team? If your family member fits this need and has the skills, then employ them. If they don’t, spare your organization the pain of a bad hire by not employing them.
There you have the first five servant-leadership lessons from the story of Joseph's Pharaoh. Read and study the passages I mentioned this week and then tune in next week for the next five lessons from this outstanding leader, one who understood that servant-leadership was the best manner in which he could lead his people.
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Read the last eight entries on servant-leadership here.
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KENYA UPDATE: The final tally for the Crisis in Kenya appeal was $8,946! What a fantastic response, for which I am grateful to you for your prayerful support. You can read a series of thank you emails I received here, along with the latest thank you from Pastor Francis here, to whom I gave an additional $2,000 last Saturday. Just so you know, I distributed $1,000 to Pastor Peter at WAPIS, $5,000 to Pastor Francis at Upako Centre, $1,800 to Alice at Each One Touch One Orphanage, and $1,150 to Edith at WEMA Widows. You can read a short synopsis of each one of these ministries here.
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