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Moses was a CEO who knew when to move on
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Moses, a veteran teacher, lawmaker, negotiator, and civil rights leader, nonetheless knew when it was time to let go of the reins of power. In this, he was perhaps uncharacteristic of many CEOs, directors, sports icons, prime ministers. Forty years after leading the Hebrews out of Egypt, he stood at the threshold of Canaan—the Promised Land. The Old Scripture tells us, poignantly, that he climbed Mt. Nebo to simply stare out at the expanse of earth that would become Israel.
“Oh, Lord, I pray thee, let me go over to that goodly land.” Moses, aged but vital still, breathed deeply and took in the sweet orchards below, the graceful olive groves across stony hills, the sunflowers, the distant Mediterranean which hung like blue silk across the far horizon. But he wasn’t going there, even as all of us discover in the course of life, that we simply aren’t going to make it to a goal, complete a job, fulfill a marriage, or recover from illness. We are informed by life’s limits and from this comes bittersweet wisdom.
Observing “succession issues” in many settings, churches, corporate offices, universities, one feels the anguish of a man or woman who simply doesn’t accept that his/her time is complete. Rare is the self-effacing leader who knows how to transition with grace and in favor of the institution more than the self. It’s understandable on one level—the very strength, savvy, wit, and vision that made someone a steward in a place is the essence of what prevents him/her to imagine life without that dominion.
Moses, who sought no accolades, who had no buildings named after him, and whose burial place was deliberately anonymous, was singularly different. He anointed his lieutenant, Joshua, deliberately and openly, in a public setting. Having done that, he simply walked away.
When people asked him to continue teaching, he responded: “It’s not for me anymore. I don’t have license any longer. I can no longer go in and out. Joshua will lead.”
Here is greatness: It comes to the ones who don’t seek it.
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