In conversations about leadership or success we often hear an analogy as ‘climbing the ladder.’ However, climbing the rungs of a ladder does not equate to leadership, position maybe, but not true, effective leadership. Success in any life venture comes from being firmly rooted where you are planted with a desire for growth. In leadership this growth will be both personal growth as well as growth of those around you and forward movement toward the objectives. If one is always looking at the next level (or rung on the ladder) he will be missing the opportunities for personal growth on the current level as well as the opportunity to assist others in growth possibilities. A leader whose focus is on his/her next move will fail to lead her current team to the best of their ability.

I suppose aspirations of higher position is sometimes okay. But beware, lest we fall into the trap of climbing the ladder. Bill Williams, former president of Pyxis, shares of a lesson he learned from Moses, the Old Testament leader of the Israelite nation. I’ll get to that lesson in a moment.  Before leading the nation of Israel for forty years Moses found himself leading sheep for forty years and the Bible says he was on the back side of the desert. While I do not claim to know where “the backside of the desert” is, I do realize any part of the desert is desolate. Therefore, I believe the writer is telling us this was beyond desolation and isolation. Bill Williams says, “I suspect they (those years in the desert tending sheep) were filled with questions and frustration.” True, God honoring leadership comes out of a willing heart. A heart willing to face trials and experiences, spending time in the trenches (or in the backside of the desert). True leadership comes from bringing others with you along the journey.

Bill Williams lists eight observations about Moses that he believes God gave him for leading Pyxis and for all areas of life.

1. It is common to desire to fulfill or claim a promise or destiny with fleshly abilities.
2. God’s timing is never our timing. It’s always longer.
3. God will always deal with the character of his servant before fulfilling the promise.
4. We always think we are far more capable of accomplishing His work than we are.
5. Spirituality is always learned and there are no shortcuts. The process is frustrating and often makes no sense at the time.
6. We must be content with the ‘small’ things He has placed in our path while we wait. (Moses led sheep for forty years before leading the Israelite nation)
7. Enduring is not fun. But the resulting character of endurance is a mighty tool in the hand of God.
8. Times of endurance build our faith, trust, and reliance on God. They teach us the spiritual to make a promise become a reality.

A seed grows where it is planted and a flower can only bloom where it lives. Rather than looking too far down the road at personal dreams and hopes, spend your days blooming right where you are. Success for tomorrow is always borne from the efforts of today. God has placed you where you are today because He desires you to lead successfully at home, work, and at play. Realizing the eight observations from the life of Moses can help you grow in every area of your life. Lead for success.

Parts of this post (the 8 observations) are paraphrased from writings by Bill Williams.