Leadership is often defined by choices made in moments of crisis. I think it was Dr. Munroe (of blessed memory) who said you don’t know how much of a leader you are until you are faced with a crisis. This saying simply connotes that a person’s true leadership qualities and capabilities only become apparent when they are confronted with a difficult or challenging situation, like a crisis, where their decision-making, composure, and ability to rally others are truly tested. But in calmer times, leadership potential might not be as evident. While stable periods may allow for careful deliberation, true leadership is tested when uncertainty, opposition, and high stakes demand decisive action.
A crisis-proof leader is one who remains steadfast, discerning the right course of action even when faced with seemingly insurmountable odds. This concept finds a powerful comparison in the biblical story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, where leaders and followers alike faced the choice of staying in Egypt; the land of oppression yet familiarity, or crossing the Red Sea, a step into the unknown, requiring faith and courage. This analogy presents two fundamental leadership approaches in times of crisis: remaining within the confines of familiarity, even if it is oppressive and toxic or stepping forward into uncertainty, believing in divine provision and future possibilities.
“So the same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people and their officers, saying, 7 “You shall no longer give the people straw to make brick as before. Let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 And you shall lay on them the quota of bricks which they made before. You shall not reduce it. For they are idle; therefore they cry out, saying, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Let more work be laid on the men, that they may labour in it, and let them not regard false words.” (Exodus 5:6-9)
A crisis-proof leader is one who, despite the fears, pressures, and obstacles, chooses to move forward, leading others toward a promised future rather than settling for the security of the known. In Exodus 14:15-16, the Bible says: “And the Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward. 16 But lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” Egypt, in the biblical narrative, represents not just physical bondage but a mindset of limitation. Many leaders, when faced with crises, are tempted to remain in their “Egypt”; the status quo, systems, or environments they know, even if those systems are detrimental. This reluctance to embrace change can stem from two major reasons:
(i) Fear of the Unknown: The Israelites, even after witnessing miracles, expressed a desire to return to Egypt when faced with difficulties in the wilderness. In Exodus 14:10-12, the Bible says:
“And when Pharaoh drew near, the children of Israel lifted their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians marched after them. So they were very afraid, and the children of Israel cried out to the Lord. 11 Then they said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you so dealt with us, to bring us up out of Egypt? 12 Is this not the word that we told you in Egypt, saying, ‘Let us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than that we should die in the wilderness.”
Leaders may hesitate to embrace change due to the unpredictability of new paths. The fear of failure or loss can cause them to remain in a situation that is stifling but familiar. Many African nations and their leaders for example, have been on this terrain for a very long time, and it is the reason why Africa as a continent has remained relatively backward, despite the abundance of human and natural resources at its disposal.
(ii) Resistance from Followers: Leaders do not operate in isolation. When guiding people, whether an organization, community, or nation, the resistance of those being led can discourage forward movement. In Numbers 11:4-6, the Bible showed us a typical example of this with the children of Israel while being led by Moses. It says:
“Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish which we ate freely in Egypt, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; 6 but now our whole being is dried up; there is nothing at all except this manna before our eyes!”
Many times, followers prefer security over vision, making it difficult for leaders to make bold moves. A leader who is weak and not strong-willed will in certain situations, yield to the demands of the followers thereby delaying their progress. No wonder for the children of Israel, rather than spending forty days in their journey to the Promised Land, ended up spending forty years. Egypt provided food, structure, and predictability, even in servitude. In modern leadership, there can be a reliance on broken but functional systems that provide a sense of security. Leaders may struggle with dismantling such systems, fearing the loss of benefits they have become accustomed to.
During challenging times, the desire for immediate relief can blind leaders to long-term vision. The Israelites, weary from the journey, considered slavery preferable to uncertainty. Likewise, leaders may choose short-term survival over long-term transformation, missing the greater purpose that lies ahead. On the other hand, crossing the Red Sea symbolizes a leadership decision to trust, innovate, and move forward despite uncertainty. Every leader, at some point, faces this defining moment: stay in Egypt, where things are familiar but limiting, or take the risk of crossing the Red Sea toward transformation. Crisis-proof leadership demands the latter; choosing courage over complacency, vision over fear, and faith over doubt.
The greatest leaders in history have been those who, when faced with their own “Red Sea,” did not retreat but moved forward with faith, strategy, and courage. They understood that while staying in Egypt might seem safer, true leadership is about taking people to a promised future, even when the way is unclear. Crisis-proof leadership is about making the hard but necessary choice to advance. Staying in Egypt may offer temporary comfort, but it ultimately leads to stagnation and unfulfilled potential. Crossing the Red Sea, though risky and uncertain, leads to transformation, freedom, and a legacy of leadership that inspires generations.
A leader’s response to crisis determines not only their own destiny, but that of those they lead. The question remains: when faced with your own Red Sea moment as a leader, will you stay in Egypt, or will you cross over? Think about it!
Article Source: Centre for New Dimension Leadership
