In this piece, I have some thoughts to share with us as leaders on the subject matter of diffused leadership or decentralized leadership, as some call it, especially as it relates to solving organizational inefficiency. I believe diffused leadership is a system of leadership that is common among leaders one way or the other, however, its impact in transforming organizational inefficiency is one area that many leaders are yet to explore yet. Now, the idea behind diffused leadership is very simple, and I quickly want to show us from this example in the Bible. In Exodus 18:13-27, the Bible says:
Listen to Podcast: Transforming Organization Inefficiency Through Diffused Leadership
“And so it was, on the next day, that Moses sat to judge the people; and the people stood before Moses from morning until evening. 14 So when Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he did for the people, he said, “What is this thing that you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit, and all the people stand before you from morning until evening?” 15 And Moses said to his father-in-law, “Because the people come to me to inquire of God. 16 When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.”
This is a dangerous corner to be in or a dangerous position to assume as a leader, a situation whereby you are the only one who carries on your shoulders the whole responsibility of leading your organization. This of course would birth what is known as operational inefficiency within the organization. Things would drag, activities would be stalled and matters begging for urgent attention would go on for long unattended to. This is exactly the picture if leadership is about a one-man-show. And that is exactly what we read in the story above. The whole leadership responsibility was on the shoulders of Moses alone and it was telling on him.
Verse 17-18 says: “So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good…” What exactly is not good that was being pointed out here? Shouldering the responsibility of leadership by one man alone. Only you as the leader can’t bear the entire burden of the organization. It is not a good practice. It says: 18 Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.” But if leadership is diffused, in such a way and manner that subordinates are taught and shown what to do, then the problem of organizational inefficiency would not occur. See what the advice to Moses was as to the way out of the problem from verse 19. It says:
“Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God. 20 And you shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and show them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. 21 Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 22 And let them judge the people at all times. Then it will be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they themselves shall judge. So, it will be easier for you, for they will bear the burden with you.”
So, the solution to organizational inefficiency as we read from the above story is through shared leadership responsibility. As a leader, if you are looking for the best ways to getting things done in a more efficient and effective manner, then you must be willing to share part of your leadership responsibility and acumen with members of your team. And this works for any type of organization.
23 If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace.” 24 So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said. 25 And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. 26 So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. 27 Then Moses let his father-in-law depart, and he went his way to his own land.”
So, we saw how Moses learnt the art of sharing part of his leadership responsibility with others so that he can make progress with his life and so that in the long run, he himself will not weary out himself as a result of the enormous leadership task that was before him.
Benefits of Diffused Leadership
#1. It Brings About Employee Satisfaction on The Job. Most of the times, it is a psychological thing. When people are given a task, and they get it done effectively, they are happy on the job and they are willing to want to do more. In Luke 10:1 and 17, the Bible says: “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.” Verse 17 says: “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” We saw from that account how Jesus delegated some responsibilities to some seventy people, and how those people returned with joy after they had completed the responsibility.
#2. It Guarantees the Continued Survival of The Organization Even in The Absence of Its Topmost Leader. There are occasions in which the overall leader of the organization may be unavoidably absent from carrying out his leadership assignment. But in a situation when leadership within the organization is adequately diffused and decentralized, then the organization would continue to thrive and not shutdown. In Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT), the Bible says: “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” If your desire is for the organization you are leading to outlive you, then you must be willing to diffuse your leadership responsibility as the leader from now. This is how to make this work.
Alright. I believe you have learnt something from this podcast. This is where we are going to draw the curtains today on Leaderview. Please kindly share this podcast with your friends and as many people you know that would benefit from it. Also drop your comments in the comments section so that we can get to interact. Till next time on Leaderview, I remain Abiola Obayomi. Thank you!
[Centre for New Dimension Leadership]
