Risky Business

As we sat under a blanket of snowfall in the DC area, I had a lot of time to think about leadership - and to experience the effects of good and bad leadership. What was great about this snowstorm was the forecasting. Typically in Washington the weather patterns change so rapidly that drizzles turn to thunderstorms and heavy snow turns to a few flakes. Maybe it is the Doppler Radar or maybe it's global warming, but somehow the meteorologists are getting it right this winter (for the most part). So, we knew it was coming, we knew it would be big, and we knew we weren't prepared.

What is a leader to do?

Snow might be a formidable opponent, but imagine facing a land with seven armed nations, leading a people trained only in surviving the desert, known for complaints and fearful of impending disaster. Add to that, that you have just succeeded the most renown leader of all time -- the man who defied a Pharoah and led a nation out of bondage. Oy Vey!

This is Joshua's predicament as we open the Book bearing his name. Joshua is charged with leading the people of Israel into the land of Israel. He and the people know what's coming, know it will be big, and know they are not prepared. What does Joshua do?

As if he was an ancient boy scout, he starts with: be as prepared as I can possibly be. Joshua shores up his alliances and his leadership position. He sends more spies to gather information. He cautions people to stock up on supplies. He knows this will not be enough. Four times in the first 18 verses the text talks of being "Strong and Resolute." The people need to mentally acknowledge that this is going to be difficult.

He gathers everyone and early in the morning they begin their march toward Israel. When they approach the Jordan river they stop. The whole march ceases. The people stay at the bank of the river for 3 days. Imagine! We get ourselves all stocked up and prepared to stay in -- and we are stir crazy by day 2 - let alone day 3. The people of Israel had themselves all prepared to march into battle, and they are stopped cold in their tracks. We are thinking, "enough already, let those kids go back to school!" They are thinking, "Let's get on with this - I'm prepped to fight."

What stops leaders from charging ahead? With each decision a leader measures the risks associated with each side of the choice. Sometimes a great leader needs to push people into an area of great risk either because of the mission or the potential large payoff if successful, or because the consequence of not meeting that risk could spell disaster. joshua does lead the people across the Jordan River. But he does so when the risk has been mitigated -- in his case he waits for God to intervene and split the waters. School officials did send kids back to school, but only once they felt it safe enough for people to drive and kids to walk.

I know that school officials took a lot of flack for delaying re-opening school. I can only imagine the earful Joshua experienced given the complaints the people voiced when waiting at Red Sea. Yet, taking flack is better than putting people at too much risk. Good leaders know when to cry uncle.