The feedback that I receive, Lord, is that I do too much myself; I micromanage; and I do not exhibit enough trust in my colleagues. I fear that my delegation is incomplete. Would you help me feel safe in letting others figure out their own processes after I have identified the outcome and the appropriate performance measure. This perfectionism makes me think that if my own process is not adopted, my colleagues will not deliver. I find it annoying when people have done this to me in the past, and here I am doing it myself.
There is a culture here of showing our competence by asking endless questions of our colleagues. We create a “Star Chamber” by asking question after question until we stump them. We expect them to know everything their people are doing as if micromanaging is not only acceptable but proper. If they say, “Let me check with my direct report,” we say, “You should know this.” I do it; we all do it; and it is such a waste of time and talent. It is a nasty way to make people very clear about who is in charge.
I want to break from this behavior. Help me to lead my senior colleagues in showing more respect.
Section2, Scripture: Exodus 18:13-27; Acts 6:1-7
| Hebrew Scripture | New Testament |
| Appointment of Minor Judges.13 The next day Moses sat in judgment for the people, while they stood around him from morning until evening.14 When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that he was doing for the people, he asked, “What is this business that you are conducting for the people? Why do you sit alone while all the people have to stand about you from morning till evening?”15 Moses answered his father-in-law, “The people come to me to consult God.16 Whenever they have a disagreement, they come to me to have me settle the matter between them and make known to them God’s statutes and instructions.”
17 “What you are doing is not wise,” Moses’ father-in-law replied.18 “You will surely wear yourself out, both you and these people with you. The task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone.19 Now, listen to me, and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. Act as the people’s representative before God, and bring their disputes to God.20 Enlighten them in regard to the statutes and instructions, showing them how they are to conduct themselves and what they are to do.21 But you should also look among all the people for able and God-fearing men, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain, and set them over the people as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 22 Let these render decisions for the people in all routine cases. Every important case they should refer to you, but every lesser case they can settle themselves. Lighten your burden by letting them bear it with you! 23 If you do this, and God so commands you,* you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people, too, will go home content.” 24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all that he had said.25 He picked out able men from all Israel and put them in charge of the people as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.26 They rendered decisions for the people in all routine cases. The more difficult cases they referred to Moses, but all the lesser cases they settled themselves.27 Then Moses said farewell to his father-in-law, who went off to his own country. Exodus 18:13-27
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The Need for Assistants.1 At that time, as the number of disciples continued to grow, the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said, “It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table. 3 Brothers and Sisters, select from among you seven reputable men, filled with the Spirit and wisdom, whom we shall appoint to this task, 4 whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”5 The proposal was acceptable to the whole community, so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the holy Spirit, also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles who prayed and laid hands on them. 7 The word of God continued to spread, and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly.
Acts 6:1-7 |
Section 3
You may wish to be silent for a few minutes. Listen and discern.
Section 4
In your own words, in your own silence, speak with God.