Leading Successfully with 5 Valuable Lessons from Joshua

Many people want to become successful leaders, but not many know the key to the success of a true leader.

Joshua also experienced the many facets of leadership when he had to lead the people of Israel after Moses. The early days of his assignment surely were not easy, because he had to take over the role of Moses, one of the greatest leaders of all time. Even so, Joshua successfully led the people of Israel into the promised land.

For those of us who are learning to lead, here are five lessons we can imitate from Joshua's leadership:

1. Humble

Remember the whole journey that the LORD your God has led you on in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you and test you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. – Deuteronomy 8:2

One of the keys to Joshua's success as a leader was his humility. Moses led the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt and wandered for forty years in the wilderness. As his successor, Joshua had been Moses' servant from his youth (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 11:28). His humility enabled Joshua to receive Moses' training and guidance. Without a heart willing to learn, forty years of serving is a time that is very long.

Are you learning from the way someone leads? Keep being humble, so that your mind and heart can easily absorb many lessons from your mentor.

2. Obey the Word

Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to act according to all the law that Moses My servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. – Joshua 1:7

The Lord promised success to Joshua if he obeyed His word. Joshua did what the Lord commanded when he captured the city of Jericho, so the Lord gave victory to the people of Israel (Joshua 6:1-21).

Successful leaders in the eyes of God are those who obey His word. That means you choose to remain obedient when you are faced with a situation where you must decide whether to compromise with sin or do what is right. The reason is simple: leaders who obey will be an example to the people they lead. And in the end, it is the Lord who will give you victory.

3. Strong and Courageous

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9

In the first chapter of the book of Joshua, we see how God assigned him to lead the people of Israel. Three times God emphasized that Joshua should be “strong and courageous.”

As a leader, Joshua needed direct support from God, who is the source of strength. This character was already visible in the book of Numbers 13, when Joshua was assigned by Moses as a spy for the land of Canaan. Out of the twelve spies, ten were pessimistic, and only Joshua and Caleb were optimistic that they could take the land.

Successful leaders like Joshua always rely on God, because only He is able to strengthen and steady a leader's heart. By being strong and courageous, only then can you encourage others to trust and lean on God's strength.

4. Glorify God

And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for the LORD your God is He who has fought for you. – Joshua 23:3

One man of you shall chase a thousand, for the LORD your God is He who fights for you, as He promised you. – Joshua 23:10

Joshua was the leader of the people of Israel, but he knew that all praise for their victory belonged to God. Most leaders want to be appreciated by the people they lead, and in the end, without realizing it, they exalt themselves. Successful leaders are those who acknowledge the source of their success. Instead of glorifying themselves, they give to God what belongs to Him.

5. Preparing a Successful Next Generation

When Joshua was old, he gathered the elders and tribal leaders of Israel to encourage them to remain faithful to their covenant with the Lord. He also warned them of the consequences if they broke that covenant. After Joshua was gone, the Israelites continued to worship the Lord (Joshua 24:1-31).

Success Is Passed On

Successful leaders will not let the order they have built collapse into chaos when they leave their group. Leadership must not rest on one person alone. In other words, good leaders do not think only about their personal success, but also about the future of the next generation.

Joshua's success did not make him a perfect person. He was still an ordinary human being like us. Joshua succeeded because he had a number of supporting qualities: a humble leadership style, obedience to the word, strength and courage, glorifying God, and thinking about the interests of the next generation. Let us apply all these things so that we can become leaders who fear God and succeed like Joshua. Amen.

Related Articles:

• Everyone Can Become an Inspiration
• How Do We Find Our Talents?
• Can I Become a Leader?
• 5 Character Traits of High Achievers
• Motivating Your Husband: Effective Ways to Inspire Without Judging

-