Dynamic Leadership Series Part 1
The story of Joseph, the son of Jacob from Genesis, is a powerful example of dynamic and transformative leadership from the inside out. This is a fascinating story of resilience, forgiveness, and faith. Joseph was his father’s favorite, which invited his brothers’ disdain. This set off a chain of events from chapters 37-50 of Genesis where his older brothers considered killing him, but ended up selling him into slavery. Along with all the pain of being forced into a new reality in a foreign land, Joseph is wrongfully accused and spends years in prison. He was continually betrayed by those he maintained his loyalty and integrity with.
Yet, in Genesis 50 a powerful scene takes place after Joseph ascends to being Prime Minister in Egypt. After the family is reunited and spends many years together Jacob, the brothers’ father, dies. Out of fear of Joseph’s retaliation, the brothers fabricate a story saying Jacob pleaded for their forgiveness. Joseph is brought to tears and and responds as follows:
But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.
-Genesis 50:19-21
PAUSE… Joseph didn’t want to get revenge? He didn’t want to rub his success in his brothers’ faces? No. He cried because his brothers still felt that they needed to manipulate him to be forgiven. But he had already let go of his anger. Joseph responded with care (while calling out their malicious intentions) and an assurance that he had put their heinous acts behind him.
So, here’s the question. How? How was Joseph able to let go while enduring hatred, lies, and wrongful imprisonment for years? He must have had a DEEP inner life. Obviously he took time to work through his pain, desires for revenge, and bitterness. A response like his shows that Joseph had processed his feelings and found freedom in forgiveness. Do you have a deep inner life? Most of us don’t. Instead of being an angry tyrant, Joseph thrived as a world leader and stewarded his responsibility well. He was able to thrive in the present because he had dealt with his past.
Leadership Challenge: Most people don’t take time to pause on a daily basis. How is your inner life impacting your relationships, especially with those that you lead? Block out time each day in your schedule to be in silence. If this is a new practice start with fifteen minutes and build up from there. What’s going on in there? What do you need to deal with?
Take the journey towards a deep inner life. Experience transformation from the inside out.
Kathairo Solutions 
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