# 5 The Leader & Delegation
Leaders do not serve to do the job but to get the job done. Leaders lead to empower others to do the job Christ has given them to do.
When a leader “does it all” he is in effect putting the body of Christ into handcuffs, because he has kept others from doing what they have been called to do.
Delegation is what leaders should do best.
by Phil McCallum
Read on to learn three marks of good delegation.
Moses and Peter faced the same problem. Both were serving in a new day of God’s dealing with people, and both were swamped with work at the office. Both men found the same solution to their problem: share the load with others who were capable for the task.
Here’s what worked for Moses: But select capable men from all the people--men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain--and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. (Exodus 18:21)
Here’s what worked for Peter: Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them. (Acts 6:3)
Delegation is more than a great leadership principle; it is God’s way of getting his work done best.
A leader must delegate responsibility. If he finds it hard to relinquish tasks or finds it easier and faster to do himself, he or she needs to ask the hardest question of all: why?
Is it a fear of poor quality? The best way to train others is to give them experience and to learn from mistakes.
Is it a sense of significance? Just put your finger in a bucket of water and extract it. The hole that remains shows how indispensable a leader really is.
Leadership is based on humility that God has surrounded a leader with people of potential, who given the chance, could do even a better job.
A leader must give not just the task but the authority necessary to do the task well.
Consider what a risk Jesus took in giving authority to the disciples to heal and deliver people from demons. He not only gave a job but the power to do the job (Luke 10:17).
This kind of delegation needs a leader who is secure enough to give power over to others. There should be no “breathing down the neck” but freedom to do the work.
Leaders must regularly meet with those given responsibilities to measure results and to make improvements. Goals should measurable and reviewed because what we measure is what we get.
There should be a scheduled debrief so that there is a sense of accountability to finish the work.
Jesus did precisely this when he gathered the 12 together after their trip and had them report to him all they had done (Mark 6:30).
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