Leadership Transition: The End of an Era.

But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see. Deuteronomy 3:28 KJV

Moses continues to report what God said to him. You see, Moses represented an era that had to end. By the next book,Joshua will be the protagonist. This last report will take the next thirty chapters. The reason is simple, the journey did not allow them develop structures for transition. Moses wanted them to succeed. So he spent time encouraging the people on how to live in the land and what is expected of leadership. Moses represents the law, Joshua represents grace. The promised land represents a kind of heaven for them. The change will be crucial. Its important to know that leadership will not do everything in its time. There’s another leadership you must prepare for succession. Your era will not last forever, even if you’re the friend of God. Studies show that transitions require preparations. Moses is here trying to put a five year course into a few evenings at the very edge of his departure. Someone describes this leadership transition as, ” …any significant change in a leader’s role caused by promotion, secondment, changing organisations, merger, acquisition, restructure or returning from maternity/paternity/career leave.” He forgot to mention death or like Moses, a bodily translation. Studies show the during the period of transition, most leaders suffer from, ” lower levels of effectiveness, poor productivity and an increased chance of derailment”. Moses appeared to have gathered momentum for instructions. How are you preparing for your transition? Jesus talked with the disciples until he was taken up. Start yours now.