The general notion is that Pharaoh was a wicked and hardened leader. Those descriptions are part of his leadership journey. However, can a person be only bad? This question requires a deep answer.
This article is not intended to defend Pharaoh, but rather to look beyond conventional views. As someone interested in leadership development, I examined his approach and discovered several noteworthy qualities that offer valuable lessons for visionary leaders.
For those unfamiliar with Pharaoh’s leadership style, his story can be found in the Book of Genesis. Start reading from Chapter 41.
I want to briefly highlight a few lessons I have learnt from him and how these lessons are very important in shaping leadership at various levels:
- He had dreams: In our current leadership world, we would call that a vision: They were dreams about the future, which he did not understand. Leadership is first about having direction. I define leadership as direction.
- He looked for a solution: Yes, he started with the people he knew before seeking an outside solution. How many leaders will do that? His eagerness for a solution was very good. He did not care about where it came from. He humbled himself and sent for a prisoner to guide him. What a wonderful leadership concept. Not minding the who but the what.
- He accepted the solution: Imagine the leader of the biggest nation in the world today asking, listening, and accepting advice from a young prisoner. How many will do that? Pharaoh did when his consultants failed to help him.
- He saw potential and rewarded him: Remember that Joseph was not a citizen of Egypt. He was not even of the same tribe or religion as Pharaoh, yet Pharaoh did not care. He went beyond their differences and focused on the solution. That is a leadership quality that all leaders need to have. God hides solutions in different places and people. Sometimes the person you hate could be having the solution you need. I imagine how solutions were denied entry into a nation through visa denials.
- He did not follow the protocol: Sometimes the protocols are good, but sometimes a different approach is needed in problem-solving. Pharaoh did that. He quickly implemented the promotion of Joseph and gave him a special office and powers.
- Pharaoh supported legal migration: Eventually, he supported Joseph’s intention to relocate his extended family to Egypt for survival reasons.
There are other qualities, but I need to stop here. Which one of them is your favourite quality? Leaders are problem solvers. A solution can come from anywhere. Leaders must be willing to look for them, accept them, and give the right people the opportunity to perform despite their backgrounds.
Pusonnam Yiri
Theologian and Entrepreneur.
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