Jethro’s Leadership Intuition: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Leaders

Photo Credit: Spiritfilledlife.org

By William Ballard

When most people think of “leadership intuition,” they imagine corporate gurus in sharp suits, not a wise Midianite priest in the desert. Yet, that’s exactly where we find one of the most stunning leadership lessons in history—thanks to Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, in Exodus 18.  
 
Now, before you dismiss Old Testament wisdom as outdated, let’s remember that Moses was running the first-ever “startup nation” in the wilderness. His stress levels? Off the charts. His leadership team? Nonexistent. His customer support tickets? In the thousands! Enter Jethro, armed not with an MBA, but with intuition sharper than any two-edged sword. 
 
Jethro’s genius lay not just in what he saw, but in how he saw it. He intuited the root problem in Moses’ leadership—overwhelm, bottlenecking, and burnout. Modern leaders, are you taking notes yet?
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The Exodus 18 Story:
When Your In-Laws Really Do Know Best

​Dr. John C Maxwell argues in his book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership (AFF), that the Law of Intuition says, "Leaders evaluate everything with a leadership bias." 

With that in mind, now consider this: Moses is busy from sunrise to sunset, judging disputes, counseling, and probably untangling more drama than a reality TV producer. The Israelites form a line longer than Black Friday at Best Buy.

Then steps in Jethro who observes this circus and, in the friendliest father-in-law tone, asks, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge...?” (Exodus 18:14, NKJV).
 
Moses, perhaps sweating through his robe, answers, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. When they have difficulty, the come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statues of God and His laws.”

​In other words: “Who else is going to do it?!”

That's when Jethro’s leadership intuition kicks in. He sees Moses’ noble intentions but also his unsustainable methods. Cue the first-ever recorded leadership intervention. Jethro’s advice ... 

Stop being a one-man show and build a team.

​Moses listens, and history is made. If only more leaders took their in-laws’ advice, right?
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Jethro’s Four Leadership Qualifications:
​The Gold Standard

​Now, here’s where it gets juicy—and profoundly practical for today’s organizations. Jethro doesn’t just say, “Get help!” He lays out four timeless qualifications for leaders, found in Exodus 18:21:
 
“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.” (NIV)
 
Notice: Nowhere does it say, “Men who are nice.” Compassion? Yes. People-pleasing? Not required. Leadership is about integrity, not a popularity contests.
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1) Able Men: The Power of Capability

​First up: “able men.” Jethro didn’t say, “Find whoever’s standing around looking bored.” He said, pick those who are capable. In modern terms, he’s talking about skills, competence, and that can-do attitude.
 
Let’s be honest: every team has that one person who can solve any problem with duct tape and determination. That’s your “able man”—the one who gets things done, rain or shine. Jethro’s leadership intuition tells us capability isn’t about a fancy title; it’s about results.
 
If you’re building a team, don’t just look for credentials—look for proven ability. Can they handle responsibility? Do they adapt in the wilderness (or the office)? If so, you’ve found your first Jethro-approved leader.
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2) Men Who Fear God: Integrity Over Image

​Jethro’s second qualification: “Men who fear God.” Now, don’t picture someone trembling in the corner. The “fear of God” here is about reverence, respect, and a deep moral compass. It’s the opposite of the “anything goes” mentality.
 
Why is this so brilliant?

​Because skills without values are a recipe for disaster. You want leaders who know right from wrong, not just left from right on the organizational chart. Jethro intuits that character counts, and a leader’s private morality will eventually shape public decisions.
 
In a world obsessed with optics, Jethro says: Choose those whose hearts are anchored in something bigger than themselves. That’s leadership intuition worth following.
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3) Men of Truth: The Unbreakable Backbone

Third, Jethro insists on “men of truth.” Forget spin doctors and half-truths—Jethro wants straight shooters. In an era where fake news travels faster than a desert wind, truth-tellers are rare and precious.
 
Leaders who are “men of truth” don’t fudge numbers, shift blame, or twist facts. They stand by their word, even when it’s tough. These are the folks who’d rather lose a deal than lose their integrity.
 
Think of your own experience: Who do you trust more—the smooth talker or the straight talker? In the long run, truth wins. Jethro, centuries ahead of the game, knew that trustworthy leaders build trustworthy organizations.
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4) Men Who Hate Covetousness: The Greed Proof Filter

​And now, the pièce de résistance: “men who hate covetousness.” Not just “men who avoid a little greed,” but those who hate dishonest gain. Jethro’s leadership intuition is laser-focused here—he knows that unchecked ambition corrupts even the best teams.
 
Covetousness is the craving for more—more power, more money, more recognition. It’s the silent killer of ethical leadership. Jethro says, “No thanks.” Pick leaders who can’t be bought, bribed, or swayed by shiny objects.
 
Imagine your workplace if every leader truly hated greed. Fewer scandals, more loyalty, and a culture where doing the right thing is the norm, not the exception. That’s the Jethro standard.
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Leadership With Compasion—But Not Necessarily “Nice”

​Let’s clear up a modern myth: Leadership is not a popularity contest. Nowhere in Exodus 18 does Jethro say, “Find leaders who are nice to everyone and never rock the boat.” Compassion? Absolutely. People-pleasing? Not necessarily.
 
In fact, sometimes the most compassionate thing a leader can do is deliver tough love. Think about Moses--he wasn’t exactly handing out participation trophies. He was leading a nation through a desert!
 
Jethro’s leadership intuition recognizes that “niceness” can sometimes get in the way of honesty, accountability, and real growth. The best leaders listen, respect, and care—but they also challenge, correct, and, when needed, say “no.” That’s the difference between leadership and likability.
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Leadership Wisdom From Scripture

​Now let's sprinkle in a few more scriptural gems, because who doesn’t love a little divine authority with their morning coffee?
 
Exodus 18:17–18 (NKJV) says, “So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘The thing that you do is not good. Both you and these people who are with you will surely wear yourselves out. For this thing is too much for you; you are not able to perform it by yourself.'" 

In modern terms: Don’t try to be a hero. Delegate!
 
Proverbs 29:2 (NKJV) says, “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people groan.”
 
Jethro knew that righteous leadership brings peace, not pain.
 
And many of us are also familiar with 1 Timothy 3:2–3 (NIV) where it says, “Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.”
 
Echoes of Jethro, anyone?
 
Jethro’s intuition is echoed across the ages. The best leadership isn’t about titles; it’s about truthfulness.
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Applying Jethro’s Wisdom in the 21st Century

​So, how do you take Jethro’s four-point leadership plan and apply it to your own personal or professional situation —whether you’re leading a Fortune 500 team, a small business, or a carpool of rowdy kids?

• Recruit for ability:  Don’t just fill seats; fill them with people who can get the job done.
• Value integrity over image: Celebrate those who do the right thing, even when no one’s watching.
• Prioritize truthfulness: Make honesty the norm, not the exception.
• Root out greed: Build a culture where “enough” is celebrated, and “more..., more..., more...” is frowned upon.

 
And when in doubt, ask yourself: “What would Jethro do?”
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Why Every Leader Needs a Jethro

​Let’s face it: every Moses needs a Jethro. Whether you’re at the top or just starting out, you need wise advisors who can see what you can’t. Leadership intuition is often sharpened by outside perspective.
 
Jethro didn’t show up to criticize; he showed up to elevate. He saw Moses’ strengths, but also his blind spots. He didn’t just offer feedback—he provided a system, a structure, and a new standard.
 
So, leaders: Find your Jethro. Invite feedback. Welcome the voice that says, “There’s a better way.”

​And when you become a Jethro for someone else, share wisdom with some humility. After all, nobody likes a know-it-all—even in-laws.

As a business coach, let me be your Jethro. ​
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Leading Like Jethro in a “Nice” World

​In a world obsessed with being “nice,” Jethro’s intuition calls us to something higher--compassionate, courageous, and conviction-driven leadership. It’s not about being liked by everyone; it’s about being respected by those who matter.
 
So, be bold. Be discerning. Be the leader who seeks out able men and women, values truth, fears God, and shuns greed. And when you need a little advice, don’t be afraid to call your in-laws. You never know—you just might find your own Jethro, ready to help you lead with ancient wisdom and a smile.
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Final Thoughts: From the Desert to the Boardroom
— Lead Like Jethro

​Leadership intuition isn’t mystical; it’s practical, observable, and learnable. Jethro didn’t just state problems—he offered solutions grounded in character and common sense. His four qualifications--able men, men who fear God, men of truth, and men who hate covetousness—are the secret sauce to lasting leadership.
 
Remember: You don’t need to be “nice” to lead well. You need to be compassionate, courageous, and clear in your convictions. So, go ahead. Lead like Jethro. And if someone calls you “wise beyond your years,” just smile and say, “Thanks—my in-laws taught me.”

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William Ballard is the founder and CEO of William Ballard & Associates, LLC. He is a serial entrepreneur and has built a successful career leading and growing organizations based, in large part, on his ability to ask great questions, speak with candor, and identify talented people with whom to collaborate.

​It’s from this foundation that William helps aspiring entrepreneurs, small business owners, and ministry leaders navigate organizational, industry, and societal changes to move their organizations closer towards their vision.