Leadership, in its truest sense, is not born in the limelight of command but in the quiet discipline of following. The modern world celebrates the leader who stands tall, gives orders, and commands influence. Yet, in the divine blueprint of leadership, following precedes leading. This week’s Sunday Coffee With Siphiwo Lushaba dives into an ancient yet timeless truth, that great leaders are first, great followers.
The story of Joshua and Moses remains one of the most profound illustrations of mentorship and followership ever recorded. For forty years, Joshua walked beside Moses, serving, observing, and learning. He watched how Moses communed with God, led a restless nation through the wilderness, and bore the weight of leadership with grace and endurance. Joshua’s promotion to leadership was not accidental, it was cultivated through years of humility, respect, and perseverance.
There is something sacred about the posture of a true follower. When Moses grew weary during battle and the weight of his calling became unbearable, Joshua continued leading the army, while Aaron and Hur held up Moses’ hands until victory was achieved. They understood that sometimes leadership requires not taking the staff, but supporting the one who holds it. That is the essence of divine leadership, knowing when to lead from the front and when to lead from behind.
In our generation, followership has become an underrated virtue. Many want to rise, but few want to serve. We forget that respect, tolerance, loyalty, and endurance are not signs of weakness, but pillars of greatness. To follow is to understand, to serve is to learn, and to tolerate is to grow. Joshua followed long enough to know not just how to lead men, but how to walk with God.
True leadership begins with submission. It is birthed in patience, molded by humility, and tested through service. Before we demand to be followed, we must first learn to follow with respect, tolerance, and vision. Perhaps that is where many of today’s leaders fall short, they skipped the season of following.
This is an appointed Sunday Coffee, a reflection for anyone yearning to lead with purpose. Remember, the best leaders are not those who rise first, but those who serve faithfully in the shadows until it’s their time to step into the light. Until we meet again, keep walking.
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