The Law of the Lid (Christian Leadership 101: Part 4 of 10)

Scripture:

“Moses’ father-in-law said to him, ‘What you are doing is not good. You and the people with you will certainly wear yourselves out, for the thing is too heavy for you. You are not able to do it alone.’” (Exodus 18:17-18)

Your Leadership Capacity Determines Your Impact

John Maxwell’s Law of the Lid states that a leader’s ability is the lid on their organization’s effectiveness. If your leadership level is a 6 out of 10, your team or church will never operate above a 6. Your personal growth determines the growth of those you lead.

Many leaders assume that hard work alone will produce results, but that’s not entirely true. A leader who refuses to grow will eventually become the bottleneck for their team. The solution? Raise your lid. Grow in leadership, and your influence will expand.

Moses learned this lesson the hard way. He was trying to lead everything by himself until his father-in-law, Jethro, stepped in and said, “What you are doing is not good.” (Exodus 18:17) If Moses wanted to see God’s people flourish, he had to grow as a leader and empower others.

The same is true for you. If you want your leadership to have a greater impact, you must first increase your leadership capacity.

How to Raise Your Leadership Lid

1. Recognize Your Limitations

“If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed, but skill will bring success.” (Ecclesiastes 10:10)

Many leaders try to work harder when they should be working smarter. When your leadership is stuck, it’s often because you’ve reached a limitation—either in skill, knowledge, or mindset. The first step to growth is acknowledging where you need to improve.

✅ Action Step: Identify one area in your leadership where you feel “stuck.” Is it decision-making? Delegation? Communication? Write it down.

2. Seek Out Wise Mentors

“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.” (Proverbs 19:20)

The best leaders don’t lead alone. Moses needed Jethro. Paul had Barnabas. Timothy had Paul. God often uses other people to stretch and sharpen us. If you want to grow, find a mentor who can challenge and equip you.

✅ Action Step: Identify a leader you admire and ask them for advice. If you don’t have a mentor, start praying for God to send one.

3. Empower Others to Lead

“And you shall raise up leaders… so that they will bear the burden with you.” (Exodus 18:21-22, paraphrased)

One of the quickest ways to lower your leadership lid is to try to do everything yourself. Moses was wearing himself out until Jethro told him to delegate leadership responsibilities. Many pastors, business leaders, and parents struggle because they won’t let go of control.

Effective leaders develop others. Instead of hoarding influence, they multiply it.

✅ Action Step: This week, delegate one responsibility to someone else and trust them with it.

Action Steps for Growth:

Assess Your Leadership Lid. Where are you limiting your team? What skills or habits do you need to develop?
Find a Mentor. A great leader is always learning from someone further ahead.
Empower Others. The best leaders don’t do everything—they equip others to lead.

Bottom Line

Your leadership effectiveness is not determined by how hard you work—it’s determined by your willingness to grow. The more you invest in your leadership, the more your influence will expand. This week, commit to learning, seek wisdom from others, and start delegating. The Law of the Lid is real—so raise your lid and see what God will do through you.