Leading Through ChangeSample

Jacob Adjusts His Speed

In Chapters 32 and 33 of the book of Genesis, a wonderful story is presented of the reunion between two brothers, Jacob and Esau, who had been separated for years. It is worth highlighting a particular aspect of Jacob, specifically the change in character he underwent and his newfound ability to keep pace with and accompany others. Jacob had set out on the journey to reunite with his brother after many years without seeing him, and particularly after having done something unpleasant to him: he had stolen his birthright. Despite the fear and uncertainty of how he would find it and whether it would be well-received or not, he set out on the road. Before arriving, he sent messengers to gauge his brother's emotional state and intentions prior to the meeting, and they informed him that his brother had come out to meet him. Once they met halfway, they made peace.

Then, in Genesis 33:12-14, Esau tells Jacob that he will go before him, showing and marking the way, but Jacob tells him something important and worth highlighting. He asks Esau to go ahead, because he had to go "little by little to the pace of the cattle that go before me, and to the pace of the children." Jacob, whose name means "cheater," and whose career had lived up to his name by always seeking to take advantage of everything, showed a different disposition, one that would not leave his people behind. Although he perhaps wanted to go faster to speed up the celebration with his brother, he decided to wait. He had learned to assess the state of his cattle and to recognize his family's capabilities. He did not want to oversaturate them with speed when walking, so they would not be exhausted. It was in line with Proverbs 27:23, "Be diligent to know the state of your sheep, and take care of your flocks." A person who is willing to walk at a different pace (either faster or slower) for the benefit of others is a sensitive individual who functions within a code of honor.

Between Jacob's departure for his brother in Chapter 32 and the encounter in Chapter 33, a battle occurs that transforms Jacob. The cheating Jacob now became the "sensitive" Jacob. A personal encounter with God that transformed his character activated his sensitivity to those around him. He realized that he was not the most important thing, and he learned to put others above himself. He understood that his best version was achieved by coupling rhythms with those around him. The Bible (Gal. 6:1) invites the most spiritual to step out of their comfort zone to approach those who are in an unfavorable condition, to raise their sense of worth.

Reflect on the following questions:

• In what ways do leaders unintentionally impose their own pace, whether too fast or too slow, on their teams, and what are the organizational consequences of this misalignment during periods of change and innovation?
• Consider a personal or organizational example: When has a leader (or you) advanced at a pace that strained key relationships? What indicators were missed, and how could a more attuned pacing strategy have produced better outcomes?

Extracted and translated from the book “Code of Honor” by Dr. Jesus Sampedro.