“Servant Leaders
bring in the best talent in the business in order to accomplish their goal,
even when that means they may be upstaged.” (russcanto)
As humans, we naturally organize
people into two categories: servants and masters, or leaders and followers. But
there is a third category that Jesus asks us to participate in… many knows it
as the “servant leader”.
I’ve had small bits of leadership
during my life, and this is never something that I’ve thought deeply about.
Servant leading? Yeah, okay, totally. I’ve heard that term since I was a kid,
in Sunday school and on mission trips.
But in the recent future I’ve
suddenly begun to have real leadership positions… I have people working under
me, and I have to lead WELL… and I’m glad that there is a learning curve,
because I have a lot of work to do! I like to lead, but I’m not always necessarily
GOOD at leading, I’ve found.
And then today I stumble upon John
13. (Well it wasn’t too much of a stumble, really - since I’m reading through
John)
This is the chapter of the Bible
where Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. Wow. It’s kind of crazy. He is the
leader of ALL, and yet he’s stooping to do something dirty and menial, but he’s
doing it FOR THEM. He isn’t too much of a leader to serve. Because the right
kind of leader is one who serves. Yes, a leader is needed to stand up and give
instructions and organize and hold people to deadlines and all that… but
there’s also this part of being a leader - a very important part - that
included being willing to SERVE those who are following you. To be willing to
do their jobs, or even jobs below what they do, in order to help them or care
for them.
I think the idea of a servant
leader is nice and idealistic, but it’s not often seen. Sure, there is the
perfect model that Christ gave us, but where else do we see this being carried
out?
The modern business world often
promotes an, “ahead at any/all costs” mentality. The modern world of church
leadership often values flash, numbers, and giving rather than substance,
service, and sacrifice. Don’t even get me started on the modeling that occurs
within Hollywood and those of fame and status.
When you become a leader, you get a
whole lot more responsibility. You become partially responsible for those who
are following you, or working for you. It’s easy to just get caught up with
finishing your task, and forget about serving those you are working with. (Courtesy:
Natalie of http://coffeetimewithgod.tumblr.com/)
And I’m determined to learn how to
NOT do that. Like Jesus.
“Whenever we have an opportunity or
responsibility to influence the thinking, behavior, or development of others,
the first choice we are called to make is whether to see the moment through the
eyes of self-interest or for the benefit of those we are leading.”
— Ken
Blanchard
