Leadership is not about you. It is about others. If you are called to be a leader? It is and will be an awesome journey. You’ll have mountain top experiences. You will be thrilled to see others grow and serve. You’ll walk through some valleys. You will feel the pain and hurt of setback. You will also know that the Leadership calling to serve is an awesome opportunity.
Just like the Shepherd of old, the Leader of today is responsible to lead the sheep, to inspire followers to be awesome and to make a difference in the lives of others. The point is to demonstrate Christ’s love and to make a difference in the lives of those who follow you.
The effective Servant Leader will encourage, congratulate, and celebrate the team and others’ experience. As leaders trust others, their followers will trust them. Your people are encouraged as they follow a Vision they believe in. Great people leave when they are not respected. The leader/follower is not a contract, it is a relationship.
“Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed. (Matthew 4:19-20 MSG) He sat down and summoned the Twelve. “So you want first place? Then take the last place. Be the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35 MSG)
“Leadership, it turns out, is not about being in charge. Leadership is about taking care of those in your charge. The closest thing I can equate to servant leaders is the responsibility of a parent.” (Servant Leadership in Action, Ken Blanchard and Renee Broadwell)
As parents we guide direct and control. However, we will sacrifice anything for our kids. The same goes for the Servant Leader.
Leadership is … remembering there is no I in team.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com