“Will the leader please stand up? Not the President or the person with the most distinguished title, but the role model. Not the highest-paid person in the group, but the risk taker. Not the person with the largest car or the biggest home, but the servant. Not the person who promotes himself or herself, but the promoter of others. Not the administrator, but the initiator. Not the taker, but the giver. Not the talker, but the listener…our future leaders will demonstrate less charisma and ‘me first’ attitudes and will provide a greater emphasis on the servant model of leadership.” (Hesselbein)

Our world is changing; managing by control doesn’t work. “Tomorrow’s challenges require that its leaders be servant leaders.” (Greenleaf) Effective leadership is not based on education, charisma, speeches or slight of political craftsmanship but the character traits of honesty, caring, dedication and service. Those who are fortunate enough to work with a Servant Leader will find a leader who, “is willing to serve.” (Hesselbein)

Controlling, self-serving Leaders are like the shepherd in Ezekiel, “You eat the curds, clothe yourselves with the wool and slaughter the choice animals, but you do not take care of the flock.  You have not strengthened the weak or healed the sick or bound up the injured. You have not brought back the strays or searched for the lost. You have ruled them harshly and brutally.” (Ezekiel 34:3-4 NIV)  Consider, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” (John 21:16 NIV)

Yours in Service,

Laurie D. Kennedy

Leadership Coach

Jethrogroup.ca Author of Leadership Is … Devotions for Servant Leaders