Leadership is about others. Being called to Leadership is an awesome journey. You’ll have mountaintop 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. 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.” (John C. Maxell & Ken Blanchard, How you can Achieve Great Relationships and Results 2018)
As parents we guide, care, support and love our families. We will sacrifice anything for our kids. The same goes for the Servant Leader.
Laurie D. Kennedy