As a Servant Leader you are not the important person. You are not the power broker and may not be the boss. The Servant Leader is primarily responsible to and feels accountability to those who follow. The Leader is, “the servant of the followership”. (Marquardt, Global Leaders for the Twenty-First Century) “It’s not about me; it’s about my crew”. (Navy Commander Michael Abrashoff USS Benfold, Fast Company.
Christ’s love sets the pattern for us. Paul tells us, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres … the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 & 13 NIV)
As Lundy puts it, “The single most important skill of an executive (leader) was his or her ability to get along with people. If you cannot get along with other people, then you are disqualified as a Servant Leader”. (Servant Leadership for Slow Learners)
Love and respect for people are terms that should be commonplace and a concept that is felt in all our church discussions, board meetings, task forces and daily discussions at work. This week, strive to find ways to demonstrate God’s love to your work associates through love and care. As a leader, you are only effective when you build on your people skills and your people feel cared for.
Take a minute and think though the 1 Corinthians verses again. Imagine these verses forming the culture at your place of worship. As Christian Servant Leaders we can and should redefine the standard by handling all our interactions with love and respect. As Christian Leaders, at home, with neighbors, at work and at church we need to be known by His love.
Leadership is … a Servant Leader committed to serving others.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com