Rehoboam had a leadership challenge. He was a new King with very little experience, having inherited the kingdom from his father.
The people, his servants and his subjects brought a delegation to him. They asked him to lighten their workload confirming they would willingly work for him. King Rehoboam told the people to give him three days to think (wise move).
King Rehoboam then looked for advice from the elders who had advised his father (wise move). Their advice was “If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and give them a favorable answer, they will always be your servants.” (1 Kings 12:7 NIV) (wise advice again)
King Rehoboam then sought advice from some inexperienced advisers (not smart). They advised him to be harder on the people than his father had. He then said to the people, “if you think life under my father was hard, you haven’t seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I’ll beat you bloody with chains! Rehoboam turned a deaf ear to the people.” (1 Kings 12:12-14 MSG)
“According to Jesus Christ, great leaders are servant-leaders. They love their people enough to get down and dirty with them. They don’t lead from the tower; they get down in the trenches. They serve and empower their people. They use their influence and resources to knock down barriers, remove obstacles, and enable those serving under them. That’s servant-leadership” according to H. Dale Burke in How to Lead and Still Have a Life.
Servant Leaders are committed to serve the values, ethics and the vision of the organization. They know that their volunteers and associates who work with them will demonstrate to their customers and associates the same work ethic and values the Servant Leader has shown to them.
Leadership is serving. A leader’s only job is to serve. Therefore, since leaders lead organizations, the ultimate purpose of any and all organizations is to serve.
Are your volunteers, staff and leaders demonstrating servant leadership?
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach