The Center for Creative Leadership tells us, “the softer leadership skills of trust, empathy and genuine compassion for employees were needed to help organizations through transition.” Another comment by the same organization, indicated “there is a strong correlation between the long-term success of an organization and the degree to which its leaders practice soft skills.”
Henri Nouwen says, In the Name of Jesus, “The Christian leader of the future is called to be completely irrelevant and to stand in this world with nothing to offer but his or her vulnerable self.”
Christ tells us (Matthew 20:25) “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
John MacArthur tells us in, The Book on Leadership, “According to Christ, then, the truest kind of leadership demands service, sacrifice, and selflessness.” Further, he states, “Leaders who look to Christ as their Leader and their supreme model of leadership will have servants’ hearts. They will exemplify sacrifice. A leader is not someone who is consumed with his own success and his own best interests. A true leader is someone who demonstrates to everyone around him that their interests are what most occupy his heart. A real leader will work hard to make everyone around him successful. His passion is to help make the people under his leadership flourish. That is why a true leader must have the heart of a servant.”
This week, as you go to your marketplace, remember Paul’s encouragement in (Galatians 5:22), “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
Leadership is the soft skills of caring, sharing and coming along-side others.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach