Leadership is one of those words everyone thinks they know the definition of, but when they try to actually say the definition, they get all tongue tied. Like trying to define love, defining leadership can start off with a simple thought, but cannot be easily defined.
It might be helpful to take a different look at leadership to help us better define what it actually is. Maybe a good starting point is to look at how great leaders defined leadership:
“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” – John Quincy Adams
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists. When his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” – Lao Tzu
“In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better.” – Harry S. Truman
From here, we can glean a working definition of leadership as the process of inspiring and empowering others in a way that drives change. Yet we also know that this working definition lacks the reason to lead in the first place: Jesus.
Christian leadership has the component of Christ. And Jesus Himself was pretty clear on what a Christian leader looks like. It looks like Him:
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” – Jesus (found in John 13:15-17)
In other words, to be a leader in Christ, you have to do what Jesus did. You have to serve. Servant leadership is the very thing that defines a leader in Christ. We serve because He served. We do not think so highly of ourselves that we are unwilling to do what He did.
Servant leadership is traditional leadership turned on its head. Many think of leadership from the “top down”, but servant leadership is from the “bottom up”. It is inspiring others to serve by serving. It is empowering others to emulate Jesus by emulating Jesus. It is driving outward change by showing the changes Jesus is doing inside of us.
You may be thinking, “That’s great, but what should I do?” The practical application of this concept looks like this:
• Be willing and ready to do any job of those you lead. In fact, a great step is to do it alongside of them. Understand their role, challenges, and successes.
• Be Christ-like. (Oh, this is so much harder than it seems!) Show love and compassion always. Don’t let ouchy emotions fester. Lead in an authentic, open, and honest way.
• Be willing to tip tradition upside down. Jesus was truly unorthodox in His day. With gentleness and respect, be willing to question everything.
When we get down to it, a different look at leadership gets us looking in the right direction: Jesus. Be like Him and do what He did.
Rebecca Murphy is a member of Manchester Christian Church and has served in a variety of leadership roles. She is a certified career coach helping professionals achieve their next level of leadership skills. (c) 2014 Rebecca Murphy
