I have found in life that leadership isn't always about having the right answer or about telling others what to do. As a matter of fact, leadership is not about either of those things - there are plenty of smart, aggressive people out there that make terrible leaders. Instead, true leadership - as shown by Jesus Christ - is all about serving others. It is about helping them ultimately fulfill their potential in whatever setting they find themselves in.
True leadership calls us to focus on a point outside of ourselves, because such leadership must be others directed and others inspired. It is not always easy and it is certainly not our natural tendency. True leadership runs contrary to the prevailing wisdom of the world, which tells us to focus on personal success and advancement of self. Self preservation at all costs.
We have all seen organizational flowcharts that show the leadership of a given company at the top of the pyramid and the rest of the company as it flows towards the bottom. True leadership flows in completely the other direction. It serves as the opportunity to lift up and serve others and truly show servanthood to others. The emphasis is not on the leader but is focused on those that the leader leads. The world that we live in insists on a "look out for number one" mentality. True leaders don't follow that directive. Instead, they look out for those around them.
I have been in charge of others in my career and I wish that I could say that I lead like this but unfortunately I did not. A true leader never asks his people to do anything that he or she wouldn't do themselves. A true leader will cast and keep the vision that they set forth showing those around them where they are going, giving them a map of how they will get there. They will also provide the resources to get there. You can't make a cake without any eggs and you can't drive a car without the gas just as you can't accomplish a task without the help of those on your team. Don't just lead them show them that you are there to serve them. The example of leadership is clear, "Come to serve and not to be served."
True leadership calls us to focus on a point outside of ourselves, because such leadership must be others directed and others inspired. It is not always easy and it is certainly not our natural tendency. True leadership runs contrary to the prevailing wisdom of the world, which tells us to focus on personal success and advancement of self. Self preservation at all costs.
We have all seen organizational flowcharts that show the leadership of a given company at the top of the pyramid and the rest of the company as it flows towards the bottom. True leadership flows in completely the other direction. It serves as the opportunity to lift up and serve others and truly show servanthood to others. The emphasis is not on the leader but is focused on those that the leader leads. The world that we live in insists on a "look out for number one" mentality. True leaders don't follow that directive. Instead, they look out for those around them.
I have been in charge of others in my career and I wish that I could say that I lead like this but unfortunately I did not. A true leader never asks his people to do anything that he or she wouldn't do themselves. A true leader will cast and keep the vision that they set forth showing those around them where they are going, giving them a map of how they will get there. They will also provide the resources to get there. You can't make a cake without any eggs and you can't drive a car without the gas just as you can't accomplish a task without the help of those on your team. Don't just lead them show them that you are there to serve them. The example of leadership is clear, "Come to serve and not to be served."
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