The best way to lead is to serve. This is the opposite of the way that some people think. I looked into the Bible for direction in this area, as I do in many aspects of my life. Jesus taught us that the way that you are strong is by being a servant. In the upper room, the disciples were battling over who would have the most power. They were simple men until Jesus came along. They wanted to tap into some of that influence that Jesus had to benefit their own stature in life. Jesus could have just put them in their place. I am sure that you have had a boss that did this a time or two. They want you to remember who is the boss. Jesus’ approach was to get down on his knees and washed the feet of the disciples. It is obvious to us who had the most power in the room. It was Jesus. This symbolic gesture shows us the importance of serving your team. They are not just there to serve you. Think back to what you have done recently to serve your team. How did it make them feel?
If you can not think of an example, use this time to be more aware of how you can better serve your team instead of just thinking about how they can serve you.
It says in the Bible that you must first be a servant before you can be a leader.
Matthew 20:26-27 (NLT)
But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave.
You can learn so much from that perspective. Developing that sense of servant hood will take you far in the area of growing your leadership skills. Carrying that sense of servant hood in your leadership style plays a big part in developing a team. If you can serve the needs of your team, they will be able to, in turn, reach the goals that you have put before them. You are putting limitations on your team if you are just thinking about yourself.
How have you helped your team this week to be successful? Or are you so “hands off” that your team has to handle whatever comes up on their own? Does your team have the confidence in you to know that if they fall behind in your expectations of them, that you will jump in and help them through the tough times. I have done that with my team and have had team members comment to me that they have never seen someone in my position jump in and help like I do. It is this type of approach that let’s me enjoy having the strongest team that I have ever had.
Give me some examples of how you served your team this week.
