My first book and website are titled Faith Guided Leadership. But what is faith guided leadership? I have been very passionate about how to lead, and it took me a long time to realize that the reason I am so passionate is because it is my faith in God that dictates what traits I feel are important in leadership.
One of the most important traits is being a servant leader. Jesus taught us that the way you were 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 the influence Jesus had to benefit their own stature in life. Jesus could have just put them in their place. Maybe you have had a boss that has taken this approach a time or two. Jesus’ approach was to get down on His knees and wash 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. How did it make them feel? They were very confused. Jesus was teaching them about humility. Humility is a strong trait of a good leader. He was teaching them about serving others instead of expecting them to serve Him. There are several passages in the Bible about the importance of being a servant.
But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant. Luke 22:26
But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11
We can learn so much from this perspective. Developing our sense of servanthood will take us far in leadership. Carrying that servanthood approach in your leadership style plays a big part in developing a team. So how do you develop this trait?
- Spend as much time or more exploring how you can support your team as you do setting the expectations you have from them. Are you giving them the tools to be successful? What else can you do for them?
- Have your team evaluate your performance as much as you evaluate theirs. We may think we are doing things the right way, but are we? Develop an atmosphere that promotes feedback on how you are leading.
- Focus on giving away instead of gaining power. Empower your team to make decisions and impact the path of the team.
- You do not have to have all the answers. Rely on your team and realize their talents that can compliment yours. Some people worry that their team will overshadow them and then they are no longer needed. Get over yourself. That is self-centered thinking and just the opposite of servanthood.
I would love to hear your comments of people you have worked with over the years who have resonated the servanthood mentality in their leadership style.
