WOULD YOU HIRE JESUS TO BE YOUR LEADERSHIP CONSULTANT?

Have you ever wondered if servant leadership fits into the leadership world outside of ministry? Do the principles of servant leadership work for:

• A corporate executive at AT&T?

• A president of an airline?

• A business entrepreneur?

• A general manager at Starbucks?

• A doctor, dentist, lawyer?

• A school principal? A schoolteacher?

• A little league coach?

• A policeman?

Jesus knows your environment whether it's pastoral, business, athletic or school related. Remember, He spent the first thirty years of His life on earth in the family's business. He knew what it was to work with His hands, earn a living, make decisions, deal with customers, and be exhausted at the end of a day.

Would you hire the Lord Jesus to be your leadership consultant? Does He have the expertise to deal with the leadership issues you face every day? Ken Blanchard and Phil Hodges in their fine book Lead Like Jesus (pages 16&17), reflect on some leadership challenges Jesus encountered:

• Working with or living and caring for imperfect people

• Taking time to train, develop, and delegate

• Under constant scrutiny and testing of His commitment and integrity

• Facing fierce competition and conflicting demands from friends and foes

• Tempted by instant gratification, recognition, misuse of power

• Facing serious personnel issues, including turnover and betrayal

• Communicating in a multicultural environment

• The need to challenge the status quo and hierarchy to bring about change

• The need to call attention to poor leadership at great personal risk

• The need to put career or relationships on the line to serve a higher purpose

• In His darkest hour, to be abandoned by His friends

• Eventually, dying on a Cross having done everything to perfection.

When hiring a consultant, you want to hear from the best. So why not bring in the Lord Jesus, who is perfect in everything? He’s not just smart. He’s brilliant. He’s the smartest, the wisest leader who ever lived. He always has the best information on everything and certainly on the things that matter most in human life. AND “Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. . . For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are---yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 2:18; 4:15)

When you call, email, or text, He’ll respond. He’s never too busy to answer.

What Are You In It For?

So, you're a leader. Great! And with your leadership come certain perks and benefits. A good salary (more than others on your staff), maybe a reserved parking space, large office, credit card for pastoral expenses, iPhone 16 and notepad, gasoline mileage, health club (maybe country club) membership, etc., all provided because you're a key leader. 

Imagine for a moment that you didn't have these advantages. Would you still want to lead? What if no one thought your way was always the best way? What if you didn't always have to have the final word? What if you had to listen more than you spoke? What if being “in charge” meant that your job was to see others succeed, to put them and their interests first? What if those you led got ALL the credit? Would you still want to lead? 

What if all you got was the pleasure of seeing others grow to greater, deeper maturity in Christ, achieved more than even they imagined and you were the spark, the catalyst, the mentor throughout the process? And they received the applause, the “well done,” the pat on the back, respect from others. Would you still be motivated to lead? Could you handle NOT being in the spotlight? 

Servant Leadership is hard work, it's a tough deal. There is a downside. Perhaps it should come with a Surgeon General's Warning: May cause headache, nausea, loss of appetite, loss of sleep, anxiety, indecision, loneliness, depression. 

Here's a question every servant leader should ask, “What am I in it for?” If we're in it only for ourselves, we'll do more getting than giving, expect more from others and less from ourselves, be more willing to be served than to serve. Servant leaders are into self-sacrifice, not self-promotion, like the Lord Jesus, who “made himself nothing, taking the very nature of the servant. . . and became obedient to death----EVEN death on a cross!” (Philippians 2: 7, 8) He served so well it killed Him.

 Blessings!

Servant Leadership in Action

It was the night before the execution, Roman style; not a private, lethal injection, but a public hanging on a cross, for the world to see and remember. But first, the Passover Meal.

Jesus and His disciples make their way to an upper-story room along a dust-covered street. At the house, a servant usually stood at the front door to wash and dry the feet of guests as they arrived. This night, the foot washer didn't show, and no disciple volunteered to replace him. Ever wonder why? Maybe they thought. . .

“I’m not a foot washer; not me; not my job.”

“I'll do hands---maybe; not feet.”

“I'm not a slave.”

“Have a slipped disc; Doctor recommends no bending or stooping.”

“I'm hungry. Need to eat.”

But Luke notes that during the supper, “a dispute arose among them as to which of them was considered to be the greatest.” (22:24). Maybe that’s it. As they sauntered through the door, each disciple thought they were” the greatest,” top of the list, second to none, the best.  There’s no way “the greatest” would stoop to wash dirt from another’s feet. Never.

So, each one walks in, looks around the room, and reclines on a cushion at the table.

Then Jesus enters. He walks to the table and lays on His side between John (the one whom He loved) and Judas (the one who would sell him). Interesting choice.

As He walks, He notices the dirty feet of his men reclining at the table. He doesn't say anything. Maybe He remembers His sermons, His challenges, His teachings about serving one another, about greatness. Maybe he thought. . .

“Did it do any good?”

“Will no one have the humility to wash even my feet?”

“My death is imminent.”

“Will no one serve me?”

During dinner, Jesus makes His move. Quietly, as the others ate, He slips away from the table, removes His outer robe, wraps a towel around His waist, and takes in hand a pitcher of water, a basin, and towel. Without saying a word (until He gets to Peter) He carefully washes and dries the feet of each disciple.

NO FANFARE, NO HYPE

NO BELLS AND WHISTLES OR HORNS BLARING

NO MEDIA PHOTO OP

NO ATTENTION DRAWN TO HIMSELF

NOTHING IS BENEATH THE DIGNITY OF A SERVANT LEADER. THEY SIMPLY WANT TO SERVE.

Jesus even washed the feet of Judas. JUDAS! Backstabber. Betrayer. Backslider. Conspirator. Double-crosser. His picture hangs in the same Hall of Shame as Benedict Arnold. Didn’t matter. Knowing what Judas was up to, Jesus bent over, removed Judas’ sandals, washed and dried his feet without saying a word. Maybe His look into Judas’ eyes said it all, “Judas---I love you.”  

You see, servant leaders stoop to meet needs. They're foot washers. They involve themselves in people's lives. Servant leadership is DOING---not talking about it in board meetings or preaching it in sermons or reading about it in leadership articles.  Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. . . Now that you know these things, you will be blessed IF YOU DO THEM.”

That night, THE GREATEST, washed feet

SERVANT LEADERS ACCEPT THE CALL TO SERVE WHETHER OTHERS DESERVE TO BE SERVED OR NOT—EVEN A JUDAS!

WILL YOU?

Leadership that Meets the Demands of Reality

“The greatest crisis in the world today is a crisis of leadership, and the greatest crisis of leadership is a crisis of character.” (Dr. Howard Hendricks, former professor at Dallas Theological Seminary.) A leadership crisis indeed. The examples are numerous:

Characterless leaders in corporations

Characterless leaders in government

Characterless leaders in athletics

Characterless leaders in finances

Characterless leaders in universities

Characterless leaders in many marriages and families

Characterless leadership in some big churches and large ministries

Some leaders didn't fail in their competency. They excel in what they do, but they fail (at times miserably) in their character, their inner life.

The word “character” comes from a Greek word “to engrave, inscribe, or sketch.” Character refers to the qualities internally engraved in people, which become an integral part of who they are. It's who you are as a person reflected in your behavior, both public and private. Character determines if your brain, talent, competencies, effort, and ability to make a deal will stand up even in the face of the negative. “Character is the ability to meet the demands of reality.” (Henry Cloud)

The supreme character trait of leadership greatness is INTEGRITY. Embrace this one, and you embrace many others. Integrity is wholeness, entireness, completeness, soundness. It's what personal health is to your body and what 20/20 vision is to your eyes. A life of integrity has nothing to hide. It's an open book.

Psalm 78:72 tells us, “And David shepherded them (Israel) with INTEGRITY of heart; with SKILLFUL hands, he led them.” That's a perfect balance for a leader. He skillfully handled situations that had no rules, no boundaries, no precedence. And in his character, he exuded a heart of integrity. He wasn't sinless, no leader is, but there were no cracks in his leadership.

Integrity:

•             Tells the truth every time, not just when it's convenient.

•             Means what it says and says what it means.

•             Is financially accountable and wise in handling money.

•             Is personally reliable; it keeps its promises. When it says, “I'll meet you at 9:00,” it's 9:00, not 9:05 or whenever I arrive.

•             Is privately pure. No double life that causes shame and disgrace to the family if known.

•             Finishes every job it starts.

• Follows the true path, though others cut corners.

•             Doesn’t fear the probing light of scrutiny.

“He who walks with integrity and works righteousness and speaks truth in his heart ... will never be shaken.” (Psalm 15)” He who walks in integrity walks securely,” (Proverbs 10:9)

 Fred Campbell is the President of Living Grace Ministries, a ministry committed to building and developing servant leaders around the world. He can be reached at fred@livinggraceministries.com. OR www.livinggraceministries.com

The Essence of Servant Leadership

Robert Greenleaf wasn’t a dynamic conference speaker on leadership, a management guru, or a bestselling author on workplace motivation.

He was an AT&T senior executive. In the 1970s, Greenleaf seriously rocked the corporate world with this shocking maxim: “The great leader is seen as a servant first, and that simple fact is the key to greatness.”

Someone wiser and greater than Greenleaf said it first. Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wants to become great among you, must be your servant; and whoever wants to be first must be a slave to all.” Then He defined His mission “. . . not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:43-45). Serving and giving. . .the marks of greatness.

We hear much about servant leadership today., , but what is it? What is the heartbeat of a servant leader who serves and gives? How do servant leaders stand out from other leaders? A few thoughts:

1.    Servant leadership is about character.

            Servant leadership isn’t about methods, techniques, and skills. Those are important, but not the primary focus. Servant leadership is an inside job. It’s character based, which in turn, is vital to leadership competency. It’s more about who we are as a leader than what we do as a leader. A leadership skill without character only makes the leader a better rip-off artist to manipulate others.

            Popular leadership writers, Kouzes and Posner, conducted a series of executive seminars at Santa Clara University. Over 2600 top-level managers were asked to complete a checklist of admired leadership characteristics. The number one-character quality looked for in a leader in virtually every survey was HONESTY. Honesty ranked above forward-looking, inspirational, and competent. HONESTY REVEALS CHARACTER.

2.  The servant leader’s paramount aim is always the best interests of those they lead.

            Servant Leaders THINK OTHERS FIRST. The interests of others take priority over the servant leader’s interests. Servant leaders make room for people. In their mind all people are important. In the words of Philippians 2:3, they “consider others more important than themselves.”

            “The leaders we admire do not place themselves at the center; they place others there. They do not seek the attention of people; they give it to others. They do not focus on satisfying their own aims and desires; they look for ways to respond to the needs and interests of their constituents. They are not self-centered; they concentrate on their constituents.” (Kouzes and Posner, Credibility, page 31)

To think others first is not primarily what the leader does—it’s about how they think. It’s what’s in the leader’s heart, not what they do with their hands.

3.  The servant leader’s paramount satisfaction is in the growth and development of those they lead.

            Servant leaders see themselves as “people developers,” not “take charge” heroes. They set direction and lead, but they’re not “bosses,” “control freaks,” “serve me or else.” They help others thrive and flourish, and in doing so people succeed. “How can I help you prosper?” drives the servant leader.

            “The true leader enables his or her followers to realize their full potential. . . the art of leadership lies in polishing and liberating and enabling the gifts of others.” (Max DePree, Leadership Is An Art, Page 10)

4.  Servant leaders desire accountability.

            Accountability is opening up your life to a few carefully selected, trusted, loyal confidants who speak the truth, who question, who have the right to probe, to appraise, and give counsel.

            Servant leaders despise the idea that they’re free to do as they please, that they’re above the rules; that they can do what others can’t do. Tiger Woods said in his first interview after his colossal moral failure, “I got away from core values. I felt entitled. I lived a lie.” The man had no accountability. No one looked him in the eye and asked the tough questions. Sadly, he probably didn’t want accountability, and he reaped what he sowed.

Remember, no one is an island, standing alone. We need each other.

Servant Leadership is a shift from self-serving leadership to leadership that serves others motivated by a change of heart. Leaders must get their hearts right to become a servant leader.

A Leadership Challenge for the New Year

INTEGRITY. Webster defines it as “wholeness; entireness.”  Integrity is completeness, a well-balanced life. In many cases, our society has abandoned well-balanced living. People lie, cheat, and steal. They break their marriage vows. They live in hideous sins like gossip and prejudice, incest and idolatry, greed and laziness, cut ethical corners to gain power and wealth, and put blame on others to protect themselves. Deception and manipulation abound. Lack of integrity has become an art form, a life-style.

Some leaders are guilty. They don't tell the truth ALL THE TIME, don't always say what they mean and mean what they say, are negligent in the handling of money, their own and others. Too often leaders are not reliable, don't keep their promises, fail to return emails, texts or phone calls, lead double lives that if known would cause shame and disgrace in their family.

Listen to what God says through the words of the Paul, His Apostle. “Therefore since we have this ministry, as we received mercy, we do not lose heart, but we have renounced the things hidden because of shame, not walking in craftiness or adulterating the word of God. But by the manifestation of truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:1-2) And how about this? “For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God, so we speak, not as pleasing men but God, who examines our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4)

Integrity has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity to it. It has no hidden motives, agendas, hypocrisy, or duplicity. It doesn’t play political games or engage in surface verbiage lacking substance. Integrity doesn’t manipulate others. It’s nothing but pure, simple. absolute honesty---WHOLENESS.. A WELL-BALANCED LIFE.

So leaders. . . do you want a fresh challenge for the new year? Start modeling and living  the truth. . .the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Think truth. Believe truth. Respond in truth. Speak truth. Face truth. Love truth. Seek truth. Walk truth. Talk truth. That last one is a good place to begin. Starting today, intentionally, deliberately, conscientiously “speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15)

That's a great place to begin---practicing gut-level integrity in 2019, your year of LEADERSHIP INTEGRITY.