A Different Leader

I have served under a lot of different leaders in my work life. I have known insecure leaders, who always need to share their title or profession, which they hope to set the tone for authority for them. I have also served under leaders who were strong leaders beyond their title, but they simple served with respect and humility. After learning of their title and seeing first-hand how they lead, I was profoundly influenced. Leaders without followers are not leaders. I remember Charles Barkley resisting the “leadership role” he was in by nature of his celebrity status. I believe our world is starving for servant leaders. Servant leaders are not insecure. Servant leaders are secure in who they are and what they bring to the table. Servant leaders inspire me. Some people use their power to influence others – while servant leaders use service to influence. Servant leaders care deeply about the people they are leading. Jesus called His disciples to servant leadership. It’s not about titles and positions of power – it’s about leading from a place of service. Check this out….

²⁴ When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. ²⁵ But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. ²⁶ But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. ²⁸ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:24-28 NLT)

I have had the opportunity to lead our real estate company for the past seven-plus years. It is an honor to lead from place of service. It’s a bit counter cultural to lead while serving. I see the real estate industry as a profession of service. We serve buyers and sellers of real property. We seek to protect them and provide counsel to them in each conversation. I want to learn and grow in my depth of service to my clients and customers. I believe that every profession where the leader is a Christ follower is in a position of serving others.  I believe that the “servant leader” is way more effective that the “authoritarian leader” who barks orders. Jesus set a profound example of servant leadership – I would be wise to keep following His example.

I was really inspired by the Clay Scroggins Podcast on Entreleadership recently. Clay reminds us to:

1. Lead Yourself
2. Choose Positivity
3. Reject Passivity
4. Think Critically

Pressing On!

Dwayne