Servant Leadership

I’ve experienced this “different style of leadership” recently. It is a leadership style that puts the person leading in a role that seeks to serve the very people he/she is charged with leading. It is way different than the standard “dictatorial leadership” that I’ve seen the most often over the years. This style of leadership features a leader with empathy, understanding, boldness, gentleness, love, respect & competency all wrapped up in one person. I see servant leadership as investing. I also see servant leadership “coming alongside” instead of “top down” barking orders. Servant leaders are not necessarily “push-overs” either. Servant leaders are on a mission that is crystal clear to them. They have a different road map to get the job done and they seem to enjoy the journey while leading.

I came across a passage of scripture that I’ve noticed many times before, but I saw it a bit differently this morning. Jesus knows that His time here on earth as a human teacher is just about up. He is getting ready to have dinner with His team of leaders/disciples one last time before He’s betrayed. Check this out…

¹² After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? ¹³ You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. ¹⁴ And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. ¹⁵ I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.¹⁶ I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. ¹⁷ Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.

³⁴ So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.³⁵ Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:12-17; 34-35 NLT)

Servant leaders lead by example.

Servant leaders care about the people they are charged with leading.

Servant leaders create excellent culture in the place they are charged with leading.

Servant leaders create a “serving culture” with their company’s clients & customers.

Servant leaders bring empowerment to their team by example and investment.

Jesus set the example of servant leadership. He came to serve instead of being served, yet He was the “highest ranking individual” on the planet. I am inspired to lead like this. I am more of a “door holder” than a “door mat”. I want to motivate and inspire others to lead by serving. My career as a REALTOR is really a servant leadership profession. I should never approach my clients/friends and customers with a “know-it-all” attitude, but rather a teaching/serving spirit. I think any workplace and profession benefits and excels under servant leadership.

Pressing On!

Dwayne