Servant leadership

     Whether we are in a leadership position ourselves or are being lead, we know how profound the effects of leadership are. How should your faith impact your leadership? Ken Blanchard seeks to answer this question in a presentation given on Biola University’s campus, presenting Jesus as our model of a quintessential leader. The following article is based on that presentation.

Leaders make many and major decisions, and they have a significant influence on those around them; therefore, the type of leaders that we become matters. As Christian leaders, it is particularly important for us to look at the example of leadership that Jesus modeled for us in order to become more effective leaders. The example of leadership that Jesus gives presents four central lessons; two regarding character, two regarding methodology.
    The first key aspect of becoming an effective leader is that leadership is more about character than method. Your heart determines the type of leader that you are. Jesus did not come to earth to be served, but to serve. A servant’s heart is essential to be the type of leader that Jesus models for us. The methods are useless unless they come out of a servant’s heart. This idea of servant leadership is counter-intuitive to the ways that culture thinks about leadership, but this is the model that Christ set for us.
    A servant leader is someone who asks the question: “What can I do for you?” He is characterized by kindness, willingness to learn, honesty, and integrity. This is the type of leader that Jesus was during his time here on earth.
The second essential lesson regarding the character of a leader is that servant leadership is not about pleasing everyone, but about pleasing only One: God. Christ’s aim was not to please everyone, but rather to please only the Father in Heaven. As we look to Christ as an example of servant leadership, we learn that serving everyone does not mean pleasing everyone, but rather it means pleasing God first. If our actions, decisions, and attitudes are ultimately pleasing to God, then we are on our way to becoming a more effective leader.
Often times, our ego gets in the way of being truly effective leaders. The ego is focused on earthly success including wealth, achievement, power, and status. A servant leader’s focus is not on these earthly successes, but rather on things of spiritual significance including generosity, service, and loving relationships. If our focus is on the things of spiritual significance, then what the world regards as success are apt to follow. However, the reverse does not work. Focusing on earthly success will not help you gain things of spiritual significance, nor does the pursuit of earthly successes even guarantee that one will achieve these goals. However, if the aim is set on things of spiritual significance, then servant leadership is about only pleasing God. This is the goal of true servant leadership.
Though character is of the utmost importance, it is not the only factor in effective servant leadership. Effective servant leaders present a clear vision and direction for those whom they are leading. In presenting vision and direction, it is important to have a mission: What business are you in? What are your values? Most organizations can only successfully have three to five values, and these must be prioritized. The order of the values becomes important when there is a circumstance presented where there may be a conflict of values. Therefore, having values that are clearly presented in ranking order help give clear direction to an organization. In order to provide clear vision and direction specific goals must be clearly communicated to the employees. This gives the ‘big picture’ purpose for a company and allows employees to move in the same direction, each using their own unique skills and abilities to reach the goals.
Lastly, to be an effective servant-leader, it is essential that you be responsive to your employees if you expect your employees to be responsive to you. This is in effect to turn the pyramid upside down. The goal is to protect your employees from the effect of the hierarchy of corporations. Those at the top should make it their business to serve their employees. An effective servant leader asks his or her employees, “What can I do for you?” not “What can you do for me?” Part of this is empowering employees to make decisions and think for themselves as they problem solve in their area of responsibility. 
To illustrate this concept, think of the difference between a Duck and an Eagle. If employees are simply responsive to the leaders, they will only know how to “quack”. The Duck employees do not take personal ownership of their job and responsibilities, but just mimic whatever the leader says. They do not think for themselves or do their own problem solving. This is not empowering, but debilitating. These employees will not thrive in their work environment. However, if the leader empowers and serves the employee, the employee will soar and become an Eagle who thrives. The Eagle employees know which direction to go because the vision and goals have been clearly set. Once the vision are goals are in place, it is responsibility of those who lead to serve. This will create Eagles rather than Ducks out of the employees. It is the example of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet and ultimately dying on the cross for the people he loved that sets the example of how we should serve as leaders. As leaders we need to serve the people.
Character and methodology of a leader are intimately connected. It is impossible for a person to implement the methodology of a servant leader with out first having a servant’s heart. We must allow ourselves to be transformed in our hearts first toward an attitude of servant leadership. Then we will be able to practice effective servant leadership.