True leadership is always revealed in hard times.
In good times, it’s unclear whether the leader believes in the cause. They could just be using the cause as a tool to enrich themselves. Leaders who do this won’t sacrifice their position of leadership for the cause, leading to hypocrisy, corruption, and tyranny.
True leaders are always eager to humble themselves before the cause, readily inviting criticism, and elevating other voices around them.
True leadership is measured in its costs, not its gains. Anyone can be a leader in easy times. Only those with a true moral compass can lead in hard times or when it costs them everything.
Do the leaders in your life talk more about themselves? Does it seem like they talk out of both sides of their mouths? When is the last time they lost an argument? Can you predict their words and actions based on their principles or is it their instinct for self preservation that drives their behavior?
The greatest questions you can ask a leader is “Who do you serve?” “What are you sacrificing for?” “What has your allegiance?” Most people are not reflective here. They serve money, the admiration of others, public opinion, the stock price, or their boss who tells them what to do. I’m afraid most leaders just haven’t thought about these questions. They’ve lusted after titles and never considered where their loyalties lie. When pushed, it seems obvious they only serve their stomachs, their comforts, and their feelings more than anything else. How can power not turn such a person into a weak, deceptive, manipulative, and corrupt individual?
Even though you might not have an official title of leadership, what do you serve? Is it money, comforts, and your feelings? Are you just using positivity, optimism, and other cliche tools to serve your self? Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for anything bigger than yourself or are you willing to sacrifice everything to yourself?
If you are surrounded by leaders who only serve their selves, run. They are like children with handguns. Their master will sacrifice everyone and everything around them. Do whatever you can to strip them of their power, even at cost to yourself. Reject them.
If you are surrounded by leaders of principle, celebrate. They are great leaders because they are the most committed to principles like truth, honesty, integrity, and love. These leaders are humble. They are the greatest followers and the greatest servants. Do whatever you can to protect these leaders. Elevate these people. Honor them. Follow them. Their humility and wisdom will bless everyone around them.
Some might say we have an epidemic of poor leadership but I say we have an epidemic of weak followers. Only those who are great followers can recognize and become great leaders. Until we learn how to reject those serving only themselves and honor those who serve principles greater than themselves, we will suffer under “poor leadership”
I see this principle of servant leadership in the teachings of Jesus and scripture as well.
Jesus and his disciples went to his home in Capernaum. After they were inside the house, Jesus asked them, “What were you arguing about along the way?” They had been arguing about which one of them was the greatest, and so they did not answer. After Jesus sat down and told the twelve disciples to gather around him, he said, “If you want the place of honor, you must become a slave and serve others!” (Mark 9:35-37)
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (John 6:38)
Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death,or to obedience, which leads to righteousness. But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:16-18)
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. (Philippians 3:19)
He must become greater; I must become less. (John 3:30)
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17: 45-46
Therefore, let these 6 encouragement be your guide if you aspire to be a leader:
1. Become a great follower. Get really clear about the principles that control your life and desire that others follow those principles even if they do not follow you. Rejoice that others are serving the higher virtues, especially when they are following the true and living God. Be satisfied if you have no one following you, since your only true aim is to be a follower, a slave, and a servant.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9)
2. Let your leadership be one of example, not authority. You are the greatest servant of the principles, not the greatest beneficiaries of leadership. It should be obvious to everyone around you that you are not in charge.
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
3. Find ways to elevate other followers into leadership to serve as an example to everyone. A diversity of examples will make the power of the principles clear, turning the spotlight away from you to the truth that is guiding your group.
For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. (1 Corinthians 3:4-5)
4. Find ways to be judged by the principles. This humility will show others how much you trust the principles and force you to articulate your beliefs. Without these costs, your followers might ask that question of Satan, “Does Job fear God for nothing” (Job 1:9)
5. Find ways to offend those in your group with your principles, making it clear that you are not serving their idols or their opinions. Controversial stands for the sake of truth is necessary in a world that idolizing lesser values like money, comfort, or social status.
You live in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to acknowledge me,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:6)
A great illustration of this is seen in 2 Samuel 6, when David makes a fool out of himself in worship of God. His wife Micah was embarrassed and David made it clear to her that he would become much more foolish for the sake of his God…
And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart…
Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord.
And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. (2 Samuel 6)
6. Attempt to make your leaders better by competing with them as to who can be the greatest follower of truth, love, and God. This is the essence of holding leaders accountable. Every leader should encourage their followers to give them specific criticism and specific encouragement, fighting for their alignment with the truth and exposing blindspots.
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
Romans 12:10
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
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