Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Servant Leaders are those who prioritize the growth, well-being and empowerment of their team above their own recognition or power. Servant Leaders are people of integrity and humility who put their people first. They are compassionate collaborators and systematic thinkers. They are always ready to serve and passionately lead others to succeed. Servant Leadership is the highest form of leadership where the focus is shifted from personal success to adding value and impacting others.
Jesus was and is the perfect epitome to a Servant Leader. In every step of His ministry He impacted, transformed and empowered others. Significance was His only focus. He taught, healed and corrected not to promote His fame but to impact lives. The night before His crucifixion was the grand finale of Jesus’ servant leadership, teaching us to pursue lives of significance rather than merely success. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him (John 13:5).
In the Greso-Roman and Jewish societies foot washing was the lowest and the most menial tasks assigned to the lowest-ranking slaves in the household. Jesus exhibited humility, self-effacement and significance by choosing to do the most menial of the jobs at the final dinner table with His disciples to teach them servanthood and significance. Jesus, the selfless leader picked up a basin to wash His disciple’s feet but Pilate, a positional and people-pleasing leader who fancied popularity rather than integrity, took a bowl to wash his hands free of guilt for crucifying an innocent man.
A servant leader focuses on the success of others and leads with empathy but a self-centered selfish leader is focused on his success and leads with fear.
Servant Leaders – the ultimate rank of leadership:
- Sincere: The motives, intentions and actions of a Servant Leader are sincere. There will be no hidden agenda in a Servant Leader.
- Selfless: Servant Leaders will always prioritize others above themselves.
- Significant: Servant Leaders will make a significant and indelible mark on their followers.
Significance cannot be suppressed, silenced or subdued.
Prayer: Father God, transform me into a Servant Leader and to leave impactful significance in others. Amen.
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