07-19-10
Earning Respect as a Leader
One of our Core Values at Fellowship is; “Servant Leadership.” We are always empowering leaders and the best leaders are servant leaders. Servant leaders take their example from Jesus Christ who led by example. Jesus never asked His followers to do what He was unwilling to do. The Son of God took on humanity and humbled Himself as a servant. (Phil. 2:5-8) He was not too good to put on a towel and serve His followers. (John 13) His love for His followers endeared them to Him and no doubt led them to lay down their very lives for His Kingdom.
Servant leaders earn respect. They do not demand it. There are three things that will help any leader earn the respect of those who follow them; first, by being teachable. A leader should always be learning. It has been said that when we stop learning, we stop living. We should always be learning from others. We should listen to people who know us, listen to people who know more than us, and listen to people who care about us.
Secondly, a leader needs to be consistent. Just as in any sporting contest we want the referee or umpire to be consistent, leaders need to be consistent when dealing with others. Morale and motivation can be lost in any organization when a leader is inconsistent when dealing with people. A leader cannot afford to show favoritism or be partial when handling people.
Thirdly, a leader needs to be attentive. Leaders need to know the people they lead so they can offer them the best possible leadership. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ knows His sheep and so He knows every little detail of their lives. This way He can give them exactly what they need so they will be set up to succeed. It is important for people to be in a situation where they can succeed. The job of a leader is to help the people they lead to succeed. Their success makes the leader more successful. Jesus Christ did not set His followers up to fail. He was patient with them and taught them patiently so that they would be successful after He went to heaven.
Respect is paramount to good leadership, but respect must be earned!
Servant leaders earn respect. They do not demand it. There are three things that will help any leader earn the respect of those who follow them; first, by being teachable. A leader should always be learning. It has been said that when we stop learning, we stop living. We should always be learning from others. We should listen to people who know us, listen to people who know more than us, and listen to people who care about us.
Secondly, a leader needs to be consistent. Just as in any sporting contest we want the referee or umpire to be consistent, leaders need to be consistent when dealing with others. Morale and motivation can be lost in any organization when a leader is inconsistent when dealing with people. A leader cannot afford to show favoritism or be partial when handling people.
Thirdly, a leader needs to be attentive. Leaders need to know the people they lead so they can offer them the best possible leadership. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ knows His sheep and so He knows every little detail of their lives. This way He can give them exactly what they need so they will be set up to succeed. It is important for people to be in a situation where they can succeed. The job of a leader is to help the people they lead to succeed. Their success makes the leader more successful. Jesus Christ did not set His followers up to fail. He was patient with them and taught them patiently so that they would be successful after He went to heaven.
Respect is paramount to good leadership, but respect must be earned!
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