Focus on Righteous Leadership

Focus on Righteous Leadership

Recently on the Lead Like Jesus Facebook newsfeed was this question, “What does your prayer life reveal about your leadership? Are you spending time talking with God about your heart, head, hands and habits?”  So as a leader and one who studies leadership I pondered this question I arrived at some of the answers below.

John 13:15 (NIV) Jesus said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”  Jesus is the perfect leadership role model.  No one else comes close.  There have been and will be great leaders – but none are a perfect leader.  In Christ’s perfect leadership role model He continuously modeled servant leadership. “True greatness, true leadership, is found in in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you” (J. Oswald Sanders).

Proverbs 29:2 (NKJV) confirms the power of a servant leader.  “When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan”.  People will reflect the example of their leader.  This is one of the basic foundational pieces of being a leader.  Consider when you have worked with a leader who is first a servant to those he/she leads.  You see examples of developing leaders at all levels of the organization.  You see public recognition.  You see empowerment.  You see the leader challenging others to be at their best and put forward their strengths, (their spiritual gifts from God).  J. Oswald Sanders reminds us, “Desiring to excel is not a sin. It is motivation that determines ambition’s character. Our Lord never taught against the urge to high achievement, but He did expose and condemn unworthy motivation.”  And it is “unworthy motivation” as a leader that brings us to the second part of this Proverbs verse.  People will groan, complain, feel disenfranchised when a leader has unworthy or wicked motivations.  Anyone who neglects or abandons his family for fame, status, or financial gain isn't really successful (John Maxwell).

So it brings me back to the question above about my prayer life.  How does my prayer life reflect my leadership style?  "When you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." Matthew 6:6 (NIV).  In the last several months I have become far more intentional about my prayer life.  I continue to ask for guidance and direction from the Holy Spirit so that I am Spirit led and not head led.  I ask the Holy Spirit for guidance as a servant leader and in the development of the next generation of leaders.

You will recognize the Holy Spirit’s work in your life when you burn with a desire for a pure heart.  Each day I listen for God’s guidance for the day and what I need to do with those I will come in contact with during the day.  Do I need to encourage, empower, or hold accountable?  “Trying to lead in your own power and authority will never achieve God's results. God's purposes are birthed through prayer and listening to His voice and lived out in humble dependence and obedience” (Lead Like Jesus, Facebook, Dec. 27, 2013).  I give my leadership to God each day as I follow His will for my day.