4 ways to lead like Jesus
We’re all leaders in some capacity. It’s true, we are. And many people don’t even recognize their influence. Perhaps you’re thinking, “I don’t run a business, or I’m not a high-level executive or manager at my job and I’m not a leader.”
Leading isn’t all about the spotlight. Let’s take a closer look. Are you a mom? You’re a leader. Do you have siblings? You’re a leader. Maybe you’re leading some neighborhood kids or friends. Let’s try this: Are you a Christian? You’re a leader. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes, and as Christians, we’re called to lead like Jesus.
What is leadership?
Some leaders are loud and powerful while others lead with soft-spoken demeanor. Leadership, from a workplace perspective, rarely has a positive connotation among employees. LinkedIn espouses that, according to a 2021 Global Leadership Forecast, “Only 11% of surveyed organizations reported they have a ‘strong’ or ‘very strong’ leadership bench, the lowest it has been in the past 10 years.” Employees agree with this, with many vocalizing that they feel underappreciated and that their organization doesn’t invest in their skills and professional development.
When it comes to churches, the outlook regarding leadership isn’t much better, with 42% of pastors contemplating leaving the pulpit, according to a study done by Barna. The reasons cited include: feeling lonely and isolated, political divisions, and feeling unsupported among staff.
The problem: People aren’t leading like Jesus. Sure, everyone has a different leadership style. Regardless of your leadership style, we should all strive to lead like Jesus.
How to lead like Jesus
Even if you’re not a Christ follower, you can still glean some insight from Jesus’ leadership style. Here are four ways that Christians and nonbelievers alike lead like Jesus and see positive results within your community.
Invest in people. We hear a lot about investments — from investing your retirement, to your health and, now, people. Jesus invested in people. He cultivated relationships and took time to get to know those around Him. Rarely was Jesus’ investment in people fast. To effectively lead like Jesus, we need to slow down and adopt a servant-based philosophy when it comes to leadership. Rather than thinking, “What can this person do for me?,” ask yourself how you can serve them. What do they need? How can you make a positive impact in their life — be it professional or personal?
Ask for help. Burnout is a hot topic among leaders — even leaders who aren’t in the professional realm. Just ask a mom. People are overwhelmed and tired. And it’s OK to ask for help. Jesus delegated many tasks to His disciples. To quote an old Christian adage, “you can’t pour from an empty cup,” meaning you can’t lead like Jesus if your tank is empty.
Speak the truth. Part of being a leader is speaking truth to those around you — but make sure you’re offering grace and sharing with love. Jesus is known for His love and compassion, but He also rebuked those who needed correction. Many times, offering correction is difficult and awkward for most people. But those who truly strive to lead like Jesus will find a way to share opportunities for improvement with care.
Forgive those who have wronged you. People are sinful humans by nature. They’re imperfect and sometimes make poor decisions that often affect those around them. And it is so easy to hold on to that hurt and shame. Many times, it’s easier than offering forgiveness and mending relationships. To lead like Jesus, we need to forgive those around us and work to rebuild relationships. This easily applies to the workplace, but also to family, friends and ministries.
Are you ready to give leading like Jesus a try? We get that it won’t be easy, but we’re here to help you navigate what it means to offer leadership in the way Jesus would.
Centerpoint Church is ready to walk with you on your faith journey
At Centerpoint, our community believes in purpose and passion, and we would love to walk with you on your journey in finding yours. And every journey needs a Starting Point.
Starting Point groups are in-person, stress-free and judgment-free groups that meet periodically at Centerpoint Church. Here, you can spend some time getting to know fellow group members, reading and having an open conversation about topics like God, the scriptures, faith and Jesus. Completely new to the teachings of Jesus? Returning to church after a long break? Questioning the teachings you were brought up with or just unsure what you believe? Our Starting Point groups are here to help you navigate your faith journey. Get in touch with us to learn when the next Starting Point group is meeting or to join a Starting Point group.