The Jesus
Model
The objective is to effective. Being in the leader position is not always effective. Yes, you may have the vision but it takes followers to bring the vision to life. Without active followers the vision remains in the abstract and is never brought into concrete form.
When people are intimidated by you for whatever reason they may feel inadequate. These insecurities often result in inertia. Not doing anything for fear that it won’t come out just right. Or it won’t be as good as the next person.
The Jesus model emphasizes servant leadership. Becoming equal to demonstrate greatness. Pulling off your titles, crown and royal robes and taking on equal sometimes even inferior status to demonstrate the greatness in others.
Jesus, the perfect model for servant leadership came from a
holy, immaculate, exquisite home to be born in a dirty, stinky stable alongside
animals and hay. Why, would he do that? His actions were so that we could be
redeemed. The creator of the universe became man so that man could become one
with the creator.
In the Old Testament he led as God. There was very little
kinship and camaraderie with the people. God being so holy could only relate to
those he had called and anointed for the task.
It was difficult to build a relationship with a God of judgment. He was
one to be feared not one to talk to as your friend. Only a few special people
had that privilege.
In the New Testament, with titles taken off, all of that
changed. Now everyone had the privilege of speaking to him as a friend and
confidant as their personal redeemer. No longer was he unapproachable. No
longer did you have to be intimated by his presence. Upon his leaving this
earth he declared that all of the power that he had was now given unto us. We
now could do the same things that he did while on earth.
While in the Old Testament there were only had a few people he could commune with, in the New Testament and subsequent ages millions of people are able to communicate with him on a personal level. Millions of people are now able to carry out his work and do the good that he foresaw.
What a great way to be effective. What a great way to get the
job done.
So, here on earth in order to be effective sometimes we have
to take off of the titles and big robes and degreed statuses to help others
understand their greatness. When you know who you are. When you have come to a
certain place of maturity you no longer need titles to do the work you are
called to do. If the objective is to help others achieve their greatness
sometimes you have to become as others to help them see all that they are
capable of being and becoming. As long
as you are out front they are always looking to you and they can never truly see
themselves.
Now, stepping back is going to be hard. Especially when people
are used to you stepping forward. It will not only be hard for them it will be
hard for you.
The innate qualities of a born leader are constantly on
automatic. Leaders find themselves being creative, coming up with ideas,
solving problems and the whole gamut. But if you are not careful you will find yourself
alone in these endeavors. Your leadership persona is too much. It’s overpowering.
And people can feel overwhelmed by your presence and your actions; thus leading
to follower’s inertia.
Empowering others requires patience and a stillness in one’s
spirit. You will often be misunderstood. Some will think you have abandoned
them. They will feel like you are letting them down. They will feel all sorts
of emotions. But at the end of the day those with leadership potential will
step forward and you can gently guide from behind.
Let me the first to tell you it will hurt for your actions to
be misunderstood, but you have to remain true to the greater purpose. If the
greater purpose is to empower then remain true the calling.
Many didn't understand why Jesus had to die. They didn't understand
why he had to leave them. Here was God in the flesh allowing man to crucify
him. Unspeakable! Unheard of! Why? The
answer is simple. He did all of that so that you and I can be empowered today. So
that you and I can do greater than he did.
As a leader, the objective is to be effective. To show others
their greatness. To empower the weak and stand beside the strong. Others will
never see their greatness as long as they are walking in your shadow. Stand
aside and allow their light to shine.
Great leaders are flexible, adaptable and effective. The next
time you find yourself in a situations that seems hopeless, try using the Jesus
Model. It worked for the creator of the universe. It will work for you.
Embrace your greatness and help others embrace theirs.