Servant First Leadership

The term "Servant Leader" was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf. Mr. Greenleaf was a management consultant in the early 20th century. During his career he began to realize that the authoritarian style of leadership that predominated American corporations was not effective (ref Wikipedia). To address the problem, he founded the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership. He described leadership in this way:

The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead (Essentials, Greenleaf.)

Of course, the concept of servant leadership was not novel. We learn about this from example in scripture. Recall when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples (John 13:1-17.) Peter objected. He did not want his Lord to wash his feet, yet Jesus insisted; he demanded that Peter would accept it or he'd have nothing to do with him. Peter, of course, relented and would have had Jesus wash his whole body.

But why did Jesus do this? Why did the Lord of Heaven and Earth lower himself so? Well, he explains it at the end of the passage:

 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you (John 13:15)

 He was telling his disciplines, the very ones he had chosen to lead the Church, to become servants! This is, in fact, the example that Jesus had already set, as he travelled around caring for everyone he met. The act of washing their feet was to punctuate the point.

So, when you find yourself in a position of leadership, ask yourself if you are serving those you lead. Are you building them up? Are you helping them to meet their goals? Are you showing them how to serve? If you are not, perhaps you should step back and learn to serve first, then aspire to lead.