Everyday during your work, jobs and deeds go unnoticed. Sometimes even a job well done will go unrecognized. How does that make you feel? It can be difficult doing a task that will take you over and above what is expected of you and no one recognizes you for it. We continue our look at servant leadership.
Today's verse:
Matthew 6:3-4 But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.
Another sign of a true servant leader is someone who gives and gives and gives but never wants recognition. It is like those people who give an anonymous gift and ask nothing in return. They don't want the accolades or the praise they just want to know that they did something right.
When you work you are working for money so your reward is your pay. Within that job however you may find yourself going above and beyond. Sometimes you might even find yourself wondering why no one is praising you for the extra work you are doing. A servant leader can't worry about that. They just want to serve. By serving they are leading they are showing humility.
Leaders must be careful not to grasp onto the power that is around them but instead embrace the quietness of giving by secretly serving. If you are going to volunteer to do something do you announce it so everyone knows? Don't make a big scene out of doing your job or even if you volunteer. Jesus didn't walk around saying "I am going to heal this man" He would just do it and let his deeds speak for themselves. Leaders need to do the same.
Questions to Ponder:
Am I serving without looking for some reward?
In what ways can I serve privately on my job?
Serve in silence and reap the higher calling reward.
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Monday, April 09, 2012
It's All About Attitude
Today we continue our series on Servant leadership and the comparisons to Jesus. Jesus was the ultimate servant leader and it is His examples of servant leadership that we can embrace and follow.
Today's verse:
Philippians 2:5-7 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."
Jesus took on the attitude of a servant. He knew that in order to help us He had to become one of us. He humbled Himself and became a leader by serving. We have to take on that same attitude. Often leaders will exalt themselves above their employees and deem tasks too menial to do. Until the leader feels what it is like to be in that position they can't help the employees be successful.
Leaders can feel the pain of what it is like by having the attitude of their employees. You might say someone needs to lead. I think when a leader has a servant attitude then they are leading because they are showing others what it takes to serve. Then through that serving people will find success.
Think of a time when you served. When you did how did you feel after serving? Did you learn anything during that time of serving? My most satisfying jobs have been those in which I served others. It can be a customer service position, nursing, teaching or a number of other positions that can be construed as service positions. Those are the ones that can sometimes be the most satisfying.
Questions to Ponder:
What is my attitude? Power hungry leader or Servant leader.
What can I do in my job that displays a servant leadership attitude?
Serve with attitude!!
Today's verse:
Philippians 2:5-7 "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men."
Jesus took on the attitude of a servant. He knew that in order to help us He had to become one of us. He humbled Himself and became a leader by serving. We have to take on that same attitude. Often leaders will exalt themselves above their employees and deem tasks too menial to do. Until the leader feels what it is like to be in that position they can't help the employees be successful.
Leaders can feel the pain of what it is like by having the attitude of their employees. You might say someone needs to lead. I think when a leader has a servant attitude then they are leading because they are showing others what it takes to serve. Then through that serving people will find success.
Think of a time when you served. When you did how did you feel after serving? Did you learn anything during that time of serving? My most satisfying jobs have been those in which I served others. It can be a customer service position, nursing, teaching or a number of other positions that can be construed as service positions. Those are the ones that can sometimes be the most satisfying.
Questions to Ponder:
What is my attitude? Power hungry leader or Servant leader.
What can I do in my job that displays a servant leadership attitude?
Serve with attitude!!
Sunday, April 08, 2012
Empty Tomb
Today is Easter. The most important holiday for Christians. It is the day the Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. Without His resurrection His death on the cross would have meant nothing. As the saying goes "He is risen, He is risen indeed". Today is a day about joy that Jesus is alive and He has paid the price for our sins.
Take time today to spend at church reflecting on what Jesus did for you. It is also a great day to spend with family and friends. Many kids across the globe will be hunting for Easter baskets and eggs (no connection to the empty tomb). The egg part is fun if you are a kid. Make sure to keep things in perspective.
Your leadership should take a backseat today to the leadership of Christ. He was a great leader by serving us and giving His life for us. Enjoy that and enjoy your family today. Hopefully you will feast around the table enjoying the food and the company.
Take your mind off of all that leadership work you have been doing and enjoy the warmth of your family and the bright smiles of children. We spent some time on Saturday coloring eggs. The kids enjoy it and it is fun to see that as they get older they get more creative with their coloring of the eggs.
Here are some photos of my kid's egg coloring.
Take time today to spend at church reflecting on what Jesus did for you. It is also a great day to spend with family and friends. Many kids across the globe will be hunting for Easter baskets and eggs (no connection to the empty tomb). The egg part is fun if you are a kid. Make sure to keep things in perspective.
Your leadership should take a backseat today to the leadership of Christ. He was a great leader by serving us and giving His life for us. Enjoy that and enjoy your family today. Hopefully you will feast around the table enjoying the food and the company.
Take your mind off of all that leadership work you have been doing and enjoy the warmth of your family and the bright smiles of children. We spent some time on Saturday coloring eggs. The kids enjoy it and it is fun to see that as they get older they get more creative with their coloring of the eggs.
Friday, April 06, 2012
Socialization
We are looking at Servant Leadership by examining the life of Jesus and how He was a servant leader.
Today's verse:
Luke 5:29 - 30 "Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?""
In these verses Jesus is socializing with sinners. The low-lifes of society. That is why Jesus was here on earth to save those who were lost. To reach out to those low-lifes and let them know that they could live the high life if they just followed Him.
So how does this relate to servant leadership? Sometimes leaders have to do things they don't like. Sometimes a leader has to take on a menial task to complete a project or get the job done. Sometimes leaders need to do something they don't like to do.
When a leader avoids these situations they are sending a message to their followers that they are better than this task and that they are above doing these types of chores. A servant leader is willing to get down and do what it takes to get the job done. Maybe it is filling in for a sick employee or working late with your employees to complete a project.Servant leaders do these things, regular leaders do not.
Jesus was a servant leader because He was willing to do what it took to get the job done. Even if it meant socializing with the low-lifes. When Jesus did this He was able to connect with the people and they respected Him for it. However the upper management didn't think He should be socializing with the lower class.
A servant leader not only gets their hands dirty but does so by working with the regular employees. Serving the employees and the company to make sure everyone is successful.
Questions to Ponder:
Do I think I am above doing the tasks of my employees?
What are some ways I can serve my employees?
You are a better leader if you can show your employees that no job is too small or unimportant.
Don't be prideful, be a servant leader.
Today's verse:
Luke 5:29 - 30 "Then Levi gave Him a great feast in his own house. And there were a great number of tax collectors and others who sat down with them. And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?""
In these verses Jesus is socializing with sinners. The low-lifes of society. That is why Jesus was here on earth to save those who were lost. To reach out to those low-lifes and let them know that they could live the high life if they just followed Him.
So how does this relate to servant leadership? Sometimes leaders have to do things they don't like. Sometimes a leader has to take on a menial task to complete a project or get the job done. Sometimes leaders need to do something they don't like to do.
When a leader avoids these situations they are sending a message to their followers that they are better than this task and that they are above doing these types of chores. A servant leader is willing to get down and do what it takes to get the job done. Maybe it is filling in for a sick employee or working late with your employees to complete a project.Servant leaders do these things, regular leaders do not.
Jesus was a servant leader because He was willing to do what it took to get the job done. Even if it meant socializing with the low-lifes. When Jesus did this He was able to connect with the people and they respected Him for it. However the upper management didn't think He should be socializing with the lower class.
A servant leader not only gets their hands dirty but does so by working with the regular employees. Serving the employees and the company to make sure everyone is successful.
Questions to Ponder:
Do I think I am above doing the tasks of my employees?
What are some ways I can serve my employees?
You are a better leader if you can show your employees that no job is too small or unimportant.
Don't be prideful, be a servant leader.
Thursday, April 05, 2012
Ransom Note
Servant leadership, the style that seems contrary to being a leader but the one that is the most satisfying for everyone involved. I started yesterday with a deeper dive into Servant leadership and specifically Jesus as the ultimate servant leader.
Today's verse: Matthew 20:27-28
"And whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many."
These words were spoken by Jesus to his disciples. He was showing them that it is more important to serve than to be served. Another important aspect of servant leadership is that of the humble leader. The person who is willing to give it up for the people the person who is will to take a hit or pay the price to save those around them.
Leadership really isn't about being the best or the greatest. It isn't about lording over those around you or puffing up in pride to show how great a leader you are. On the contrary, leadership is about humbling yourself and being willing to go to bat for your people. Jesus ultimately gave His life so that we all could be saved. he paid the ransom note with his life instead of making us take the punishment for our sins.
Leaders in business need to realize that they are their to help the company be successful. If that means taking the heat for something your people did than so be it. Ultimately if you are a leader and you manage others you are responsible for their actions. If they mess up the leader should take responsibility and then make sure the person is properly trained.
Jesus was referring in this verse that those who really want to be great should serve others. Serving is the ultimate gesture to greatness. But serving must also be done with a humble heart and no ulterior motives.
Give your life a ransom for many and serve!!
Questions to ponder:
Who can I serve that will make them a better employee or person?
Do I desire greatness? What can I do to serve?
Lord help me be humble and have a servant attitude.
Today's verse: Matthew 20:27-28
"And whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your slave-- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give His life a ransom for many."
These words were spoken by Jesus to his disciples. He was showing them that it is more important to serve than to be served. Another important aspect of servant leadership is that of the humble leader. The person who is willing to give it up for the people the person who is will to take a hit or pay the price to save those around them.
Leadership really isn't about being the best or the greatest. It isn't about lording over those around you or puffing up in pride to show how great a leader you are. On the contrary, leadership is about humbling yourself and being willing to go to bat for your people. Jesus ultimately gave His life so that we all could be saved. he paid the ransom note with his life instead of making us take the punishment for our sins.
Leaders in business need to realize that they are their to help the company be successful. If that means taking the heat for something your people did than so be it. Ultimately if you are a leader and you manage others you are responsible for their actions. If they mess up the leader should take responsibility and then make sure the person is properly trained.
Jesus was referring in this verse that those who really want to be great should serve others. Serving is the ultimate gesture to greatness. But serving must also be done with a humble heart and no ulterior motives.
Give your life a ransom for many and serve!!
Questions to ponder:
Who can I serve that will make them a better employee or person?
Do I desire greatness? What can I do to serve?
Lord help me be humble and have a servant attitude.
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Washing Feet
During the next several days I am going to take a closer look at servant leadership. Specifically I am going to look at the ultimate servant leader, Jesus. During these blogs I am going to give you a verse and then I will look at those verses and how they relate to servant leadership.
John 13:5 "After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the desciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."
Feet are not the prettiest appendage. Back in Jesus time feet were a major way to get around so it isn't surprising that the feet were quite filthy and needed to be washed. Most people didn't wash other people's feet. Back during this time footwashing was usually reserved for the lowliest of menial servants. In these verses we see Jesus washing the feet of those who were following Him.
How does this relate to servant leadership? According to Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership "Servant leadership is a persons desire or need to serve first then lead later". It is that opportunity to find something to do for other people and not be so self serving. Hours before he was going to be turned over to the authorities and put to death Jesus found it in his heart to serve. He knelt down and served those who were following Him.
Leaders today need to find ways to serve those that follow them. Leadership isn't this great big self serving concept. It really comes down to the ability to find ways to help others despite your circumstances. For Example: A leader of a company finds out that s/he is being let go. Some might take that as a personal affront and have animosity toward the company. Instead I suggest they find ways to make sure those who follow are equipped and ready to proceed without him/her. That is what Jesus was doing He was equipping His disciples with clean feet so they could take the gospel to all corners and be ready to be leaders after Jesus left.
Some questions to ponder:
Are you a foot washing leader? (Are you equipping your people to be leaders)
What are some ways you can serve those who follow you?
Ask God to give you the wisdom needed to be a foot washing leader.
John 13:5 "After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the desciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded."
Feet are not the prettiest appendage. Back in Jesus time feet were a major way to get around so it isn't surprising that the feet were quite filthy and needed to be washed. Most people didn't wash other people's feet. Back during this time footwashing was usually reserved for the lowliest of menial servants. In these verses we see Jesus washing the feet of those who were following Him.
How does this relate to servant leadership? According to Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership "Servant leadership is a persons desire or need to serve first then lead later". It is that opportunity to find something to do for other people and not be so self serving. Hours before he was going to be turned over to the authorities and put to death Jesus found it in his heart to serve. He knelt down and served those who were following Him.
Leaders today need to find ways to serve those that follow them. Leadership isn't this great big self serving concept. It really comes down to the ability to find ways to help others despite your circumstances. For Example: A leader of a company finds out that s/he is being let go. Some might take that as a personal affront and have animosity toward the company. Instead I suggest they find ways to make sure those who follow are equipped and ready to proceed without him/her. That is what Jesus was doing He was equipping His disciples with clean feet so they could take the gospel to all corners and be ready to be leaders after Jesus left.
Some questions to ponder:
Are you a foot washing leader? (Are you equipping your people to be leaders)
What are some ways you can serve those who follow you?
Ask God to give you the wisdom needed to be a foot washing leader.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Servant Leadership
This week we are going to look at various leadership styles. I will look at a few that are commonplace within the leadership institution and a few unique styles. Today I want to look at Servant Leadership these won't be deep dives into the styles but more of a general overview and my opinion of the style.
The phrase “Servant Leadership” was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970. This is from the following webpage Greenleaf Center. The term "Servant Leadership" has only been around since 1970 but the concept is been around since the beginning of time. Jesus was the ultimate Servant leader in that He was willing to lay down His life for others.
It is that mentality that a leader should have if they want to drive success in their followers. Servant Leadership isn't a me first leadership style. Instead it is a you first leadership style. The leader is always looking for ways to improve and grow those around him/her. They are willing to serve first and lead second. By doing this they really become a leader.
You may have heard the phrase "Do as I say not as I do". A servant leader uses the motto "Do as I do and say". Showing others how to serve is in my belief the ultimate in leadership skills. If you look at the Gospels and read about everything Jesus did it was all about serving. He healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry and washed his disciples feet. He served and the more He served the larger the crowds became who followed Him.
Are you a servant leader? Are you willing to lay down your life for your followers? Do you have what it takes to be the ultimate leader, a servant leader. That is not to say all the other leadership styles are no good or don't work, because they do work. I just believe that Servant Leadership is the best way to lead a group of people. It shows you care about them and not your own special interests.
Go and find a group to serve.
The phrase “Servant Leadership” was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in The Servant as Leader, an essay that he first published in 1970. This is from the following webpage Greenleaf Center. The term "Servant Leadership" has only been around since 1970 but the concept is been around since the beginning of time. Jesus was the ultimate Servant leader in that He was willing to lay down His life for others.
It is that mentality that a leader should have if they want to drive success in their followers. Servant Leadership isn't a me first leadership style. Instead it is a you first leadership style. The leader is always looking for ways to improve and grow those around him/her. They are willing to serve first and lead second. By doing this they really become a leader.
You may have heard the phrase "Do as I say not as I do". A servant leader uses the motto "Do as I do and say". Showing others how to serve is in my belief the ultimate in leadership skills. If you look at the Gospels and read about everything Jesus did it was all about serving. He healed the sick, raised the dead, fed the hungry and washed his disciples feet. He served and the more He served the larger the crowds became who followed Him.
Are you a servant leader? Are you willing to lay down your life for your followers? Do you have what it takes to be the ultimate leader, a servant leader. That is not to say all the other leadership styles are no good or don't work, because they do work. I just believe that Servant Leadership is the best way to lead a group of people. It shows you care about them and not your own special interests.
Go and find a group to serve.
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