Being a Servant Leader Pays Dividends
Leadership is one of those subjects that, at least for me, is a bit difficult to grasp. I don’t have a lot of practice in it, I’ve never really led a team (aside from a couple of employees here and there, but I’m pretty sure I was terrible at guiding them). I found that I could learn all sorts of leadership skills, but they were very different to put into practice.
With the exception of servant leadership. A concept that is demonstrated to us by Jesus through his interactions and leadership of the disciples.
Does Jesus Tell us to be Servant Leaders?
In Matthew 20, James and John’s mother has an interesting request. She asks that her sons get to sit at the right and left hand of Jesus after he returns to Heaven. It seems a bit bold, but as a parent I get where she’s coming from. Jesus says it’s not for him to grant that honor, but then he goes on to explain how one can be elevated to an admired leader status.
“… But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave.” (Matthew 20:26-27 ESV)
In this simple sentence, Jesus is explaining that true greatness doesn’t come from flaunting your authority, lording it over people, or actively putting others down. Instead, true greatness comes from serving each other, even as a slave serves their master, and as Jesus himself did for the disciples and the world.
How Can we Show Servant Leadership?
In John chapter 13 we read about how Jesus is getting close to the day of his death. He knows this day is coming, and I can’t even imagine how stressed he must feel. He knows it’s not going to be peaceful, it won’t be easy, and it’s going to hurt a lot.
The night before he dies, they’re all eating their dinner, and Jesus gets up. He takes off his jacket, pours some water into a basin, and drops down onto his knees in front of each of the disciples – including Judas, knowing full well Judas would betray him later that night.
He carefully washed their feet, drying them as he went along.
What Does it Mean to Serve in the Modern Era?
We don’t wash each other’s’ feet anymore. Back in the Bible times people wore sandals and the roads were dusty. Feet were especially dirty, and to show compassion, respect, and gratitude to your guests, you would wash their feet. Guests would then be more comfortable as the evening went on.
Really, it’s not about the feet specifically. It’s about being the person in authority, but literally lowering yourself to your knees and humbly doing a task that’s dirty, maybe a little gross, and one that makes someone else’s life a little bit better.
In our lives today, how can we see that work?
It could be by cutting your own pay so your employees get a livable wage. Perhaps it’s going above and beyond on projects to make sure the customers are happy and take care of. Maybe you’re the CEO and the janitor calls in sick – it’s taking off your suit jacket and doing the janitor’s job so the building stays clean while he or she is recovering.
If anything comes up that a response is “That’s not my job.” Then take a step back and think about why it’s not your job, and see if it’s something that could be your job if you allow yourself to be humble and lead as a servant.
How Does that Apply to a Ghostwriter?
Today, I don’t have employees. I don’t manage a team, I don’t direct a group, and I don’t really want to do that. Leading employees, I discovered, was not something I thrived on.
What I do have, though, is clients and customers.
As a ghostwriter, I’m helping them get their story into book form, so they can reach a huge audience of avid readers. It’s a financial commitment on their end, so I have two easily seen ways to act as a servant.
One, I’ll free up my schedule so it matches theirs. I’m not strong arming them into meeting when I’m available. Sometimes that means an early morning, an evening, or even weekend appointments.
Second, I’m crafting the most exquisite, the most delightful, the best book ever to be written in the history of mankind! Well, maybe that’s a stretch, but I’m not cheaping out or rushing through things. I’m cutting into my own time, if necessary, to ensure that book hits hard.
Have you always thought about writing a book? Not sure how to get it done? Find a time on my calendar and let’s talk about what you have going on. Don’t see a time? Email me, I’ll make sure to free up the time so you have my undivided attention.