Jesus Leadership Principles - Essay Example

? Jesus’ Leadership Principles Jesus’ Leadership Principles Jesus Christ lived over 2000 years ago, but his teachings have had immense significance in the two millenniums. Unlike other global icons whose legacies fade over time, Jesus’ teachings have surpassed the test of time and the number of people adhering to his teachings has been increasing. In the gospel books of the bible, one finds the fundamental teachings and leadership principles that Jesus promoted. According to Maxwell and Blackaby, the principles of leadership outlined and applied by Jesus can transform the kind of leadership in the globe today. Maxwell has identified ten of these leadership principles. This paper will discuss the relevance of these principles to secular leadership. According to Matthew chapter 20 verses twenty five to twenty eight, Jesus designed an intriguing model that implied a critical principle in leadership. The act of washing the feet of his disciples implied that servant-hood is a defining aspect of leadership. The account reveals that Jesus washed the feet of all disciples including his betrayer Judas Iscariot. Although he held the position of master, with the disciples working under his instruction, he chose to assume the level of servant. Leaders in the globe today can benefit from this principle by realizing that they have the duty to serve the people they lead (Maxwell, & Elmore, 2007). This principle can transform global leadership immensely if the leaders realized the crucial servitude role that they have to play. According to Luke chapter seven verse twenty two and John fourteen verses eleven, it becomes evident that Jesus urged his disciples to live according to the standards they preached even before expecting others to adopt them. Jesus refrained from letting mere words define who he was or reveal his inherent powers. On the contrary, he gave the people draw conclusions from his actions. For example, the scripture from Luke highlights his response to John’s disciples send to inquire whether he was the messiah everyone had expected. Jesus advised them to relate to John his actions. This principle has become a central concept emphasized in transformational leadership forums. If leaders can adopt this principle to guide their daily activities, it would prove easier for a leader’s followers to demonstrate a commitment to the organizational goals, because the leaders exhibit exemplary commitment (Maxwell, & Elmore, 2007). Matthew chapter six verse thirty three highlights an additional principle that Jesus advised his followers to consider. Setting priorities is a critical aspect for a nay leader, especially with the current dynamism that presents leaders with overwhelming responsibilities. The emphasis that Jesus gave in the verse mentioned highlights the importance of putting each activity in its right place, and avoiding distraction. The benefits of setting priorities may have received too much emphasis, but the emphasis only indicates the centrality of the matter to effective leadership. Global leaders have realized the significance of this aspect, and global leadership forums seek to empower leaders to exhibit the capacity of setting priorities. Jesus Christ made it clear that impacts in leadership were the results of relationships and not positions. Since Jesus realized the significance of establishing relationships with people, he made efforts of reaching out to them. He took the initiative of going to all the places where he could find peoples. John chapter five verses five to thirty illustrate his encounter with the Samaritan woman after his ministry. Moreover, chapter eight and verses one to eleven of the same book indicate that he went to the synagogue. Apparently, Jesus sought people, and showed great interest in them. Demonstrating personal interest in people moved them to listen to his message. It is unfortunate that some leaders today have no impact on the people because the leaders have focussed on their positions instead of exhibiting interest in the people and reaching out to them regardless of their status (Maxwell, & Elmore, 2007). It is critical for these leaders to adjust their focus and become accessible to the people. According to Jesus, there was need for leaders to replenish themselves after delivering to the people. According to Mark chapter one verse thirty five, Jesus took the initiative of waking up early in order to afford time for prayer. His ministry required energy and the help of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, taking time alone gave him the opportunity of getting rejuvenated through prayer. Leaders should emulate this example, and spare some time to replenish their supply of knowledge and skills. Failure to replenish and reenergize oneself can present detrimental effects. Leaders who dot take time to rejuvenate are subject to the developing depression because of the overwhelming tasks. Jesus highlighted to his disciples that leadership required an individual to live up to a certain commitment. According to Mark chapter eight verse thirty four, Jesus mentioned that being his follower needed an individual to disown himself and take up the entire responsibility of following Jesus. The disciples only succeeded in their ministry after Jesus’ ascension because Jesus had forewarned them that commitment was critical. He revealed to them that the course would present multiple challenges, emphasizing the significance of resilience. Similarly, every venture in the leadership world presents multiple challenges. Leaders should strive to create awareness of the challenges to their followers. Leaders should refrain from painting distorted pictures to their followers. An effective leader should help his or her followers to think proactively regarding potential challenges (Blackaby, & Blackaby, 2011). According to Mark chapter eleven verses twenty seven to thirty three, Jesus demonstrated that a leader should exhibit security when tackling difficult situations. In this account, the Pharisees intended to fix Jesus, but they did not succeed. As the account illustrates, Jesus handled the issue with composure, calmness and used a rational approach. In other occasions, when difficulties seemed to overwhelm him, he sought divine intervention through prayer as he did in Matthew chapter twenty six verses forty four to forty six. Similarly, leaders today can demonstrate such attributes when handling difficult situations. During such times, they should exhibit a high level of composure, and use rational approaches to solve the issue. Moreover, consulting people with expertise can be resourceful for a leader. The gospel books present numerous accounts of Jesus solving the problems of the people and meeting their needs. Jesus that coming to the rescue of the people from their persistent problems was central in earning his ministry credibility. In Luke chapter five and verses twelve, Jesus healed a leper, delivering him from the devastation and isolation resulting from leprosy. Similarly, leaders should realize that they should strive to address the grievances of the people, and ensure that basic services that meet the needs of the people are easily accessible. Some leaders who fail to address the concerns of the people have lost their credibility. Emulating the example of Jesus should enable these leaders to lead at a higher level. According to Mark chapter three and verse fourteen, Jesus ensured the progression of his type of leadership by choosing the disciples who would serve as his successors in his ministry. Jesus realized that he needed to impart them with the right attitude and relevant skills, in order to qualify them for the ministry. The emergence of transformational leadership emphasizes on the importance of leaders to transform some of his followers to become future leaders. This type of leadership nurtures growth of the followers, presenting them to achieve self-actualization. Such growth prepares the followers for future leadership (Blackaby, & Blackaby, 2011). This shows the relevance of Jesus’ leadership principles in current leaderships. He helped the disciples to discover a higher purpose. After training the disciples for three years, he commissioned them to become his successors (Matthew 28:20). He realized that any great leadership needed successors who would impact other generations with similar values. Through the three years he worked alongside them, he made it apparent that they would be his successors. Global leaders have faced challenges in identifying suitable successors. Most of the organisations prefer democratic determinations of successors, and this explains why different regimes differ immensely. As described above, it is evident that Jesus leadership attributes present standards by which current leaders can challenge themselves. Since he presented a model for the most effective leader because of hi perfect nature, it is critical for leaders to meditate on the leadership principles that he exhibited and strive to apply them. His leadership principles explain why his successors have adhered to his ministry until now. Evidently, these principles are of great relevance to all the leaders who seek to create impact. References Blackaby, H. T., & Blackaby, R. (2011). Spiritual Leadership: Moving people on to God's agenda. Nashville, Tenn: B & H Pub. Group. Maxwell, J.C. & Elmore, T. (2007). The Maxwell Leadership Bible (2nd ed.). Thomas Nelson: Nashville, TN. Read More