Whoever Wants to Become Great among You Must Be Your Servant, and Whoever Wants First Must Be Your Slave - Essay Example

Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants first must be your slave.” (Matthew 20: 26, 27). The Bible is the perfect source from which we can extract all the necessary qualities to be possessed by a servant- leader. Jesus Christ himself is the best icon who embodies the qualities of servant leadership. In the present era, ordinary leadership skills alone would not suffice the global requirements. The perfect servant leader has to act with integrity and spirit, has an important role in building trust and in helping his/her followers grow to their fullest. Among the numerous attributes those which are central to the character and behaviour of a servant- leader, the most celebrated ones are seven in number. I strongly believe that as a servant of God, my thoughts and day to day deeds do overlap with these attributes. Agapo love A servant leader should demonstrate agapo love, which is the ‘moral love’ that enables the servant leader to do the right thing at the right time for the right reason. I do consider my employees and co-workers as the prime concern in taking decisions in all professional and official matters; organization comes as a secondary concern, in most cases. I am equally committed to the growth of my employees and co-workers and take interest in their well being as I do for the members of my family. Humility “He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles” (Acts, 9: 15). God has got a definite plan about every individual in the world. Hence to wait for his glory with humility is my duty in life. Yet, I understand that being humble, to wait for His plans is not to remain passive. Neither is it to become overly modest. Therefore, my responsibility as a leader is to listen to others’ opinions, even if they are contrary to mine. So also I admit all my disabilities which are given to me in this life without complaining, trying to perform to the fullest with whatever I have at hand. Altruism Ability to place others before oneself is something that is slowly disappearing from the present day world. The Bible says, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (James 1: 27). I believe that every leader should have a moral obligation towards humanity, and I base my actions on the principle that helping for the sake of help and not for personal benefits should be the thumb rule. Yet, I always keep my moral obligation to my family which is also a part of being altruistic, which never becomes my last priority. Trust Mutual trust is the secret behind the success of any enterprise. The level of confidence that an individual has in another person’s competence forms its basis. Quoting Mother Teresa “I know God will not give me anything I cant handle.” This is the supreme example of trust which I believe everyone can copy to their lives. My un-doubtful trust in God has always helped me in gaining the trust of others, and I believe trust in one’s followers, and in those dependant on you will reciprocate in the same degree. To be a visionary Wisdom and courage in the perfect combination gives rise to men of admirable character. To be a visionary for one’s followers one has to be aware in each and every moment that leadership is not just a position to be adorned, more than that, everything one does as a leader should be coupled with moments of reflection. I think that the ability to listen to what others say, to ponder over what is being said and what is not said has always helped me so far, in different walks of my life, both in my personal life and in my profession. I have always tried to listen to my inner voice before deciding on what I have to do and in judging whatever has ever come across my ears. A minimum level of introversion has helped me to be extremely focused in my actions and thoughts. Empowerment “Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.” (Psalm 27:3). Citations from the Bible for God’s powerful blessings that empower his children at heart, making them confident in their lives are golden rules for his followers. As a servant-leader I have always tried to help those with whom I have come into contact within the bounds and limitations with which I am born, at the same instance making use of all qualities I am blessed with too. Empowering individuals and families is part of my work, and it includes helping the needy in psychological, financial, spiritual or in all possible ways as the situation demands. People confiding in me at times of distress and pain have allowed me to serve them as a servant of God. Service “Faith without deeds is dead.” (James 2: 26). As a perfect leader supplementing faith with service is my duty. Serving my fellow beings as a part of service to God and to make my deeds truthful to what I preach is my mission. Charity begins always from home. Keeping this in mind, I have always served my family without losing the balance between job and home. To be a loving member in the family and serving family members has always been a thing of high priority and concern. To serve others with humility, I have always kept away my ego and thoughts of false prestige which has helped me in refining myself and in building an empathetic attitude to others. As a servant-leader I have always tried to keep a balance between the roles I have to perform in a bigger society and within the confines of my family. As a major bread-winner at home, as a loyal husband and a supporting father, my services to my family are equally relevant and to become a servant-leader inside the family is in itself of great value, as far as I am concerned. I have always tried to be a model to myself, my wife and children in performing all my deeds and I have always looked upon God who has answered me in my prayers, at times of all family crises. Likewise, my family members have always been supportive in my efforts and their role in my effective performance as a servant-leader is never forgettable. The care with which they co-operate with me and get involved in balancing my work and home has always made my life easier. Personal goals that have to be fulfilled in the near future have never been ignored along the way. I understand that God has got plans for me which I should work out with all my efforts. Here, my priorities include completing my degree, establishing myself as a consultant and to use my leadership skills as perfect as possible in the real estate business in which I am involved. Helping my wife in attaining her career goals also form a part of my personal goals. An ideal servant leader is a person who sees oneself as a servant in the first place, and later visualizes oneself as a leader. This has served as the key for me to live successfully as a leader, who is serving the family, and the society to which I belong and finally, the larger community of the globe all at the same time. Read More