The Leadership of Jesus
The Leadership of Jesus
The question of whether leaders are born or can be taught is one that is common in leadership discussions. My personal opinion is that leaders can be taught, and should be taught by studying the principles and practices by which our history's most effective leaders led. Furthermore; it is important to realize that leadership through hierarchies is quickly becoming inferior to leadership through service and having a joint vision shared by all those affected by this leader. Jesus was such a leader; a servant leader. Jesus said, "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25-28 New International Version). Jesus was a remarkable servant leader who led his followers as a team player, teacher and a strategist. Jesus did not lead by a ranking system or by giving orders, he led by the examples he set and his resulting actions, and he led by compassion, humility and integrity. Jesus had a mission; he then acted to fulfill this mission through his disciples and his teachings. His strategic leadership involved teaching by example, never losing focus on the foundation of his teachings, and always acting through faith. This paper intends to elaborate on the main principles and practices of this great leader, and provide examples of how the leadership of Jesus is used or should be used extensively today. Jesus' mission was to reach all people with the Gospel that revealed him as the son of God who would liberate God's people by offering Himself as the agreed sacrifice. He did, however, understand the immensity of this task and therefore concentrated on forming and training twelve ordinary men to carry on the teachings of this Gospel. Jesus was able to bond these men of various backgrounds and they would follow him and sacrifice everything. Jesus said to them:
The question of whether leaders are born or can be taught is one that is common in leadership discussions. My personal opinion is that leaders can be taught, and should be taught by studying the principles and practices by which our history's most effective leaders led. Furthermore; it is important to realize that leadership through hierarchies is quickly becoming inferior to leadership through service and having a joint vision shared by all those affected by this leader. Jesus was such a leader; a servant leader. Jesus said, "whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:25-28 New International Version). Jesus was a remarkable servant leader who led his followers as a team player, teacher and a strategist. Jesus did not lead by a ranking system or by giving orders, he led by the examples he set and his resulting actions, and he led by compassion, humility and integrity. Jesus had a mission; he then acted to fulfill this mission through his disciples and his teachings. His strategic leadership involved teaching by example, never losing focus on the foundation of his teachings, and always acting through faith. This paper intends to elaborate on the main principles and practices of this great leader, and provide examples of how the leadership of Jesus is used or should be used extensively today. Jesus' mission was to reach all people with the Gospel that revealed him as the son of God who would liberate God's people by offering Himself as the agreed sacrifice. He did, however, understand the immensity of this task and therefore concentrated on forming and training twelve ordinary men to carry on the teachings of this Gospel. Jesus was able to bond these men of various backgrounds and they would follow him and sacrifice everything. Jesus said to them: