In today’s world. a lot is said about our leaders. It never ceases to amaze me how so many people can be for and so many against anyone who is any kind of leader. Just recently we lost to the world one believed to be a wonderful and great leader to an assassin’s bullet. It is a matter of opinion whether or not, and to what degree, this man was a leader.
With that, we remember Mack Anderson, who said: “Like every human being, I have doubts, fears and disappointments… As leaders, however, we must manage our attitude… we can’t underestimate the influence of our actions and attitudes.”
Winston Churchill said: “The price of leadership is responsibility to stay positive whether you feel like it or not.” A good leader launches out before success is certain, doesn’t run from confrontation, talks about his own mistakes before anybody else’s and acknowledges them before others have to discover and reveal them. He looks for opportunities to find his teammates doing something right and encourages the smallest improvement. He doesn’t tolerate murmuring in himself or in others, is specific in his expectations, values accountability, and does what’s right instead of what’s popular or convenient.
What does the word “servant” bring to your mind? The guy who works behind the scenes? The personal assistant who makes you look good? The mate who worked so you could complete your degree?
Charles Stanley said: “Godly servants are all around us, but we often take them for granted. This is a tragedy we need to correct — not only for their sakes but for our own. Their faithful service brings untold blessings. Wherever the biblical character Joseph went, the people he served were blessed. One of his bosses, named Potiphar, wasn’t a God-fearing man, yet he prospered because of Joseph. Find the people in your life who have the gift of godly service and spend time with them… When you turn your nose up at someone doing ‘servant’s work,’ you cut yourself off from a relationship that could literally change your life.”
Michael Bruner writes about how, as a brash young college student, he attended a lecture by a former U.S. attorney general. He says: “Afterwards I approached him to see if we could meet for coffee. To his associates’ shock, he said, ‘How about tomorrow?’
We met and talked for an hour. I peppered him with questions. What famous people had he met? What was it like to be attorney general in the ’60s? When I asked him who was the greatest person he’d ever met, he said, ‘I don’t think of people in those terms.’ He went on to tell me something I’ll never forget: ‘Don’t ever seek to be the greatest. Seek instead to do great things. If you aspire to greatness, your greatness will die with you. But if you aspire to do great things, your legacy will live on. The only way to do this is by being a servant. Lead by serving and you’ll do great things.’
I was too young in the faith to know he’d taken those words from Scripture. Jesus was the embodiment of servant leadership. He didn’t just tell the disciples what they should do — he did it along with them.”
Each of us has the potential to be great — not famous, but great — because greatness comes by serving. Be great! More than just a leader, be a servant. Just think how much that defined word “serving” can sound synonymous with “love.” Isn’t that truly what we’re supposed to be about: loving one another?
