Art Rainer with Church Leaders has penned a short – yet hard hitting – article reminding us of some positive and/or necessary attributes for being an effective leader in your workplace, ministry or church.
As stated in the title, this article talks about the tendency for leaders to sometimes be overly self-focused.
The Church Leaders article may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, I remember in the military the phrase was “if you take care of the troops, the troops will take care of you.” I also remember past teaching and preaching about leadership in the kingdom of God being upside down in comparison to the “secular” leadership of the world. Of course, our faith should drive our approach in the workplace too, but you get the point.
In my own experience, I’ve found it to be true that in our workplaces our managers or leaders (they’re not the same – but that’s for another day) tend to use, manipulate or work exceedingly hard to make themselves look better, rather than making a genuine effort to see each employee as God sees them (or us), as His children made in His image and likeness.
Sometimes it’s our own fears or ambition causing us to lead others in a manner that leaves a zero percent chance of us looking anything less than “perfect” and to focus on “the goal” to the complete exclusion of what’s best for the other person. The thought of actually empowering a subordinate employee would be horrifying!
I believe it’s true that we should love our neighbors (and even our coworkers or fellow ministers) as ourselves, and that by doing so, we shine the truth and the light of Jesus. If we remain humble yet strong, this sort of leadership lifts up others and brings all the glory to God – meaning that a leader does not have to be overly self-focused to be successful in the long run!
Philippians 2:3 (NKJV)
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Praise Jesus forevermore!